Do I need to restart to run chkdsk in Windows 11?

Only for the drive Windows is currently running from (usually C:). Other drives can often be scanned live.

Can I cancel a scheduled chkdsk before restarting?

Yes, run chkdsk /x C: /f cancel is not a real switch — instead use fsutil dirty query C: to check status, or run chkntfs /x C: to exclude it from the next boot-time check.

How to Run CHKDSK in Windows 11

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Windows 11 runs chkdsk the same way earlier versions did, via an elevated command prompt or the drive's Properties dialog. Here's the full process, including what to expect on reboot.

Updated August 9, 2026 · PC Utility Hub Editorial Team

Method 1: Command Prompt

1Click Start, type cmd, then choose 'Run as administrator'.
2Type chkdsk C: and press Enter for a read-only report, or chkdsk C: /f /r for a full repair scan.
3If the drive is in use, type Y when asked to schedule the scan on next restart.
4Restart the PC. The scan runs before the desktop loads, showing progress through several stages.
5After Windows boots, check Event Viewer (source Wininit) for the full results.

Method 2: File Explorer

1Open File Explorer and right-click the drive.
2Select Properties, then the Tools tab.
3Click Check under 'Error checking'.
4If Windows reports no errors, you can still force a scan by using the /f /r switches in Command Prompt instead.

Scheduling an offline scan without restarting immediately

This queues the scan for the next boot without dismounting the volume right away, useful when you want to keep working and restart later on your own schedule.

chkdsk C: /f /r /x

Checking a non-system drive

For a secondary internal drive or an external USB drive, chkdsk D: /f often runs immediately since Windows can lock that volume without affecting the running OS. Close any open files or programs using that drive first.

What the on-screen stages mean

Stage	What it checks
Stage 1	File records and basic structure
Stage 2	Index entries (folder structure)
Stage 3	Security descriptors
Stage 4/5	Bad sectors and free space (only with /r)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to restart to run chkdsk in Windows 11?: Only for the drive Windows is currently running from (usually C:). Other drives can often be scanned live.
Can I cancel a scheduled chkdsk before restarting?: Yes, run chkdsk /x C: /f cancel is not a real switch — instead use fsutil dirty query C: to check status, or run chkntfs /x C: to exclude it from the next boot-time check.