Chkntfs - DOS/Command Prompt Reference
[Windows NT series / XP or later] Schedules an NTFS volume (disk) check for the next startup.
Syntax
chkntfs[.exe] <volume>...
chkntfs[.exe] /D
chkntfs[.exe] /T[:<time>]
chkntfs[.exe] /X <volume>...
chkntfs[.exe] /C <volume>...
Options
| <volume>... |
Specifies the volume name. The volume name can be a drive (drive letter + colon), a volume path starting with ‘\\?\Volume’ (excluding the trailing backslash), or a mount point (the path of the directory where the volume is mounted). You can confirm volume names and mount points using the Mountvol command. When specifying no options or the /X /C options, you need to specify the volume name. Multiple volume names can be specified, separated by spaces. |
| /D | Resets the next startup volume check to its default state (clears settings like /X or /C). In the default state, the volume will be checked at the next startup if it is in a ‘dirty’ state. |
| /T[:<time>] |
Sets the countdown time until the next startup volume check begins. Specifies the duration in seconds in ‘<time>’ (like ‘/T:8’). If only ‘/T’ is specified, the current settings will be displayed. |
| /X | Excludes the specified volume from the next startup volume check (ignores the ‘dirty’ state). |
| /C | Includes the specified volume in the next startup volume check (will check even if not in ‘dirty’ state). |
Details
Chkntfs has a name similar to the Chkdsk command, but it is not a command to check the volume on the spot; instead, it is a command to schedule volume checks for the next computer startup. If you need an immediate check, use the Chkdsk command. However, for the system drive, scheduling a check with Chkntfs may be more suitable, as there could be limitations in performing a thorough check due to reasons such as accessing files on the system drive.
Note that scheduling settings for the system drive and configurations using the ‘/T’ option require administrator privileges.
Samples
Sample
chkntfs /C C:
Sets up a volume check for the C drive at the next startup. If C drive is the system drive, executing this command requires administrator privileges.