Microsoft ScanDisk was first introduced with MS-DOS 6.2. It is a software utility capable of checking the hard drive and floppy diskette for any disk errors.

Availability

ScanDisk is an external command that is available for the following Microsoft operating systems.

For newer versions of Windows, use the chkdsk command to check your hard drive from the command line.

You cannot run ScanDisk from a command line while Windows is running. Boot the computer to a safe mode command prompt, see: How to open Safe Mode.

  • Availability

  • ScanDisk syntax

  • ScanDisk examples

  • ScanDisk Q&A

  • MS-DOS 6.2 and above

ScanDisk syntax

Windows XP and later syntax

The ScanDisk command line command is deprecated and was replaced with the chkdsk command.

How to use Microsoft ScanDisk.

  • Windows XP and later syntax.
  • Windows 98 and ME syntax.
  • MS-DOS 6.0 and earlier syntax.

Windows 98 and ME syntax

scandisk [ drive: | volume_name | /all] [/checkonly | /autofix [/nosave] | /custom] [/fragment] [/surface] [/mono] [/nosave] [/nosummary]

MS-DOS 6.0 and earlier syntax

scandisk [ drive: | drive:\path\file name | volume_name | /all] [/checkonly | /autofix [/nosave] | /custom] [/fragment] [/surface] [/mono] [/nosave] [/nosummary]

ScanDisk examples

scandisk c: /autofix

Runs ScanDisk on the primary hard drive for any errors and if found automatically fix those errors.

  • General questions and answers regarding Microsoft ScanDisk.