Step 6: ScanDisk Utility for Windows XP

As you install and uninstall programs, files can get left behind that are not in the Junk Files section that we already cleaned out. ScanDisk will check your file integrity and convert "lost" fragments into files.

If you did not leave explorer open from the previous step, go to "Start, My Computer."

Whether you are in "My Computer" or "Explorer," right-click on the (C:\) drive and select "Properties" from the drop menu. Click on the "Tools" tab, then "Check Now."



The ScanDisk options will pop up, check "Automatically fix file system errors," then click "Start."



You will get a message that ScanDisk cannot be performed, and ask you if you would like to schedule the ScanDisk when you restart your computer. Click "Yes."



Restart your computer. ScanDisk will run on a blue screen before Windows loads, in a series of three steps. It will verify files, indexes, and finally security descriptors. It will display a summary too fast for you to read, and will then load Windows.