Tag Archives: Operating System

Using the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) Tools to repair Windows

SFC ( System File Checker)

One way to ensure you Windows files are not missing or corrupted is using a Microsoft tool called SFC ( System File Checker).

Simply open Command Prompt (run as administrator) then type the following command:

sfc /scannow

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management)

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is used for creating Windows images for deployment. Next you can use DISM to essentially check and repair Windows using Windows Update. It can also fix update failures. Simply run the this command next:

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Links & References

Windows Audit Mode, Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE)

So you have a system that you would like to reformat and install a fresh version of Windows 10/11, but it’s for someone else and you would like them to create the first user. That’s where Windows Audit Mode comes in handy.

Basically you are able to pause the personalization of the installation and get right to the desktop to do whatever you want, such as updating, activating and installing specific programs, say for example an office suite.

How?

Using your usual method of freshly installing Windows, just as it asks you to setup the system (exactly on region selection step) press CTRL+SHIFT+F3 and it should boot directly to desktop. It should also add a dialog box to allow you to select to shutdown once you’re all done.

This method is also part of the way of creating a Windows image that can be used to install on multiple machines, but that warrants a different post.

References:

Boot Windows to Audit Mode or OOBE | Microsoft Docs
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/boot-windows-to-audit-mode-or-oobe?view=windows-11

Customize Windows in Audit Mode | Microsoft Docs
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-7/dd799305(v=ws.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN

Accessing Local Group Policy Editor and Local Security Policy for Windows 10 Home editions

Simply to upsell Microsoft feels the need to basically switch off components within its Windows OS (Operating System). Annoyingly the real-time protection feature keeps enabling itself every time Windows is restarted. You have a few ways to switch this off, but my personal preference has always been the group policy method, however using Home editions this is missing.

You can use this method to enable it:

Local Group Policy Editor

How to Enable the Group Policy Editor on Windows Home Editions | TechSpot
https://www.techspot.com/guides/1719-group-policy-editor-windows-home/

Or slightly different way:

How to Access the Group Policy Editor in Windows Home
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/access-group-policy-editor-even-windows-home-settings-try/

Local Security Policy

How to Enable Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) in Windows 10 Home – MajorGeeks
https://www.majorgeeks.com/content/page/how_to_enable_local_security_policy_in_windows_10_home.html

Simply right click on the start button (bottom left) and launch ‘Run’ then type:

%SystemRoot%/System32/secpol.msc

Alternatively simply search in the Start menu for secpol.msc and that should give the best result as the Local Security Policy.

There does seem to be an alternative method to Group Policy called Policy Plus, but I have not tried it out completely to comment. You can find it linked below.

GitHub – Fleex255/PolicyPlus: Local Group Policy Editor plus more, for all Windows editions
https://github.com/Fleex255/PolicyPlus

How to download the latest Windows 11 (any version) directly from Microsoft

It’s always best to make sure you’re downloading a legit and untampered version of your operating system you want to use. Here’s a simple three step guide to download a copy of Windows 11 directly from the Microsoft website.

Step 1) Go to: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Step 2) Scroll down till you Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO), select your language, it should then simply generate you a download link that lasts for 24 hours.

Now, you could just load that onto a USB and be on your way (using rufus to create a bootable USB drive), but maybe you want to actually verify what you’ve downloaded? Here’s how:

Download IgorWare Hasher, which basically verifies the files SHA-1, MD5 and CRC32 hashes. Using that you compare it to a known list of verified ISO’s. This time Microsoft provides these hashes right after selecting your preferred language.

Oh and for your information, “English International” is the British English version, supposedly.

See also

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications

How to download the latest Windows 10 (any version) directly from Microsoft

It’s always best to make sure you’re downloading a legit and untampered version of your operating system you want to use. Here’s a simple three step guide to download a copy of Windows 10 directly from the Microsoft website.

(Using any Chromium based browser).

Step 1)

Go to: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Step 2)

Press F12 and then press CTRL+SHIFT+ M.

Step 3)

Pick a random smartphone to simulate then refresh the page. Select Windows 10, your preferred language, preferred architecture (32 or 64 bit) and start your download.

Now, you could just load that onto a USB and be on your way (using rufus to create a bootable USB drive), but maybe you want to actually verify what you’ve downloaded? Here’s how:

Simply run PowerShell and type in the console:

Get-Filehash C:\Users\Savas\Desktop\Win10_21H2_EnglishInternational_x64.iso

Obviously you’ll need to change the file path.

Alternatively download IgorWare Hasher, which basically verifies the files SHA-1, MD5 and CRC32 hashes. Using that you compare it to a known list of verified ISO’s. The same page you downloaded the file there should be a option to verify your download, click that and a list of hashes should appear to compare it to.

Alternatively head over to heidoc.net/php/myvsdump.php which basically dumps all the hash codes, similar to how MSDN Subscriber Downloads area used to do, but now gets it from my.visualstudio.com.

Oh and for your information: “English International” is the British English, supposedly.

See also

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-specifications