220-1102 Question 112
Single answerchkdskA Windows 10 laptop was improperly powered off during a file copy to the internal SSD. The user now reports that some folders open slowly and File Explorer occasionally freezes when accessing the C: drive. You verify that the system still boots normally, and SMART status does not currently show a drive failure. You want to check the file system for logical errors and repair them with the least disruptive first step. Which command should you run?
- A
chkdsk C: /f
- B
format C: /fs:ntfs
- C
sfc /scannow
- D
diskpart clean
- E
chkdsk C: /r
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is "chkdsk C: /f" because the scenario indicates likely logical file system corruption caused by an improper shutdown. On Windows, CHKDSK is used to verify file system integrity, and the /f parameter fixes detected logical file system errors. For the system drive, the repair usually must be scheduled for the next reboot because the volume is in use. The /r parameter is more extensive because it also scans for bad sectors and implies /f, but it is generally reserved for situations where physical disk issues are suspected due to the longer runtime and heavier scan. Microsoft documentation and standard Windows troubleshooting practice distinguish CHKDSK for file system/disk integrity issues from SFC, which is intended for protected operating system file corruption.
- A. Correct.
Correct. "chkdsk C: /f" checks the file system on drive C: and fixes logical file system errors. In this scenario, the issue began after an improper shutdown, which commonly causes file system inconsistencies. Because the goal is to repair logical errors with the least disruptive first step, /f is the best choice. If the drive is in use, Windows will typically prompt to schedule the scan for the next restart.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. "format C: /fs:ntfs" would erase the contents of the partition and recreate the file system. That is a destructive action and is not an appropriate troubleshooting step for a system that still boots and only shows possible file system corruption.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. "sfc /scannow" checks and repairs protected Windows system files, not general file system structure errors on the disk. Someone might choose this because freezing and instability can sometimes be associated with corrupted system files, but the scenario specifically points to possible disk file system issues after an improper shutdown.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. "diskpart clean" removes partition and volume information from the selected disk. This is a highly destructive command used for disk preparation, not for repairing file system problems. It would make the situation much worse.
- E. Incorrect.
Incorrect. "chkdsk C: /r" includes the functions of /f and also locates bad sectors and attempts recovery of readable information. While valid when physical sector problems are suspected, it is more time-consuming and is not the least disruptive first step here, especially since SMART does not currently indicate hardware failure and the scenario suggests logical corruption after an improper shutdown.