Microsoft Windows users may encounter a problem when attempting to use the “SFC /SCANNOW” command where they receive an error that says:
Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service.
Follow these steps to attempt to fix the problem.
The error above is normally caused by the Windows Modules Installer service not being started. Start it with these steps.
- Select “Start” and type “CMD“.
- Right-click “Command Prompt” then choose “Run as administrator“.
- If prompted, enter a username and password that grants admin rights to the computer.
- Type “sc config trustedinstaller start= auto“, then press “Enter“. You should get a “SUCCESS” message.
- Type “net start trustedinstaller“, then press “Enter“. You should receive a message that the service was started.
Now try the “sfc /scannow” command. It should work without issue now.
Tracy says
Thank you, very much Mitch!
I’m adding that one to my list of tricks– awesome sauce!
Cheers from AU,
;)
Ernest says
Just like “SCOTT” above.
I still get the same error message. “Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service”
I got “SUCCESS” with the first command as well as what is listed above for the second command
I have had no icons on anything and I am unable to view the properties of any file, folder, etc.
The commands still work, just no icons. In the task manager it is now very difficult to stop running
applications and do other fun stuff.
Scott says
Still doesnt allow it to work for me… oh well :(
Gary says
@Ben : An amazing catch there! THANK YOU! *HOW* did you work that one out?
I was using a 32 bit console called console2, and running as an administrator – was frustrating as hell as nothing worked. For me, this was the missing link in the chain. Really grateful man, as this has been bugging me for months. Microsoft really should have caught this one with a more meaningful error message… I wonder how many human years have been wasted from misleading error messages!