Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista

How to Fix Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista​

   Information

If after you set Check Disk or chkdsk to run at startup it will not run, then this will show you how to fix this problem so chkdsk will run at startup. This problem is usually caused when the autochk.exe file gets corrupted, or the registry BootExecute data value is incorrect.

This is not for if chkdsk cannot finish or stops running.

   Note

• Check Disk uses the file autochk.exe to run chkdsk.
• If you still cannot run chkdsk at startup after this, then you might consider performing a System Restore, Repair Installation, or Clean Installation to fix the problem. See related links below.
• If you had changed your default boot screen, then you will need to temporarily uncheck the No GUI boot to be able to see what is happening when chkdsk is running at boot up. See: How to Enable or Replace the Hidden Aurora Boot Screen in Vista

STEP ONE

Safe Mode Workaround

   Note

This is to see if something may be loading before the check disk program preventing chkdsk from running.

1. Schedule check disk to run using chkdsk /f (STEP FIVE below) in the command promt.​

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2. Run msconfig (step 1 in METHOD TWO at link), and click on the Boot​

tab and click on Safe boot with the minimal button selected. (See screenshot below)​

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3. Restart the computer to hopefully have chkdsk run.​

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4. Set msconfig (step 2 in METHOD TWO at link) to boot normally again.​

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5. If chkdsk still will not run at startup, then proceed with the steps below. If it did, then you're done.​

STEP TWO

Reset chkdsk BootExecute

   Note

• This will reset chkdsk back to it's default setting of not to run at startup.
• This step will also fix the problem of chkdsk always running at startup.
• If BootExecute already has a Data value of autocheck autochk *, then you do not need to do this. (See the Manual Way below to check) Continue to STEP THREE below instead.

Through a Download:​

1. Click on the download button below to download the Reset_chkdsk.reg file.​

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2. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.​

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3. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge.​

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4. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.​

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5. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​

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6. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).​

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The Manual Way:​

1. Open the Start Menu.​

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2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.​

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3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.​

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4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5)​

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager​

5. In the right pane, right click on BootExecute and click on Modify.​

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6. Type autocheck autochk * and click on OK. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: You will be replacing autocheck autochk /p \??\C: with autocheck autochk* instead. If BootExecute already has a Data value of autocheck autochk *, then you do not need to do this. Go to STEP THREE below.​

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7. Close regedit.​

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STEP THREE

Run a SFC /SCANNOW Command

1. Try running a sfc /scannow command to see if it can fix chkdsk.​

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2. When SFC is finished, try running chkdsk again.​

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3. If chkdsk still will not run at startup, then proceed with the steps below. If it did, then you're done.​

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STEP FOUR

Replace autochk.exe File

NOTE: This will show you how to replace your corrupted copy of the autochk.exe file with clean copy to be able to run chkdsk at startup.

1. Be sure that you already have ran a SFC /scannow from STEP THREE above to see verify that the autochk.exe file was foud to be corrupted first in the sfcdetails.txt file. If it's not, then you do not need to do STEP FOUR.​

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2. In Windows Explorer, go to C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe. (See screenshot below)​

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3. Take ownership of the file autochk.exe at the C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe location, and "Allow" your user account "Full Control" of it. (See screenshot above)​

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4. Right click on autochk.exe and click on Properties. (See screenshot below step 2)​

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5. Click on the Details tab. (See screenshots below)​

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A) Make note of what File version the autochk.exe file is.​

NOTE: If the File version is blank or you have SP1 installed, then do step 6. If not, then do step 8.​

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6. Download the same version that you have in step 5.​

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7. For the Vista 6.0.6002.18005 SP2 Version of autochk.exe​

NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista with SP1 and SP2 installed.​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6002.18005.zip file.​

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B) Go to step 10.​

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8. For the Vista 6.0.6001.18000 SP1 Version of autochk.exe​

NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista with SP1 installed.​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6001.18000.zip file.​

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B) Go to step 10.​

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9. For the Vista 6.0.6000.16386 RTM Version of autochk.exe​

NOTE: This is for the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista without SP1 or SP2 installed. This version has been reported to still work with or without SP1 installed, so you may try it if you still have problems with the newer 6.0.6001.18000 SP1 or 6.0.6002.18005 SP2 version.​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the 6.0.6000.16386.zip file.​

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10. Save the ZIP file to your desktop.​

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11. Open on the downloaded autochk.exe.zip file.​

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12. Extract (drag and drop) the autochk.exe file from wihtin the ZIP file to your desktop.​

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13. Right click on the autochk.exe file on your desktop and click on Properties and the Unblock button under the General tab. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: If you do not have the Unblock button, then it is already unblocked. Continue on to step 14.​

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14. Right click on the autochk.exe file on your desktop and click on Copy.​

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15. Go back to the Windows Explore window at C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe. (See screenshot below step 2)​

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16. Right click on a empty space in the Windows Explorer window and click on Paste. (See screenshot below step 2)​

NOTE: If it will not let you Copy or Paste the new autochk.exe file (on desktop) over, then rename the old one and repeat step 14, then delete the old renamed autochk.exe file afterwards.​

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17. Click on Copy and Replace. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: This replaces your autochk.exe with the downloaded clean one on the desktop that has not been taken ownership of.​

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18. Click on Continue for Access Denied prompt.​

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19. Click on Continue for UAC prompt.​

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20. Close the Windows Explorer window.​

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STEP FIVE

Set Chkdsk to Run at Startup

1. Try the different methods in this tutorial below to run chkdsk to see which one works best for you.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista
• How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
• How to Do a Clean Install of Vista with a Upgrade Version
• How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista
• How to Do a System Restore in Vista
• How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker
• How to Change Vista Disk Check Press Any Key Timeout Value at Startup
• How to Read the Event Viewer Log for Check Disk (chkdsk) in Windows

 

[sportauto76]

hi the only application name ressembling autochk.exe is written autochk and while looking at propreties i couldn't find it's file version number as well as product name, product version, language and copywright indication

if it could help:
my problem started 5 days ago when my mcafee security center only showed half of it's content (left side) on a smaller and resized window most commands where disable and weirdly, my laptop ability to perceive internet(not wireless routers) was dissable even with a pluged ethernet cable and when i try to restore my files in windows they told me to check the disk for error at startup and it never started.

I was mostly desperate during those 5 days but after looking up at your forum from a another computer the quality of your content reassured my beleif in solving this problem

thank you for taking the time to read and help me

 

[Brink]

Hello Sportauto76, and welcome to Vista Forums.

It appears that you do not have known file extensions set to be displayed, so it would be autochk for you.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sportauto76]

ok thanks i also notice that file version value product name and product version value cpoywright value and language value are not displayed

also would downloading the zipe file on a usb key and transfering it to my computer cause any problem

could you help on that the faster the better
thanks you very much

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Sportauto76.

No, you should be able to use the USB key like that without any issue. Just be sure to unblock the autochk.exe file in step 12 in the STEP FOUR section.

If you have all of your updates updated and have SP2 installed, then use the latest 6.0.6002.18005 SP2 version of the download.

 

[rbezdon]

Dear anyone, I have followed the proceedure here to the letter. I can replace the autochk.exe files fine through the take ownership process. I can replace both the system32 version and the winsis\windows etc etc. If I then run sfc/scannow I will get no integrity errors BUT if I simply reboot the computer and rerun the sfc autochk.exe will again be corrupt and not run. One other interesting fact, when I edited the owner of the autochk.exe in the system32 folder it also edits the owner of the file in the winsis etc etc directory. why is this happening and why does autochk.exe get corrupted every reboot?? One other note, I have done a complete restore from scratch 5 times and every time once SP2 is installed this repeats. any help is appreciated.

One other note, if I boot to vista and then shut down and reboot to the recovery console and run chkdsk/x i will ALWAYS get corrupt files.

 

[Brink]

Hello Rbezdon, and welcome to Vista Forums.

When you say a restore from scratch, do you mean a clean reinstall of Vista?

If so, what method do you use to install the SP2? For example, the standalone SP2 installer or through Windows Updates. You might try the oposite of what you are doing to see if it may install better for you.

 

[rbezdon]

I have a 3 year old Toshiba X205 Laptop which came with a restore disk. I have done the "out of the box" restore 5 times. Each time I have let windows update install all of the updates thru downloads. Every time I wind up at the same point where autochk wont run and the SFC command finds corrutpt files it cant fix. It is always the autochk file. I used the clean file (18005 version) and copy into the two directories (system32 and the winsis directory sfc uses as reference) and then sfc finds no errors. The reboot and find the same error returns.

By the way, the out of the box configurations includes a drastically out datred version of McAffee which I have to uninstall every time as it confuses the updates. Maybe the uninstall is damaging the Master file table. I am not sure when the corruption occurrs, at original restore (start from Vista with no Service Packs on restore CD) or after the first updates load (over 100). SP1, load next update load or the SP2 load.

I went back and checked and the SP2 stand alone requires SP! and I would still have to rely on the Update function for the Vista release version and SP! version before I could run it.

 

[Brink]

Here's the link to get the standalone SP1 below. See if after you do a factory restore, install the standalone SP1, and install the standalone SP2 after if you still get the same thing. Uninstalling McAffee though Programs and Features should not affect this at all.

http://www.vistax64.com/windows-updates/140470-why-sp1-may-not-available-you-how-get.html

 

[Gamerbrett]

My chkdsk wont run at startup either, ive tried running it from safemode and nothing worked. Ive tried going to into the autochk.exe file to replace it but when i right click autochk it doesnt have a details option. I tried running System Restore and it said something about corruption and that i need to run the chkdsk utility. Help would be much appreciated.

 

[Brink]

Hello Brett, and welcome to Vista Forums.

When you right click on autochk, you will need to click on Properties first then the Details tab to see what version you have instead.

 

[jagan376]

hi all
i have problem with my os....disk checking is not running while restarting my system...because some of my os files corrupted . so i use chkdsk utility in command prompt . how can solve my problem plz help me..... my os service pack 2

 

[Brink]

Hello Jagan, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Have you already tried all the different options in the tutorial on the first page?

 

[aftermath]

Follow the tutorial on this page:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/130824-chkdsk-will-not-run-startup-vista.html
It worked for me.

 

[paul1149]

Brink, you've done it yet again. Many thanks.

Paul

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Paul. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

 

[Matt90]

Hi Brink, wondering if you can help me?

I'm working through the steps in your guide, but I'm stuck at the point where you check the file version of autochk.exe

I've taken ownership and everything, but when I look at the Properties it says "Windows Presentation Foundation Host" for the file description, and "3.0.6920.4000" for the file version. Additionally the product name is "Microsoft(R) .NET Framework".. I've definitely got the autochk.exe open, any idea why the details are all different from your screenshot? Is it safe to copy over with a fresh downloaded autochk.exe, and which version should I use?

Thanks in advance

edit: Adding screenshot of the properties menu..

 

[Brink]

Hello Matt, and welcome to Vista Forums.

That should be for the PresentationHost.exe file instead. It looks like it had been renamed to autochk. If so, then that's your problem, and replacing it with the proper autochk file in the tutorial should help. If you do not have a PresentationHost.exe file, then let know and I'll be happy to post a copy of it for.

 

[Matt90]

Hello Matt, and welcome to Vista Forums.

That should be for the PresentationHost.exe file instead. It looks like it had been renamed to autochk. If so, then that's your problem, and replacing it with the proper autochk file in the tutorial should help. If you do not have a PresentationHost.exe file, then let know and I'll be happy to post a copy of it for.

Hi Brink, thanks for replying so soon, and on a Sunday as well!

I do have a PresentationHost.exe file, but it has a strange icon (see below) instead of the standard .exe image, does that indicate something's amiss?

I'll go ahead and replace the autochk.exe file though, could you tell me which of the three options I should choose to download? I don't want to muck up my computer with the wrong one, especially since I can't tell which is correct since I don't have the autochk.exe in the first place! Or do I just go for the RTM version? You might have gathered I'm not particularly tech-savvy!

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Matt.

That would be the correct icon for the PresentationHost.exe file. No worries there.

If you have all of your Windows Updates installed including SP2 for your Vista, then you would want to use the latest 6.0.6002.18005 version of autochk.exe.

 

[Matt90]

You're welcome Matt.

That would be the correct icon for the PresentationHost.exe file. No worries there.

If you have all of your Windows Updates installed including SP2 for your Vista, then you would want to use the latest 6.0.6002.18005 version of autochk.exe.

Well, it's all fixed! chkdsk was still refusing to run at startup, but I was reading some of your other articles and realised that maybe I could run chkdsk from the command prompt, that you can open by spamming f8 during the boot-up stage. And it worked!

I think that managed to clear any blockage I had, and now chkdsk is running from start-up when I schedule it, which must be down to installing the proper .exe

Thanks for all your help! You have no idea how many issues my computer was getting because I couldn't repair errors on my C drive, the computer was refusing to install some rather key updates - so glad it's all fixed up! :D