Sfc error code 0x000004dd

 

Symptoms:

Whenever you try to run sfc /scannow you get the following error:

"Windows File Protection could not initiate a scan of protected system files.

The specific error code is 0x000004dd [The operation being requested was not performed because the user has not logged on to the network. The specified service does not exist]."

 

Cause:

Normally this is caused when you are trying to run the executable from an elevated prompt: Under Windows XP you use for example "Run As…" option.

This is by Microsoft design.

 

Resolution:

You must be logged on locally (on the console) as a member of the Administrators group. Neither elevated prompt from a non-administrative account nor RDP session can handle sfc-command properly.

 

Links:

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7 comments

  1. Hi,
    Works for me. Thank you very much, I’ve used elevated cmd (run as).
    “This is by Microsoft design.” This is not a bug this is a feature! 😀

  2. BTW. In terminal services in Win2k3 server and perhaps in XP pro there is an option to log on to console via RDP.

    1. I will be happy if you try the /admin switch – or was it /console then? I don’t have 2003 or XP anymore – and provide a feedback, but according to MS support webpages it shouldn’t work.

    1. Thanks for the check and feedback, I appreciate your contribution and hope that this will help our future viewers.

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