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February 8, 2017

[FIXED] Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation

Whenever you run SFC (System File Checker), the process stops in the middle and gives you this error” Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation”? Then don’t worry in this guide we are going to fix this issue in no time, follow the below-listed steps.

Fix Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation

Why the error Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation occurs when running SFC command?

  • Damaged, corrupt, or missing files
  • SFC cannot access the winsxs folder
  • Damaged Hard disk partition
  • Corrupted Windows files
  • Wrong System Architecture

[Fixed] Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation

Method 1: Run Windows CHKDSK

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Command Prompt(Admin).

command prompt with admin rights

2. Type the following command in cmd and hit enter:

CHKDSK C: /R

3. Next, it would ask to schedule the scan when the system restarts, so type Y and hit enter.

CHKDSK scheduled

4. Restart your PC and wait for the Check Disk Scan to finish.

Note: CHKDSK may take some time to complete depending upon the size of your hard disk.

Method 2: Modify Security Descriptors

In most cases, the error occurs because the SFC cannot access the winsxs folder, so you have to manually modify the security descriptors of this folder to Fix Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation error.

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Command Prompt (Admin).

2. Type the following command in cmd and hit enter:

ICACLS C:Windowswinsxs

ICALS command to Modify Security Descriptors winsxs folder

3. Close the command prompt and restart your PC.

Method 3: Run DISM commands

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Command Prompt(Admin).

command prompt with admin rights

2. Type the following command in cmd and hit enter after each one:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

DISM restore health system

3. Wait till the DISM process finishes, then reboot your PC and see if you’re able to Fix Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation error.

Method 4: Run Windows Update troubleshooter

1. Open your web browser and go to this link.

2. Next, select your version of Windows and download the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

download windows update troubleshooter

3. Double-click the downloaded file to run.

4. Follow the onscreen instruction to finish the process.

5. Restart your PC.

Method 5: Run Startup/Automatic Repair

1. Insert the Windows 10 bootable installation DVD and restart your PC.

2. When prompted to Press any key to boot from CD or DVD, press any key to continue.

Press any key to boot from CD or DVD

3. Select your language preferences, and click Next. Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left.

Repair your computer

4. On choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot.

Choose an option at windows 10 automatic startup repair

5. On the Troubleshoot screen, click the Advanced option.

select advanced option from troubleshoot screen

6. On the Advanced options screen, click Automatic Repair or Startup Repair.

run automatic repair

7. Wait till the Windows Automatic/Startup Repairs complete.

8. Restart and you have successfully fix Fix Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation; if not, continue.

Also Read: How to fix Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC.

Method 6: Run %processor_architecture%

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Command Prompt(Admin).

command prompt with admin rights

2. Type the following command in cmd and hit enter:

echo %processor_architecture%

Now you know your computer architecture; if it returns x86, you may try to run the SFC command on a 64-bit machine from the 32-bit cmd.exe.

In Windows, there are two different versions of cmd.exe:

%windir%SysWow64 (64-bit)
%windir%system32 (32-bit)

You must be thinking that the one in SysWow64 would be the 64-bit version, but you are wrong as SysWow64 is a part of Microsoft’s deception. I am saying this because Microsoft does this to make the 32-bit application run seamlessly on a 64-bit Windows. SysWow64 works with System32, where you can find the 64-bit versions.

Hence, what I have concluded is that SFC can’t run properly from a 32-bit cmd.exe found in SysWow64.

If this is the case, then you need to do a clean install of Windows again.

That’s it, you have successfully Fix Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation, but if you still have any questions regarding this post, feel to ask them in the comments section.