Quick Answer
Checking file system on C means Windows is checking the C: drive for file system errors. A one-time check is usually normal after an improper shutdown.
If the message appears every startup:
- Check for file system errors
- Run chkdsk c: /f or chkdsk c: /r
- Stop autodisk check manually via chkntfs /x c: or Windows Registry
What Does Checking File System on C Mean?
When booting your computer, the checking file system on C message may appear on the screen. This indicates Windows is running the built-in utility CHKDSK to scan the primary system drive C for file system errors.
The full message is shown below:
Checking files system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Volume label is LOCALDISK.
One of your disks needs to be checked for consistency. You may cancel the disk check, but it is strongly recommended that you continue.
Windows will now check the disk.
To stop disk checking, press any key within xx seconds.
Note: C: refers to the main hard disk partition that contains the Windows operating system. If the system you are running is installed in D drive, you will receive checking file system on D.
This autodisk check process will be initiated when your computer was not shut down correctly or if something went wrong at the last shutdown. Most of the time, it might be a routine to check the consistency of the hard drive, so you don’t need to worry about it.
What Causes Checking File System on C Loop?
If checking file system on C the type of the file system is NTFS appears whenever the computer boots, it is abnormal.
The potential reasons may include:
- Improper shutdowns: An unexpected shutdown or power failure may trigger a file system check when Windows boots again.
- File system errors: The file system of your drive may be corrupted or inconsistent.
- Bad sectors: Damaged sectors on the drive can cause CHKDSK to fail or repeat.
- Drive marked as dirty: Windows may schedule a file system check when the C: drive is marked as dirty.
How to Fix Checking Files System on C on Windows 7/8/10/11?
Check the table to find the right solution based on your situation.
| Situation | Recommended Fix |
| The error appears once after an improper shutdown. | Let the disk check finish |
| The error occurs at every startup | Run chkdsk c: /f then chkdsk c: /r |
| You want to prevent the startup check | Use chkntfs /x c: |
Fix 1: Wait for the File System Check to Complete
If the drive check is still in progress, wait for it to complete. This may take some time, especially on a large or problematic drive.
It is not recommended to cancel CHKDSK.
Fix 2: Check File System Errors
Microsoft provides you with an inbuilt disk check utility to help you find and fix the file system errors. Even if some errors are hard to handle, it will show you detailed error information.
Step 1. Press Win + E at the same time to evoke File Explorer.
Step 2. Click on This PC and right-click on Local Disk (C:) to select Properties in the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Under the Tools tab, tap on Check. (In Windows 7, hit Check now.)
Step 4. Click on Scan drive to start the scanning. (In Windows 7, check the Fix the system errors automatically option and press Start.)
Tip: Most file system errors can be fixed by this method. For more solutions on file system errors, you can see this guide - File System Error - Solutions to Deal with it Quickly.
Fix 3: Find and Fix Bad Sectors
If there are bad sectors on the hard drive, you may be also stuck in Checking file system on C when the computer boots up. In this condition, CHKDSK will help you out. This is an inbuilt tool in Windows which enables you to check & fix disk for errors such as bad sectors, cross-linked files, lost clusters, and directory problems. Here’s how to get rid of checking file system on C NTFS with it:
Tip: Before performing disk checking and repairing, we sincerely advise you to create a backup for your data with MiniTool ShadowMaker to secure the important files and folders.
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Step 1. Type cmd in the search bar to locate Command Prompt and right-click on it to choose Run as administrator.
Step 2. Type chkdsk /f/c: and hit Enter. The /f parameter means to find and fix any errors on the hard disk.
Step 3. After the process is complete, type chkdsk C: /r and hit Enter. The /r parameter can help you to detect & locate the bad sectors on the target disk, and even attempt to recover the readable information from the bad sectors.
Step 4. Now, reboot your computer to see if checking file system on C disappears.
Fix 5: Stop Checking File System on C at Startup
If checking file system on C keeps appearing at startup, try the following methods to stop the automatic disk check.
- Use chkntfs
- Modify the Registry
- Disable the scheduled check
# Way 1: Run CHKNTFS in Command Prompt
CHKNTFS, also known as check NTFS, is a windows command line that displays or modifies automatic disk checking when the computer is started. Here’s how to remove checking file system on C via it:
Step 1. Run Command Prompt as an administrator.
Step 2. Type chkntfs /x c: and hit Enter.
The /x parameter means that one or more partitions will be excluded from checking when your computer boots up.
# Way 2: Disable Autochk via Administrative Tools
Another option is to disable Autochk from the scheduled tasks list. Here’s how to disable checking file system on C via Task Scheduler.
Step 1. Hit the Start icon and go to Control Panel.
Step 2. Click on System and Security and then scroll down to hit Administrative Tools.
Step 3. Find Task Scheduler and double-click on it. Expand the following folders: Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows.
Step 4. Find Autochk and double-click on it to choose Disable from the right-hand pane.
# Way 3: Modify the Registry
You can also stop the autocheck on C drive by modifying the registry on Registry Editor.
You had better create a backup for the registry database before making any changes to Registry Editor. By doing so, you can easily restore the registry from the backup when something goes wrong.
Step 1. Press the Win key + R to launch the Run dialog.
Step 2. Type regedit and hit the Enter key to open Registry Editor. If prompted by User Account Control, click on Yes to grant the permission.
Step 3. Move to the following path and expand the entries on the left-hand pane:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
Step 4. Find BootExecute in the right-hand panel and right-click on it to choose Modify in the drop-down menu.
Step 5. Under Value data, type /K:C before * to disable checking file system on C and press OK to confirm this action.
- * indicates that every drive is checked for consistency.
- The /K:C parameter can help you to disable the automatic file check on C drive when Windows starts.
Step 6. Quit Registry Editor.
Suggestion: Back up Your C Drive Before Proceeding
Now, your computer can boot up without checking files system on C. As you can see, it is hard to find the specific reason why your computer goes wrong most of the time, let alone the corresponding workarounds.
Therefore, it is essential to create a backup of your system. If anything goes wrong during the process, you can use the backup to restore the system back to the work state. To back up your system , use a reliable backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker.
This free tool is designed to provide data protection and disaster recovery solutions for Windows devices. It supports backing up your important files/folders, selected partitions, operating systems, and even the whole disk on Windows 10/11 and Windows Server 2022/2025.
Step 1. Download, install and launch this program.
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Step 2. Click on Keep Trial and go to the Backup page.
Step 3. In SOURCE, you can see the system required partitions are selected by default. Therefore, you only need to choose a storage path for your backup image in DESTINATION.
Step 4. Either hit Back Up Now to start the backup.
After the backup, it is recommended to create a bootable USB drive for disaster recovery even when Windows fails to boot. Just go to Tools > Media Builder and follow the on-screen instructions.
We Need Your Voice
By now, you must stop checking files system on C successfully with the solutions mentioned in this article. More importantly, you still have a risk of encountering the same issue again or making some mistakes during the troubleshooting process, resulting in data loss, hard drive failure or system crash.
In consequence, it is necessary to back up your system with MiniTool ShadowMaker to secure your system. For further queries about our product or the solutions in this article, welcome to leave your ideas in the comment zone or contact us via [email protected].
Checking Files System on C FAQ
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Vera has been working at the MiniTool Team for over 10 years as a technical editor and content writer. She mainly focuses on disk and partition management, data recovery, Windows backup and restore, and PC troubleshooting. Through in-depth software testing and hands-on experience, she has helped users solve a wide range of computer problems and better protect their data on Windows devices.
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