System File Checker vs Service Pack Reinstall

Question

When trying to repair slow workstations, I've found that running sfc /scannow helps quite a lot in a few of my environments running really old computers. I've also seen recommendations of reinstalling the last service pack after software installation to help keep the system stable. That makes sense as it would replace a lot of the dll files with the ones that would come with the service pack.

They both seem to do the same thing, but SFC some times will ask for a disk, where the Service Pack will not. What is the main difference between the two?

It looks to me like you may be talking about Windows but we shouldn't have to play guessing games. Please clarify and tag accordingly. — John Gardeniers, Jun 09 '11 at 02:01
Yes, Windows. Some times the obvious stuff is over looked. Thanks — Nixphoe, Jun 09 '11 at 02:05

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 08 '11 at 23:35

2

sfc appears to be similar to doing a "repair files" with the installation CD/DVD, where the nature of a Service Pack is that it is providing updated files.

In use, applying a Service Pack may not address damaged files that are not part of the Service Pack, where sfc repairs may result in the need to reapply a Service Pack to get the correct/up-to-date revisions.

answered Jun 08 '11 at 23:35

user48838

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Thanks, I had a hunch that was it, I just wanted to make sure. – Nixphoe Jun 09 '11 at 18:42
No problem...No problem... – user48838 Jun 09 '11 at 18:47

System File Checker vs Service Pack Reinstall

1 Answers1