Microsoft DOS chkdsk command
Quick links
About chkdsk
Availability
Chkdsk syntax
Examples
About chkdsk
Chkdsk is a utility that checks the computer's hard drive status for any cross-linked or any additional errors with the hard drive.
MS-DOS versions 2.x - 4.x used chkdsk.com,
MS-DOS versions 5.x and beyond used chkdsk.exe.
Availability
The chkdsk command is an external command and is available in the below Microsoft operating systems.
All Versions of MS-DOS
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Syntax
MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME chkdsk syntax
Checks a disk and displays a status report.
CHKDSK [drive:][[path]filename] [/F] [/V]
| [drive:][path] |
Specifies the drive and directory to check. |
| filename |
Specifies the file(s) to check for fragmentation. |
| /F |
Fixes errors on the disk. |
| /V |
Displays the full path and name of every file on the disk. |
Type CHKDSK without parameters to check the current disk.
Windows 2000 and Windows XP chkdsk syntax
Checks a disk and displays a status report.
CHKDSK [volume[[path]filename]]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/I] [/C] [/L[:size]]
| volume |
Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon), mount point, or volume name. |
| filename |
FAT only: Specifies the files to check for fragmentation. |
| /F |
Fixes errors on the disk. |
| /V |
On FAT/FAT32: Displays the full path and name of every file on the disk. |
| /R |
Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information (implies /F). |
| /L:size |
NTFS only: Changes the log file size to the specified number of kilobytes. If size is not specified, displays current size. |
| /X |
Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary. All opened handles to the volume would then be invalid (implies /F). |
| /I |
NTFS only: Performs a less vigorous check of index entries. |
| /C |
NTFS only: Skips checking of cycles within the folder structure. |
The /I or /C switch reduces the amount of time required to run Chkdsk by skipping certain checks of the volume.
Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP users who have NTFS should also consider using the CHKNTFS command.
Windows 2000 and Windows XP recovery console chkdsk syntax
Note: The below options are only available in the recovery console.
Checks a disk and displays a status report.
chkdsk [drive:] [/p] | [/r]
| [drive:] |
Specifies the drive to check. |
| /p |
Check even if the drive is not flagged dirty, bad. |
| /r |
Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information (implies /p). |
Chkdsk may be used without any parameters, in which case the current drive is checked with no switches. You can specify the listed switches.
Chkdsk requires the Autochk.exe file. Chkdsk automatically locates Autochk.exe in the startup (boot) directory. If it cannot be found in the startup directory, chkdsk attempts to locate the Windows 2000 Setup CD. If the installation CD cannot be found, chkdsk prompts for the location of Autochk.exe.
Examples
chkdsk
Will display all information described above and also report any crossed linked files.
chkdsk /f
Will fix any crossed linked files; however, do not run this command while you are in Windows95 or Windows 3.x |
