How to Stop Disk Check (CHKDSK) on Startup Windows 10
Q: Why does my computer run to a disk check every time I start it up?
"Every time I turn on my laptop it does a disk check. It never used to do this before, but now it's showing up all the time, taking me a long time to boot into Windows. How do I disable the disk check progress at the start in Windows 10? Can someone help me?"
The disk check utility (CHKDSK or chkdsk.exe) is helpful for scanning and repairing hard drive problems, but it can be annoying to see disk check running on every startup when you don't need it. To stop this, you can follow the steps to disable disk check on startup in Windows 10, allowing you to skip the checking progress and directly enter the system.
| Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
|---|---|
| #1. Using Windows 10 Command Prompt | Press Windows + X keys to bring up the context menu, select Command Prompt (Admin) ...Full steps |
| #2. Using Windows 10 Registry Editor | press windows + r keys to bring up the run box, type "services.msc" and press enter, then scroll down to the "Windows Update" service, right-click on it and select "Stop" to disable it.regedit...Full steps |
***Common issues related to Check Disk you might encounter:
Should You Stop Auto Disk Check During Windows Startup?
When you turn on a computer, if it starts scanning and repairing the drive (C:) or other drives like D: or E:, it may indicate a problem with the boot drive or data drive. If you've noticed a slow computer performance recently, let Windows complete the checking disk process from 0% to 100% complete.
If you're hesitant to run a disk check, you can bypass it by pressing any key within the specified time frame, but this will only temporarily avoid the issue, and the message will reappear on your next restart as Windows continues to think the drive needs repair.
The disk check is not always triggered to find issues, as it can be evoked by system events and insignificant problems, which may set it to take effect at the next system reboot and subsequent reboots. This can lead to a situation where the utility is repeatedly triggered, consuming system resources and potentially causing issues with system stability.
- Improper system shutdown
- Suspicious malware or virus infection
- Unplug any external device from the computer without safely ejecting
To cancel the automatic disk check, you can simply cancel the scheduled task. This will prevent the unwanted disk check from running constantly and causing irritation.
Two Ways to Stop Disk Check on Startup in Windows 10
You can stop Windows from running a disk check on startup in Windows 10/8/7, except in cases where it's forced to do so due to detected issues. To do this, you can follow one of two common methods. The guide is based on Windows 10 operating system.
#1. Using Windows 10 Command Prompt
- To open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges, press the Windows key + X, select Command Prompt (Admin) from the context menu, and click on it.
- On the Command Prompt window, type the command
#2. Using Windows 10 Registry Editor
- To open the Windows Registry Editor, press the Windows key + R keys to bring up the Run box, type "regedit" and click OK. This will open the Windows Registry Editor.
- To navigate to the Session Manager folder, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager. Double-click on BootExecute in the right pane and delete all lines under Value data except for autocheck autochk*.
Simple & Free Windows 10 Disk Check Alternative
If you're not familiar with CHKDSK parameters, running a disk check through Windows Command Prompt can be overwhelming. Alternatively, you might be looking for a simple and free solution that doesn't require you to run a disk check on every startup.
Qiling Partition Master is a comprehensive disk and partition manager for Windows, allowing users to manage their hard disks and external disks. It enables adjustments to partition size, file system conversion, disk cloning, and OS migration. The "Check partition" feature scans and repairs disk errors and bad sectors, similar to the Windows CHKDSK utility, and is available in the free version.
Step 1. Right-click the target partition that has a problem.
Step 2. Choose "Advanced" > "Check File System".
Step 3. In the Check File System window, select the "Fix the error on the disk" option.
Step 4. Click "Proceed" to check errors on your partition.
The disk check running on startup is usually a harmless process that can indicate potential issues with the hard disk or file system. It's a good idea to run it at least once when it first appears on a Windows startup screen. However, if it continuously scans and repairs a drive before allowing you to enter the Windows OS, you can stop it from running at startup by using the "chkntfs /x C:" command or by editing the Windows Registry to retain only the "autocheck autochk *" value.
For average computer users who struggle with the CHKDSK command, a free and user-friendly alternative like Qiling Partition Master can provide better disk and partition management in Windows 10/8/7.
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