In Windows 2000 and XP, how can I check a disk for errors?

Note: Before checking volumes or drives for errors, make sure that all other programs are closed, and disable your screen saver.

1. From My Computer, or in Windows Explorer, select the volume you want to check by clicking it once.
   
   
2. From the File menu, select Properties.
   
   
3. Select the Tools tab.
   
   
4. Under "Error-checking", click Check Now.
   
   
5. In the Check Disk dialog box, select the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors checkbox.
   
   
6. Click Start to begin.
   
   
7. If you selected Automatically fix filesystem errors, Windows will display a message that says:

   "The disk check could not be performed because exclusive access to the drive could not be obtained. Do you wish to schedule this disk check to occur the next time you restart the system?"

   Click Yes, and then restart your computer. During the boot process, you will see Windows run the disk check.

Also see:

• What should I do about a disk error?
• What is ScanDisk?
• Why is my Windows computer running slowly?