CHKDSK

CHKDSK is a command-line utility that enables users to easily verify their hard disks for bad sectors and attempt to fix them in just a matter of clicks. It does not require special experience in software applications.

While modern programs come with intuitive graphical interfaces for carrying out tasks rapidly, some users prefer working with Command Prompt dialogs, as they only require a few written lines to perform a job.

These program types are usually more flexible than graphical interfaces and run on lower CPU and RAM, so they do not affect the overall performance of the computer or interrupt normal activity.

Plus, these tools do not require installation, so they can be run from any location on the hard disk, as well as on other machines directly from USB flash drives or similar storage units.

To get started with CHKDSK you have to specify a drive or volume name to verify for errors, and ask the app to try and fix them, as well as to locate bad sectors and recover readable information.

If a drive cannot be locked for scanning (i.e. currently in use), it is possible to schedule it for checkup at the next run. Otherwise, CHKDSK shows log details, such as index and USN Journal verification.

Locating bad sectors and recovering readable information may take a while to finish, but the app is thorough and uses low CPU and RAM. No errors were shown in our tests, and the utility did not hang or crash. CHKDSK is a nice addition to any power user's utility belt for verifying drives.