Boot CHKDSK from bootable USB stick

Sometimes it may be necessary to start the CHKDSK Windows system tool from a bootable USB stick. We'll show you how.

Variant 1: Prepare CHKDSK and the USB stick

First of all, you need a bootable USB stick. You can easily create this with a Microsoft tool or other programs:

1. Download the Windows 8 Setup Tool.
2. The program does not require installation. Start it directly from your download folder.
3. Now you have to make some basic settings. Use your own Windows installation as a guide.
4. If you are not sure, choose the following: "German" for "Language", "Windows 8.1" for "Edition" and "32-Bit" for "Architecture".
5. Next, choose whether you want to install the setup tool directly on a USB stick or download it as an ISO file. You can burn the ISO file to a DVD or install it on a USB stick using other programs. More on that later.
6. If you install directly on the USB stick, all you have to do now is connect and select the appropriate device.
7. All data on the device will be deleted. Once you've confirmed that, all you have to do is be patient. Your bootable Windows stick is already ready.
8. If your anti-virus program prevents autostart functions, you will receive a message that the installation was not successful. The stick should still work.
9. If this is not the case, deactivate the autostart block of your anti-virus program and start the installation again.
10. Alternatively, use an ISO file for the installation.

Variant 2: Create bootable CHKDSK USB stick with ISO file

If the USB installation does not work for you using the Windows tool, you can also download the Windows ISO and create the stick in another way:

1. You also need the Windows 8 Setup Tool for this.
2. Set the tool again according to your own Windows installation - for example "German" for "Language", "Windows 8.1" for "Edition" and "32-Bit" for "Architecture".
3. Now select the ISO download instead of the USB stick installation and wait until the ISO file has been downloaded.
4. In the meantime, also download the Universal USB Installer.
5. You can also start this program directly from the download folder without installation.
6. Under Step 1 choose "Windows 8 Installer".
7. In Step 2, click "Browse" and then locate the Windows ISO file that you downloaded earlier.
8. Finally, in step 3, select the USB stick on which you want to install. Click on "Format" to delete all old data from the stick before installation.
9. Now you have to wait again until the program has transferred the data from the ISO file to the USB stick.
10. Here, too, your anti-virus program can cause an error message. The stick should still work.

Start CHKDSK from the bootable USB stick

Since the bootable USB stick is prepared with the Windows repair functions, it is now up to the actual use. You can see the following steps again in our picture gallery.

1. Insert the USB stick and restart your computer.
2. Select the USB stick as the boot option. As a rule, you have to press F2 or F5 immediately after starting your computer.
3. The USB stick starts the installation program for Windows 8.
4. Set the installer according to your preferences. Standard should be: "German (Germany)" as "installation language", "German (Germany)" for "time and currency format" and "German" for "keyboard or input method".
5. In the next step, do not click on the big button "Install now", but in the lower left corner on "Computer repair options".
6. In the next step, go to "Troubleshoot".
7. Now select "Advanced Options" here.
8. In the next menu you can finally open the "Command Prompt".
9. You can run CHKDSK directly in the command prompt. Simply enter "chkdsk" (all entries without quotation marks) and press the [Enter] key. The currently selected drive is now checked.
10. By default, the command prompt begins with the path of the USB stick. To change to a different drive, simply enter the corresponding drive letter.
11. For example, if you enter "C:" and confirm with [Enter], the prompt will change to drive C.
12. Now you can type "chkdsk" again to check the current drive.
13. Repeat this process for all drives that you want to test.
14. When you are finished, close the input window and select "Switch off PC" in the menu. You can then restart your computer as usual.

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Use the [[//www.chip.de/downloads/Windows-8-Setup-Tool_64940095.html|Windows 8 Setup Tool]] to create a bootable USB stick. To do this, select your system settings.

Ideally, you should install the data directly on the USB stick.

Attention: All data on the stick will be removed.

Restart the computer, boot from the USB stick and select the appropriate installation settings.

Do not click Install Now, but click Computer Repair Options.

You can get to the prompt and CHKDSK from the "Troubleshoot" menu.

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Here you go to the "Advanced Options".

Now open the "Command Prompt".

By entering "chkdsk" (without quotation marks) you can check the currently selected drive.

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You can change the drive by entering the corresponding system letter. For example, to switch to C, enter "C:" and confirm with [Enter].