What is the DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth Command?

Posted by Srikant on

The DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command is a powerful tool in Windows 10 and Windows 11 for repairing system image files. It helps fix problems with the Windows image, which can be crucial if you're encountering issues that System File Checker (SFC) alone can't resolve.

what is DISM command

Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) is a command-line tool that allows administrators to service and prepare Windows images. The RestoreHealth option is used to scan and repair any corruption in the Windows image.

  • To repair the Windows image and fix system corruption.
  • It repairs the operating system image, which includes the files used by SFC to restore system files.

How to Use the DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth Command

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

  • Windows 10:

    • Press Win + X to open the Power User menu.
    • Select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).

  • Windows 11:

    • Press Win + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.

2. Run the DISM Command

  • In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. Wait for the Process to Complete

  • Explanation:

    • DISM is the command for Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool.
    • /Online specifies that you are working with the running operating system.
    • /Cleanup-Image tells DISM to perform cleanup tasks on the Windows image.
    • /RestoreHealth instructs DISM to scan the image for corruption and restore the health of the system.

  • The tool will scan the system image and attempt to repair any issues it finds. This process may take some time, so be patient.

4. Review the Results

  • Once the scan is complete, DISM will display a message indicating the results of the operation:
    • The restore operation completed successfully. This means that DISM has repaired any corruption it found.
    • The restore operation failed. If DISM cannot repair the image, further troubleshooting may be needed.

Additional Steps If DISM Fails

If the DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command fails, consider the following steps:

1. Check for Windows Updates

  • Ensure your system is up-to-date with the latest updates. Sometimes, updating Windows can resolve underlying issues that affect DISM.

2. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

  • Open Troubleshooter:
    • Press Win + I to open Settings.
    • Go to Update & Security and select Troubleshoot.
    • Choose Windows Update and run the troubleshooter.

3. Verify Component Store Health

  • Check the Component Store:
    • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    • Type the following command and press Enter:
      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • This command checks whether the image is in a healthy state without attempting repairs.

4. Reset Windows Update Components

  • Reset Components:
    • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    • Run the following commands to stop and restart Windows Update services:
      net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
    • Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders:
      ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
    • Restart the services:
      net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

5. Perform a System Reset or Repair Install

  • System Reset:

    • Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
    • Go to System > Recovery and select Reset this PC.
    • Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything, then follow the on-screen instructions.

  • Repair Install:

    • If issues persist, you might need to perform a repair install using Windows 11/10 installation media. This process reinstalls Windows while preserving your files and applications.

Conclusion

The DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command is an essential tool for maintaining the health of your Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. By running this command, you can fix image corruption issues that might prevent System File Checker from functioning correctly. For persistent problems, combining DISM with other troubleshooting methods will help ensure a stable and functioning operating system.


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