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fsutil dirty

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Applies to: Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8

Queries or sets a volume's dirty bit. When a volume's dirty bit is set, autochk automatically checks the volume for errors the next time the computer is restarted.

Syntax

fsutil dirty {query | set} <volumepath>

Parameters

Parameter Description
query Queries the specified volume's dirty bit.
set Sets the specified volume's dirty bit.
<volumepath> Specifies the drive name followed by a colon or GUID in the following format: volume{GUID}.

Remarks

  • A volume's dirty bit indicates that the file system may be in an inconsistent state. The dirty bit can be set because:

    • The volume is online and it has outstanding changes.

    • Changes were made to the volume and the computer was shut down before the changes were committed to the disk.

    • Corruption was detected on the volume.

  • If the dirty bit is set when the computer restarts, chkdsk runs to verify the file system integrity and to attempt to fix any issues with the volume.

Examples

To query the dirty bit on drive C, type:

fsutil dirty query c:

  • If the volume is dirty, the following output displays: Volume C: is dirty

  • If the volume isn't dirty, the following output displays: Volume C: is not dirty

To set the dirty bit on drive C, type:

fsutil dirty set C: