There's another simple way of initiating a CHKDSK process - you can do so directly from a command prompt window. However, if the CHKDSK scan does find errors, it will attempt to fix what it can.Īlternative: run CHKDSK from a Command Prompt If all is well, you'll receive the good news that the drive has been completed and no errors were found. Depending on the size of your selected drive, and the amount of data stored on it, this process could take anything from a few minutes to half an hour.

The CHKDSK function will begin its checks. Tech tips you can trust - get our free Tech newsletter for advice, news, deals and stuff the manuals don’t tell youĭon't worry, you can't do any damage to your PC by running this scan process. However, if you'd prefer to run a CHKDSK scan, you can proceed by clicking Scan drive below this.

If your PC thinks everything is running smoothly, it'll show a window stating that you don't need to scan the drive at all. Here, click the Tools tab and then click Check under the Error checking section. The Properties window for the selected drive will now open. Right-click on the drive that you wish to scan - most commonly this will be your C: Drive or D: Drive - then click Properties. To start, open a new File Explorer window (click Windows key + E) then click This PC. Remember, CHKDSK won't be of much help if you're dealing with a physically damaged hard drive (eg after dropping your laptop), but it can be a great tool for correcting minor errors.ĬHKDSK works for both older spinning hard drives and SSDs, and it can't harm your computer.

We explain how to run CHKDSK in Windows 10 in the steps below. The potential for lost files is heartbreaking, and hard drive failure is one of the top reported computer faults. It can be a lifesaver for dealing with (non-physical) hard drive faults.Ī glitchy or corrupted hard drive can create a moment of panic. Windows has a handy feature called CHKDSK (Check Disk) that you can use to analyse hard drive errors and run repairs automatically. Hard drive playing up? Here's how to check for errors

Testing ssd drives for errors