AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery
How to Use CHKDSK to Fix the Corruption Problem in Windows 10 and 11?
Do you know how to use CHKDSK to fix the corruption problem in Windows 10 and 11? This passage will give you a comprehensive guide as well as a method to recover lost data caused by CHKDSK.
By Irene / Updated on March 18, 2025
About the error: the selected volume may be corrupted
When attempting to shrink a partition using Disk Management in Windows 10, 8, or 7, you might encounter an error message stating: "The volume you have selected to shrink may be corrupted. Use Chkdsk to fix the corruption problem, and then try to shrink the volume again." This error prevents you from reducing the partition size unless you first resolve the corruption issue using Chkdsk.
Why does the error happen?
This error appears when Windows detects file system errors in the selected partition. These errors could be due to issues such as corruption in the DOS Boot Record (DBR), Master File Table ($MFT), or File Allocation Table (FAT). Here’s a table listing the possible causes of the error:
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| File System Errors | General file system corruption preventing proper partition management. |
| DOS Boot Record (DBR) Corruption | Damage to the boot record, which stores essential partition information. |
| Master File Table ($MFT) Corruption | Corruption in the MFT, which keeps track of all files on an NTFS partition. |
| File Allocation Table (FAT) Corruption | Issues in the FAT, which manages file storage on FAT-based partitions. |
| Bad Sectors on the Disk | Physically damaged areas on the disk that affect partition operations. |
| Unexpected System Shutdown | Power failures or crashes that lead to incomplete disk operations and corruption. |
| Malware or Virus Attacks | Malicious software damaging critical partition structures. |
| Disk Errors Due to Aging or Wear | Gradual degradation of the storage device affecting data integrity. |
If you encounter this problem, there are some possible solutions. At least one of them should allow you to successfully fix the issue and shrink the partition in Windows.
How to use CHKDSK to fix the corruption problem in Windows 10 and 11
File system errors can usually be fixed with Chkdsk (Check Disk), a built-in Windows tool that detects and repairs disk issues like file system corruption and bad sectors. The best way to resolve the error is to run Chkdsk on the partition you want to shrink. If this doesn’t work, you can use an alternative tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant to resize the partition without fixing the error.
You can run Chkdsk in different ways, but the simplest methods are through Command Prompt or This PC. Using an installation disk is possible but unnecessary in most cases. Below is a step-by-step guide to running Chkdsk using Command Prompt.
Step 1. Press the Windows key and type cmd. Then, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: chkdsk e: /f /r /x
Step 3. Understand what each parameter does.
🔷 "e" represents the drive letter of the partition that needs repair.
🔷chkdsk /f scans for and fixes detected errors.
🔷chkdsk /r identifies bad sectors and retrieves readable data.
🔷chkdsk /x unmounts the volume before the scan starts.
Step 4. If there is a chance of system file corruption, run the System File Checker tool after Chkdsk by entering sfc /scannow and pressing Enter.
Step 5. Once the errors are fixed, try shrinking the partition again using Disk Management.
Bonus tip: How to recover data lost in the process?
Using Chkdsk to fix corruption usually doesn’t cause data loss, but if an accident happens and important files are removed, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery can help restore them. This easy-to-use tool recovers lost files from formatted hard drives, SSDs, USBs, and more, with a high success rate—even for severely damaged drives. It supports NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT file systems and works with over 1,000 storage devices.
With a simple interface, it allows users to recover documents, videos, and other files effortlessly. The preview feature ensures accurate recovery. Compatible with all Windows versions, it’s a secure and reliable solution for data recovery.
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.
Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.
Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".
Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.
Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering ends.
Conclusion
The error "The selected volume may be corrupted" occurs due to file system issues, bad sectors, or other disk-related problems. Running Chkdsk can often resolve the issue, allowing you to shrink the partition successfully. If Chkdsk doesn’t work, alternative tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant can help resize partitions without fixing the error. Additionally, if any data is lost during the process, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery provides a reliable way to restore files. By following these steps, you can effectively manage your partitions and recover lost data if needed with all AOMEI PA products.
