Windows system files are essential files that comprise the core components of the Windows operating system. These files are responsible for managing various aspects of system operation, including hardware interaction, software execution, user interface, and system configuration. Many users across the globe have been complaining about File System error issues that arise on their PCs. This hampers the productivity of the users and in some cases, the user is not able to use the system at all. In this blog, we will discuss all about these errors and how to fix them.
What Are Windows File System Errors?
It refer to various issues that affect the functionality of the file system on a Windows operating system. These errors can prevent the basic but critical services from executing properly on your PC. Without these system files, users will be unable to run the apps installed and will also face difficulty using the Windows Interface.
What Are The Types Of File System Error Codes?
There are many codes. We have listed a few common ones.
| Error Code | Description |
| 2143322101 | Issue with PC Game Pass or Minecraft Launcher. |
| 2147219196 | Issue with Photos App. |
| 789839862 | Issue with NTFS File System |
| 1073741521 | Issue with Microsoft Store App |
| 1073741818 | Issue with Admin Privileges |
| 2018375670 | Issue with Bad Sectors On Disk |
| 1073741819 | Issue with PC’s UAC account settings registry |
| 2147416359 | Issue while opening Photos and Videos |
| 1073740791 | Issue with Registry probably due to malware |
What Causes File System Errors?
There are many reasons as to why this Error occurs on Window PC. Here are some of them:
Corrupted Files: Sometimes, files become damaged or are saved incompletely due to issues such as unexpected shutdowns, hardware failures, or software conflicts.
Bad Sectors: Physical damage or degradation on the hard drive can result in bad sectors, which may lead to data corruption and file system errors.
Disk Errors: Errors related to the disk structure or partition table, such as partition corruption or disk fragmentation, can contribute to file system issues.
Driver or Software Conflicts: Incompatible or outdated device drivers, as well as conflicts between software applications, can cause the errors.
Virus or Malware Infections: Malicious software can corrupt files, modify system settings, or interfere with system processes, leading to this errors.
Registry Errors: Issues within the Windows registry, such as invalid entries or missing keys, can impact the file system’s stability and performance.
Hardware Failures: Malfunctioning hardware components, such as the hard drive, memory modules, or motherboard, can result in file system errors.
Expert-Recommended Methods On How To Fix File System Errors in Windows
Fix 1: Run The System File Checker Tool
The first method you should follow when facing file system errors is to run the inbuilt System File Checker tool, check the integrity of the system files, and replace the corrupted and missing files. Here are the steps to run this tool:
Step 1: Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “cmd” in the text box and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt tool with Administrator privileges.
Step 3: Copy and paste the command in the Command Prompt window.
SFC /scannow
Step 4: Wait for the SFC tool to complete the scan and repair process and reboot your PC.
Fix 2: Run The Deployment Image Servicing Management Tool
The next inbuilt tool for fixing the errors is to run the Deployment Image Servicing Management tool. This utility is in-built like the SFC tool and can resolve the errors that SFC could not resolve. Here is how to run this utility:
Step 1: Press Win + S to open the Windows Search box.
Step 2: Type “cmd” and you will see the Command Prompt under Best Match. Click on Run As Administrator.
Step 3: To run the DISM tool, copy and paste the following commands. Press the Enter key after each command.
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Fix 3: Run The Hard Disk Scan Using The Check Disk Tool.
Issues related to the integrity of hard drives, like the presence of bad sectors, can lead to file system errors on Windows 11/10. Therefore, utilizing the Check Disk tool to scan your hard drive is advised as a troubleshooting measure for such errors. The Check Disk utility, also known as CHKDSK, identifies and fixes problematic sectors on the drive. Here’s how you can execute CHKDSK via the Command Prompt:
Step 1: Press Win + X to open the Power Menu.
Step 2: Select Terminal (Admin) from the list.
Step 3: In the new window that opens up, click on the down arrow and select Command Prompt. This will open the Command Prompt tool in an elevated mode.
Step 4: Type the following command and press the Enter key:
chkdsk c: /f /r
Step 5: Press the “Y” key on your keyboard to allow the scan to run on the next reboot.
Step 6: Close the Command Prompt window and restart your PC.
If you find running these different commands time-consuming at any time you can switch to Advanced System Optimizer. A system tweaking tool that allows you to scan the disk for errors, fragmentation, health, invalid registries, outdated drivers, spyware, and other issues that might be causing file system and other errors on your PC.
Fix 4: Run The Windows Store App Troubleshooter
If you encounter a file system error while attempting to launch Microsoft Store apps, the Windows Store App troubleshooter can help resolve the issue. This inbuilt troubleshooter is designed to fix issues that hamper the proper functioning of UWP apps. Here’s how you can access the Windows Store App troubleshooter:
Step 1: Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.
Step 2: Type “Windows Store App” in the Search box located in the left panel.
Step 3: Click on the relevant link and the Windows Store App window will open.
Step 4: Hit the Next button and follow the instructions to run this troubleshooter.
Fix 5: Run The Windows License Manager Service
Certain file system errors may occur when attempting to open files using UWP apps if the Windows License Manager service is deactivated. This service is essential for supporting the MS Store infrastructure, and disabling it can cause apps downloaded from the store to malfunction. Here’s how you can verify whether this service is enabled and initiate it if needed:
Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “Services.msc” and click on the OK button.
Step 3: The Services box will open where all the services are listed in an alphabetical order.
Step 4: Scroll down and locate Windows License Manager Service.
Step 5: Double-click on the service to open the properties box.
Step 6: Click on the dropdown next to Startup Type and choose Automatic.
Step 7: Click on the Stop button and then click on the Start button to restart the service.
Step 8: Click on the Apply button and then on the OK button.
Fix 6: Restore Default Theme
If you are using a third-party theme then this error might occur due to unsaved themes or corrupt and missing system files. We suggest reverting back to Windows default theme. Here is how to do that:
Step 1: Make a right click on the Windows Start icon to reveal the Power menu and choose Settings.
Step 2: Click on the Personalization tab in the left panel.
Step 3: In the right section of the Settings window, click on the first theme and it will be applied automatically.
Fix 7: Reinstall The Application
This particular resolution is better suited for addressing the errors encountered when attempting to open particular UWP apps. In such cases, reinstalling the app associated with the error might rectify the issue. For instance, users have reported that reinstalling Microsoft Photos can resolve file system error -2147219196. Here are the steps to uninstall and reinstall apps.
Step 1: Press Win + S to open the Search box.
Step 2: Type “Add Remove Program” and click on the relevant result.
Step 3: A list of all the installed apps will be displayed.
Step 4: Locate the problematic app and click on the three dots next to it.
Step 5: Choose uninstall from the context menu and follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the app from your PC.
Step 6: After the uninstallation is complete, you can reboot your PC and reinstall the app from the Windows Store.
Fix 8: Run The System Restore Utility
System Restore serves as a troubleshooting tool capable of potentially resolving a range of issues leading to file system errors, including system file corruption, app conflicts, or recent Windows updates. Using this tool you need to restore Windows to an earlier date when there were no File system errors. However, the success of the tool largely depends on the availability of a restore point preceding the occurrence of the error on your PC. Here are the steps:
To utilize a restore point via System Restore in Windows 11, follow these steps:
Step 1. Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2. Type “rstrui” followed by the Enter key.
Step 3. In the System Restore window, proceed by clicking the Next button.
Step 4. On the subsequent page, you’ll find a list of available restore points, categorized by type (manual or automatic).
Step 5. If there are hidden restore points, opt to reveal them by selecting the “Show more restore points” box.
Step 6. Choose the desired restore point from the list.
Step 7. Click on “Scan for affected programs.” This action prompts System Restore to scan for affected programs and drivers, displaying a list of items that will be affected during the restoration process.
Step 8. Close the scanning window and click Next to continue.
Step 9. Review the description provided in the confirmation screen to understand the restoration’s nature and its impact on drivers.
Step 10. Confirm the restoration by clicking the Finish button.
Step 11. Upon confirmation, a system alert will appear, indicating that once the restoration process commences, it cannot be interrupted. Click Yes to proceed with the restoration process.
Fix 9: Create A New User Account
Creating a new local user account in Windows can help mitigate file system errors that arise from user account issues. Creating a fresh account may not always be the best solution, but it can be done temporarily so that it does not hamper the productivity of the user. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Step 2: Click on Accounts in the left panel.
Step 3: Scroll down in the right side of the Settings window and click on Other Users.
Step 4: Click on Add Account in the top right corner.
Step 5: To create a local account, choose “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information”, and on the next page, choose “Add a user without a Microsoft account”.
Step 6: Add the relevant information and adhere to the onscreen instructions to create a local account and check if the issue persists.
Step 10: Reset Windows
If none of the previously suggested solutions have proven effective, resetting Windows can serve as a final measure to resolve stubborn file system errors. Here’s how you can reset Windows 10 and 11:
Step 1. Open the Start menu and search for ‘Reset this PC’. Open the corresponding option.
Step 2. Click on “Reset PC”.
Step 3. Select “Keep my files”.
Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the reset process for your Windows computer.
Note: While Windows offers the option to retain your data during the reset, it’s advisable to create a manual backup of your files externally as a precautionary measure in case any issues arise during the reset process.
Bonus Tip: Use Advanced System Optimizer To Get Rid Of File System Errors.
Advanced System Optimizer is a complete PC optimization tool that helps maintain and fix issues on your PC. As we have read the reasons for the errors listed above, we can conclude that most of the file system errors occur due to disk issues. To fix them, we require an app with the best disk tools possible. We suggest using Advanced System Optimizer because it has a number of modules other than Disk tools to help optimize and clean your PC of junk and unwanted files. Here is how to use this amazing tool:
Step 1: Download the app using the button provided here.
Step 2: Install the app by double clicking the file downloaded and follow the onscreen instructions.
Step 3: Once the app launches, click on the Disk Cleaner and Optimizers tab in the left panel.
Step 4: Next, click on the Disk Tools in the right side.
Step 5: Finally click on the Start Scan now button and choose Thorough Analysis.
Step 6: This tool will scan, identify, and fix hard disk issues that cause the errors.
Have You Fixed The File System Errors In Windows?
We hope that the above methods have helped you resolve all the File System errors on your PC for now and in the near future. We recommend that you press Ctrl + D to bookmark this page and share it with your family and friends. This Errors can occur all of a sudden without any warning. Hence it is necessary to stay equipped with these troubleshooting steps so that you can fix it whenever they occur. Do write to us in the comments section below as to how you fixed these errors on your PC.
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