How to Scan a Hard Drive With the Error Checking Tool
Scanning your hard drive with the Error Checking tool can identify, and possibly correct, a range of hard drive errors. The Windows Error Checking tool is the graphical version of the command-line chkdsk command, which is still available and offers more advanced options than Error Checking. Error Checking is available in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, but there are differences as shown. File Explorer is available via a quick search, too. Windows Explorer, in earlier versions of Windows, is also available via Computer or My Computer in the Start menu.
Windows 11, 10 & 8: Choose Check followed by Scan drive, and then skip down to Step 8.Windows 7, Vista, & XP: Choose Check now and then continue with Step 6.
Automatically fix file system errors will, if possible, automatically correct file system related errors that the scan detects. We highly recommend checking this option every time.Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors will perform a search for areas of the hard drive that may be damaged or unusable. If found, this tool will mark those areas as “bad” and prevent your computer from using them in the future. This is very useful, but could extend the scan time as much as a few hours.
