How to Fix Ntfs.sys Missing or Corrupt in Windows 10 or 11? [10 Solutions]

About NTFS.SYS

NTFS.SYS is a critical system driver in Windows that manages the NTFS file system, which is used on most modern Windows hard drives and SSDs. It handles reading, writing, and organizing files and directories on NTFS-formatted drives.

Without NTFS.SYS, Windows cannot access or manage NTFS partitions, making it essential for system stability and booting. Corruption or deletion of this file can lead to boot failures, system crashes, or Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors.

Possible Causes of NTFS.SYS Missing or Corrupt

If you encounter “NTFS.SYS missing or corrupt” problem, it usually signals an issue with the system’s ability to read or manage NTFS-formatted drives. Understanding the common causes can help you troubleshoot effectively and prevent future problems.

• Corrupted System Files – Sudden shutdowns, failed updates, or software errors can damage critical system files, including NTFS.SYS.
• Malware or Virus Infection – Malicious programs may delete, modify, or block NTFS.SYS.
• Hard Drive or Disk Errors – Bad sectors or a failing drive can corrupt NTFS.SYS and other system files.
• Accidental Deletion – Users or third-party software may mistakenly remove or replace NTFS.SYS.
• Registry or Boot Configuration Errors – Misconfigured boot files or corrupted registry entries can trigger NTFS.SYS BSODs.

How to Fix NTFS.SYS Missing or CorruptIssue?

Once you know the possible causes, you can follow these steps to resolve the problem and restore Windows stability.

1. Launch Startup Repair

When NTFS.SYS is missing or corrupt, Windows may fail to boot normally. Startup Repair is a built-in tool that can automatically detect and fix boot-related issues.

Step 1. Insert a Windows installation USB or DVD and boot from it.

Step 2. Choose your language and click Next, then select "Repair your computer".

Step 3. Go to "Troubleshoot → Advanced Options".

Step 4. Choose "Startup Repair".

Step 5. Select your operating system and let Windows scan and repair the problem.

By using Startup Repair, you can often resolve NTFS.SYS errors without manually replacing files, restoring your system to a bootable state quickly and safely.

👉Check Also: Startup Repair Cannot Repair This Computer Automatically

2. Run System File Checker (SFC)

Corrupted system files, including NTFS.SYS, can prevent Windows from functioning properly. System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in tool that scans for missing or damaged system files and repairs them automatically.

Step 1. Press "Win+X", select "Command Prompt (Admin)".  If you cannot boot into Windows, just take the steps in the last method and choose "Command Prompt" in "Advanced Options" screen. 

Step 2. Type the command: sfc /scannow

Step 3. Press "Enter" and wait for the scan to complete.

SFC will repair any detected issues or notify you if further action is needed.

3. Run CHKDSK

Hard drive errors or bad sectors can corrupt system files like NTFS.SYS, leading to boot issues or BSODs. CHKDSK is a Windows utility that scans your drive for errors and attempts to repair them, which may resolve NTFS-related problems.

Open Command Prompt as Administratorand execute the command: chkdsk c: /f /r （C: is your system drive (adjust if Windows is on a different drive).）

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Press Enter and allow CHKDSK to complete; this may take some time depending on disk size and condition.

4. Use DISM Tool

Sometimes, system corruption extends beyond individual files like NTFS.SYS, affecting Windows image integrity. DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) repairs the Windows system image, which can fix corrupted or missing system files.

Type the command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for the process to complete; it may take several minutes. After DISM finishes, it's recommended to run SFC again to ensure all system files are repaired.

5. Manually Replace NTFS.SYS

If automated tools like SFC or DISM fail to restore NTFS.SYS, manually replacing the file can fix the problem. This ensures Windows can properly read and manage NTFS-formatted drives.

Step 1. Boot your PC using a Windows installation media (USB or DVD) and select "Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Command Prompt."

Step 2. Locate a good copy of NTFS.SYS from another working computer with the same Windows version and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).

Step 3. Copy the NTFS.SYS file to your PC using a command like: copy X:\path\to\NTFS.SYS C:\Windows\System32\drivers\

(Replace X: with your USB drive letter and adjust the path accordingly.)

Restart your computer and check if Windows boots normally.

Manually replacing NTFS.SYS is a direct way to resolve missing or corrupted file issues. Use this method carefully, ensuring the replacement file matches your system version, to restore system stability without risking further errors.

6. Check for Malware

Malware or viruses can damage, delete, or block critical system files like NTFS.SYS, leading to crashes or BSODs. Scanning for malicious programs ensures that your system files remain intact and prevents recurring errors.

Step 1. Boot into Safe Mode (Navigate: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. and select your desired Safe Mode option) to prevent malware from running.

Step 2. Use a reliable antivirus or antimalware tool (e.g., Windows Defender, Malwarebytes) to perform a full system scan. Quarantine or remove any detected threats.

Restart your computer and verify if the NTFS.SYS issue persists.

7. Update Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can sometimes cause NTFS.SYS errors, preventing Windows from booting or working properly. Keeping your drivers up to date ensures smooth communication between hardware and the operating system.

Step 1. Press "Win + X" and select "Device Manager".

Step 2. Expand categories such as Display adapters, Storage controllers, and Chipset.Right-click each device → "Update driver → Search automatically for updated driver software".

Restart your PC after the updates are installed.

8. Windows Update

Windows updates often include fixes for system bugs and security vulnerabilities that could affect NTFS.SYS functionality. Keeping your system updated ensures these fixes are applied.

Step 1. Press "Win + I → Update & Security → Windows Update".

Step 2. Click "Check for updates".

Install all pending updates and restart your computer to apply the changes.

9. Test RAM

Faulty or unstable RAM can corrupt system files, including NTFS.SYS, leading to crashes or BSODs. Testing memory can identify hardware issues.

Step 1. Press "Win + R", type "mdsched.exe", and press Enter.Or directly search it on your the Start menu.

Step 2. Choose "Restart now and check for problems".

Your PC will reboot and test the memory automatically.

Check the test results in the Windows Event Viewer after booting.

10. System Restore

If NTFS.SYS errors started recently, rolling back Windows to a previous working state can often resolve the issue without affecting personal files.

Step 1. Press "Win + R", type "rstrui.exe", and press Enter.

Step 2. Follow the wizard to select a restore point before the error appeared.

Confirm and start the restoration. Restart your PC when prompted.

If you cannot start up Windows, just choose a point and perform system restore in WinRE mode: "Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Restore."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I know if the NTFS.SYS file is missing or corrupt?

A: You may encounter error messages like 'NTFS.SYS is missing or corrupt' or experience frequent system crashes and booting issues.

Q: Can I restore the NTFS.SYS file from a backup?

A: If you have a backup of the file, you can restore it using the backup software or built-in backup and restore options.

Q: What if none of the solutions work?

A: If the issue persists, it could indicate more significant system problems. It is recommended to reinstall the operating system from scratch. But before that, we had better recover files from the unbootable or bootable computer to protect our precious data.

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Q: How do I prevent NTFS.SYS missing or corrupt issues?

A: Regularly update your operating system, keep your device drivers up to date, use reliable antivirus software, and avoid unsafe downloads or websites.

Conclusion

When you encounter the NTFS.SYS missing or corrupt issue on Windows 10, you can take the above methodsto overcome this problem effectively. If you have to perform a clean install, please ensure you have recovered what you need and safe them to a safe location.