[Fixed] Windows resource protection found corrupt files

Windows has several built-in troubleshooting utilities that scan your system for potential issues, identify inconsistencies, and attempt to fix system-related problems without needing your input.

System File Checker (SFC) tool is one of them that can fix many buggy operating system issues. For example, running an SFC scan can help to detect corrupt system files and replace the files with working ones. You can use it to fix Windows 11 crashing, fix Windows 11 File Explorer crashing, or spot other issues. 

"Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them." If you receive such a message when you run the SFC scan, it indicates that SFC detected corrupt system files but couldn't replace them with working ones

If you are confused about this issue and how to fix it, this post will answer you. Keep reading to fix the 'Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files' error.

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What does 'Windows resource protection found corrupt files' mean?

In the Windows operating system, System File Check (sfc.exe) is integrated with Windows Resource Protection, which protects registry keys and folders as well as critical system files. And you can use it via Command Prompt.

Typically, running the SFC scan will automatically fix corrupted files. If any changes are detected to a protected system file, the modified file is restored from a cached copy located in the Windows folder itself.

But if your files are not in the ddl cache, or are corrupted, you will receive such a message, 'Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.'

What this message says is that although the System File Checker completed the scan and found corrupted system files, it was unable to proceed and replace them with good system files.

What causes 'Windows resource protection found corrupt files'?

The 'Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files' error message happens because of a failure from the SFC tool, which is responsible for scanning the protected system files and resolving the issues.

There are a few reasons that cause 'Windows resource protection found corrupt files':

How to fix 'Windows resource protection found corrupt files'?

Until now, you may have a complete understanding of 'Windows resource protection found corrupt files', including what it is and what causes it. Here are some solutions for you.

Run SFC scan in Safe Mode

The Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files error could be due to the operating system processes and services running. Safe Mode launches Windows only with the basic drivers and software programs, which clears the slate for the SFC tool to work without interruption. After booting into Safe Mode, you can then run an SFC Scan.

If Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and fixes them successfully in Safe Mode, it indicates that the problem may be caused by software conflict. And you can try uninstalling the programs you recently installed as they might be causing the issue.

Run DISM

Instead of the SFC scan, you can run the DISM (Deployment Image System Management) scan, which will check Windows servers to replace damaged files. This tool targets the Windows component store of the system image, fixing any issues that might exist there.

Following the steps to run DISM on your PC:

This command will check component store corruption, record the corruption, and fix the corruption. Don't close the command windows until it finishes running.

If you have successfully fixed the 'Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files' error by using the methods mentioned in this post, share them with more friends by clicking the Share button below.

Use a Restore Point

If the SFC and DISM scans still aren't helping, you can return your system to an older point time by using System Restore. It creates a restore point on your system periodically and allows you to revert your system to an older point time when something goes wrong.

How to use System Restore in Windows Recovery Environment:

Perform an In-place Upgrade

If all the above ways still can't help you to fix this issue, it indicates that the underlying issue is very serious and can't be fixed by conventional methods.

Thus, you can perform an In-place Upgrade that rewrites the system files, which is almost guaranteed to eliminate any corruption of the operating system. This is the last but the most efficient way you can try. Here are what you need to prepare before you perform an In-place Upgrade.

After that, run the Create Windows 10 installation media tool and accept the licensing terms. When prompted, select Upgrade this PC now then choose Next.

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