SFC Windows Resource Protection Could not Perform the Requested Operation

When some Windows functions don’t work or Windows system crashes, we often use the System File Checker (SFC) to scan and restore corrupted Windows system files. It usually gets the problem fixed by finding and restoring corrupted or missing system files to the working state. But this tool is not working well as we have expected all the time. An increasing number of users are reporting that they get "Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation" error message while performing the "sfc /scannow" command.

Being tortured by sfc scannow stuck or failing error, you might blame various reasons. But it is not the thing should get the most attention. What you should concern most is how to deal with the "Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation" error message so that you can get sfc scannow work properly. Now, follow the solutions below to get the error fixed in Windows 10/8/7!

Step 1. Click the "Select backup contents" button to start backup.

Step 2. There are four data backup categories, File, Disk, OS, and Mail, click File.

Step 3. Both local and network files will be listed on the left. You can expand the directory to select the files to be backed up.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen guide, select the destination where you want to save the backup.

Click "Options" to encrypt the backup with password in "Backup Options", set the backup schedule and choose to start back up at certain event in "Backup Scheme". There are also many other options you can explore, customize the backup task according to your need.

Step 5. You can store the backup to local drive, EaseUS's cloud service, and NAS.

Step 6. EaseUS Todo Backup enables users to back up data to both third-party cloud drive and its own cloud drive.

If you want to back up data to third-party cloud drive, choose Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device, add and login your account.

You can also choose EaseUS's own cloud drive. Click EaseUS Cloud, sign up with your EaseUS Account and log in.

Step 7. Click "Backup Now" to start backup. After the backup task is completed, it will be displayed in the form of a card on the left side of the panel. Right-click the backup task to further manage it.

After you have backed up data, you can solve the problem with the help of the three methods.

Solution 1. Run CHKDSK

If there were errors on your hard drive, SFC would also fail. CHKDSK can check the integrity of your hard disk and fix various file system errors. 

Step 1: Click Win key and search "Command Prompt".

Step 2: Right-click on the search results and select "Run as Administrator".

Step 3: Click "Yes" when prompted by User Account Control. And if you are asked to enter your administrator password, make sure you enter it correctly.

Step 4: In the Command Prompt window, Type CHKDSK C: /r and press "Enter".

Step 5: When asked to schedule checking disk, type y, and press "Enter" again.

Step 6: Reboot your PC and wait until the CHKDSK finishes to check disk and fix the detected errors.

Step 7: Run SFC again to check if it can complete. 

If command line is not your ideal choice, you can apply this command-line alternative tool - EaseUS CleanGenius. Use this one-click tool to fix the file system error on your hard drive.

Step 1. Download EaseUS CleanGenius on your computer for free.

Step 2. Run the software. Click "Optimization" on the left panel, and then choose "File Showing" . 

Step 3. Go to "Choose drive" and select the drive with a file system error. Check the "Check and fix file system error" option and click "Execute".

Step 4. Wait the EaseUS CleanGenius completes the repairing process. After that, click the "here" to view the result.

Solution 2. Modify the Security Descriptors on the Winsxs Folder

If the error message still pops up, it suggests that the problem has nothing to do with the disk errors. Then continue to check another possibility - the SFC utility cannot access the Winsxs folder (C:\Windows\winsxs) because of some issues with the folder's security descriptors. 

Step 1: Open the command prompt by following the above steps.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, Type ICACLS C:\Windows\winsxs and press "Enter".

Step 3: Wait until the command is executed, then close the Command Prompt.

Step 4: Restart your computer and run SFC again to check if the problem has been fixed.

Solution 3. Reinstall the System

If all the above methods are failing to work, try to reinstall the system. It is the quickest route to fix "Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation" error. Before you take actions, back up wanted data on the system drive.

Step 1: Go to the Microsoft  Media Creation Tool page and click the Download tool now button.

Step 2: Accept the license agreement

Step 3: Keep the default which is to Upgrade your PC and click "Next".

Step 4: Go ahead and follow the prompts to finish the process.