How to Resolve "Checking File System on C:" Error During Windows 7/8/10/11 Startup

Problem with PC Startup: Checking File System on C Drive

Have you come across the issue of the file system check on drive C during startup? Numerous users frequently encounter this problem, which can result in system crashes. To address this, it's essential to safely shut down your PC by pressing the power button or disconnecting the power cable. Upon restarting your Windows PC, you might encounter an error message stating "checking file system on C." This error on Windows systems can pose a risk to your hard drives if you power on or off your computer directly.

Furthermore, this error message not only compromises your PC's data but also prevents normal booting. It might seem reasonable if the file system check on C drive runs occasionally. However, if you encounter this issue every time you start your PC, you must abandon the C drive file system check. This problem can be daunting! Nevertheless, you can resolve the C drive file system check using the following methods.

Causes of Performing File System Check on C Drive in Windows 7/8/10/11

To address the issue of the "Checking File System on C" error, it's essential to understand its root causes. When you come across this problem, taking action to fix the file system on drive C is undoubtedly necessary!

Here are the 3 reasons why users encounter the onscreen error message:

Reason 1: Power outage leads to the error message

If your Windows PC shuts down due to an electricity disruption, the "checking file system on C" error might occur upon restart. However, since the power outage is intentional, this issue could result from equipment malfunction, adverse weather conditions, or other factors.

Reason 2: File system corruption

Another probable reason for checking the file system on C on Windows is file system corruption. Here's how you can address file system errors:

Step 1. Double-click the "Computer" icon on your desktop and search for the C drive. After locating it, right-click on the C drive and select "Properties."

Step 2. Click on the "tools" option and then the "check now" button.

Step 3. A pop-up window will appear, where you need to check the box next to "Fix system errors automatically" and then choose the "Start" button.

Reason 3: Bad sectors

A bad sector refers to a corrupted area on a computer's hard drive that is unable to store or retrieve data properly. If you suspect that your C drive has no file system issues, you should inspect for faulty sectors. The best approach is to utilize a user-friendly, comprehensive disk management tool that allows you to easily and quickly check for bad sectors with just a few clicks. An excellent program would not only offer bad sector detection but also features like partition alignment and partition cleaning.

4 Solutions to Repair the File System on C Drive in Windows 7/8/10/11

If you wish to fix the file system check on drive C, follow the top 4 solutions outlined below:

Would you like to disable the file system check on the C drive for your Windows PC? If so, you can remove Autochk.exe from the scheduled tasks list. Here are the steps to follow:

Method 1: Using the Control Panel

Step 1. Press the Start button and then open the Control Panel. Within the Control Panel, click on "System and Security" followed by " Administrative Tools."

Step 2. In this step, you need to double-click on "Task Scheduler." Then, search for 'Autochk' in the pop-up window and select it. From the right-side panel, choose "Disable."

Method 2: Check the Session Manager Registry Entry

You can resolve the "Checking File System on C" issue on Windows 7/8/10/11 after disabling the automatic file system check through the Registry Editor. Here are the steps to follow: 1. **Backup Registry**: Before making any changes to the Registry, it's crucial to create a backup. This ensures you can restore your system if anything goes wrong. 2. **Open Registry Editor**: Press `Win + R` to open the Run dialog box, type `regedit`, and hit Enter. This will launch the Registry Editor. 3. **Navigate to the Key**: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: ``` HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager ``` 4. **Find the Value**: In the right panel, locate the value named `BootExecute`. If it doesn't exist, right-click in the right pane, select New, then String Value, and name it `BootExecute`. 5. **Edit the Value**: Double-click on `BootExecute` and delete everything inside the Value data field, leaving it blank. Then click 'OK'. 6. **Restart Your Computer**: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. The system should no longer automatically run the file system check on startup. Remember, editing the Registry is a sensitive operation, so exercise caution and make sure you understand the implications of each step. If you're unsure, consult a professional or use a reliable third-party tool.

Step 1. First, you need to launch the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows Key + R. Then, type Regedit in the text field and press the Enter key or click "OK" to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2. To navigate to the following path, expand the entries in the left-hand pane:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager

Step 3. Double-click on BootExecute in the right pane.

Step 4: To modify the key's default value, you can include "/K:C" at the end of the command in the pop-up window. After that, click "OK" to confirm the changes.

Step 5: You should close the "Registry Editor."

Method 3: Disable the automatic file system check on drive C via the registry.

Follow these steps to disable the automatic file system check on drive C through the registry: 1. **Warning**: Modifying the registry can be risky, and incorrect changes can cause serious issues with your system. Make sure to create a backup of your registry or a system restore point before proceeding. 2. **Open Registry Editor**: Press `Win + R` to open the Run dialog box. Type `regedit` and hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor. 3. **Navigate to the relevant key**: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: ``` HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager ``` 4. **Find the BootExecute key**: In the right pane, locate the value named `BootExecute`. If it doesn't exist, you'll need to create it. Right-click in the right pane, select `New`, and then `Multi-String Value`. 5. **Edit the BootExecute key**: Name the new value `BootExecute`, and double-click it to edit. If the value already exists, make sure it's not empty. 6. **Add the command**: In the `Value data` field, add the following command, separated by a space from any existing entries (if any): ``` autocheck autochk * ``` If there is already any content in the `Value data` field, just add a semicolon (`;`) at the beginning of the line to comment it out, like this: ``` ;autocheck autochk * ``` 7. **Save and exit**: Click `OK` to save the changes and close the Edit Multi-String dialog. Close the Registry Editor as well. 8. **Reboot your computer**: Restart your PC for the changes to take effect. The automatic file system check on drive C should now be disabled. Remember that disabling this feature might expose your system to potential risks, as file system errors won't be automatically detected and fixed during startup. It's recommended to only do this if you have a specific reason and understand the implications.

Step 1: Click the Start button, and in the search box, type "Regedit."

Step 2: You must search for this registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager

Step 3: Double-click BootExecute in the right pane.

Here, "autochk" or "autocheck" is the key's default value, which signifies that every drive is checked for consistency. To disable autocheck on the C: drive when Windows starts, simply place "/K:C" before "*". Hence, the final value should appear as follows: autocheck autochk /k:C *

If you wish to include additional drives, the command should appear as follows: autocheck autochk /k:C /k:D * with the C and D drives disabled.

Lastly, replace the key with the default key to revert everything to its default state, which is "autochk autocheck *"

Method 4: Run CHKDSK to fix Windows file errors

You can examine the location of the "checking file system on C" error on the disk to address the issue. However, you can perform a CHKDSK check to rectify Windows file system errors. The steps are as follows: 1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard. 2. Select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows Terminal (Admin)" from the menu, depending on your version of Windows. 3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: ``` chkdsk /f /r C: ``` This command will schedule a check for the next restart, where `/f` repairs any errors found, and `/r` locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. 4. Your computer will prompt you to schedule a check for the next boot. Type 'Y' and press Enter to confirm. 5. Restart your computer. The CHKDSK utility will run during the startup process, scanning and fixing any issues with the C drive. 6. Once the process is complete, Windows should boot normally. The errors should be fixed, and the "checking file system on C" message should no longer appear. Remember that running CHKDSK may take some time, especially if the drive contains a large amount of data. Be patient, and do not interrupt the process.

Step 1. Press Windows + X keys together, then select Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 2. Press "Enter" immediately after typing "chkdsk /f c:".

Step 3. Don't forget to type in "chkdsk C: /r".

After doing these, check to see if the issue is resolved. If it doesn't work, don't give up; there are other alternatives.

Further Solution: Recover Data When the File System Gets Corrupted

Occasionally, particularly after examining a flawed file system, files might vanish following the execution of SFC and CHKDSK. Furthermore, there is a substantial risk of data loss involved. Consequently, users should prioritize the security of their data. For Windows users, employing a specialized data recovery software can prove to be beneficial.

You can download the efficient data recovery software Data Recovery Wizard. This tool is designed to assist in retrieving data lost due to file system issues, system crashes, or unintended file deletion.

Final Thoughts

With the assistance of the solutions provided, you can promptly resolve the "checking file system on C" error on your Windows 7/8/10/11 computer. However, despite these remedies, there remains a risk of data loss! To safeguard your files from being permanently erased from your PC, it is crucial to have a reliable data recovery software to retrieve your files. Among the options, tools Data Recovery Wizard stands out as an excellent choice, as it offers various features to help you recover lost data and optimize disk space efficiently.

"Fixing File System on C: Frequently Asked Questions"

Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter:

1. How can I tell if my system is using FAT32 or NTFS?

To determine whether the file system is FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS, you need to open "My Computer" or "PC," right-click on the drive you wish to inspect, and choose "Properties." The file system format will be displayed in the Disk Properties window.

2. How to stop checking file systems on Windows XP?

Click "Run" from the Start menu, type "regedit" and press OK. Locate and click on the following key in the registry:

1. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager 2. Locate the value named "BootExecute" within the right pane. 3. Right-click on "BootExecute" and select "Modify" from the context menu. 4. In the "Value data" field, enter "autocheck autochk" (without quotes). 5. Press the "ENTER" key to apply the changes.

3. How to disable disk check on Windows 7 startup?

One of the simplest methods to disable disk checking on Windows 7 startup is by using the chkntfs command. First, click the "Start" button and type "command prompt" in the search bar. Then, right-click on the 'Command Prompt' icon and choose "Run as Administrator."

4. How to resolve the issue of checking the file system on C drive during every Windows 7 startup?

Follow the steps outlined below:

1. Step 1. On the Windows 7 desktop, you must double-click the "Computer" icon and search for the C drive. Following that, right-click on the C drive and select "Properties."
2. Step 2. Click on the "Tools" tab, and then hit the "Check now" button.
3. Step 3. Choose "Automatically fix file system errors" and click "Start" in the popup window.

5. How long does it take to check the file system on drive C?

Checking the file system on drive C typically takes over two hours, depending on the size of your drive and the number of errors found.