How to Fix “Windows Resource Protection Could Not Perform the Requested Operation” Error

Plus what this error really means

Whenever you need tofix a BSOD erroror any other type of Windows error, the first tool you probably reach for is the System File Checker. But what happens if you run anSFC scanand it throws you an error as well?

SFC Scannow can automatically fix many computer errors. Unfortunately, it can go haywire too. The most common issue when using the system file checker is the “windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation” error. Read on to learn what this error means and how you can fix it.

What’s Windows Resource Protection?

Windows Resource Protection is a Windows feature that protects important system folders, files, and registry keys. If you try to replace a critical system file, WRP kicks in and replaces the modified file with a cached copy of the original file to prevent operating system errors.

The SFC tool is part of Windows Resource Protection. That’s why you get the “windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation” error when something goes wrong with the SFC tool.

How to Fix “Windows Resource Protection Could Not Perform the Requested Operation” Error

Several issues can cause this SFC error. Usually, other Windows components conflict with the tool. In other cases, thehard drive is causing the errorwhen you attempt to scan it using the scannow command. Either way, you need to follow a few troubleshooting steps to find the root of the error and fix it.

How do you fix adiagnostic tool? By using another diagnostic tool, of course! The chkdsk command can fix a wide range of logical and physical errors related to your hard drive. This means it can also fix the “windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation” error.

  1. Typecmdin the Windows search box to find theWindows Command Promptprogram and click onRun as administrator.

  2. Typechkdsk X: /rby replacing X with your hard drive’s letter and schedule the drive check with the next system restart.

After you restart your computer, the chkdsk tool will look for any disk errors and fix them. If any issue with the hard drive prevented you from using the SFC tool, the error should be gone now.

If another system component conflicts with the system file checker, try running the scannow command insafe mode.

  1. Typemsconfigin the Windows search bar and run the system configuration app.

  2. Go to theBootpanel at the top of the configuration Window, and tick theSafe bootoption.

  3. ClickOKand restart your computer.

Your PC will now boot in Safe Mode. Try the SFC scannow tool to see if it works.

If theWindows Modules Installeris disabled, your computer isn’t getting any updates so SFC might be encountering errors. Here’s how you can make sure it’s enabled:

  1. Typeservicesin the Windows search bar and open theServicesapplication.

  2. Scroll through the list of services and findWindows Modules Installer.

  3. Double-click on the Windows Modules Installer and set theStartup typetoManualif it’s disabled.

Try running the scannow command now.

If nothing helped so far, it’s time to try the Automatic Repair feature. Windows will automatically check for anything that isn’t set up as it should be and attempt to reset it to its default status. Don’t worry, the automatic repair process won’t delete any of your data.

  1. Go toSettingsby searching for settings in the Windows search bar.

  2. SelectUpdate & Security.

  3. In the left panel, selectRecovery.

  4. In the right panel, click on theRestart nowbutton.

  5. Your PC will now start in the Windows Recovery Environment.

  6. Navigate toTroubleshooting>Advanced Optionsand click onAutomatic Repair.

The automatic repair process will begin. Windows will look for anything out of the ordinary and automatically fix it. If it detects a problem that it can’t fix, it will give you a warning, and you’ll at least be able to take the appropriate steps depending on the error.

So you’ve tried everything, and SFC scannow still doesn’t work as it should. It’s time for a system reset. Make sure you’ve tried everything else to make the SFC tool work because the reset will wipe your system clean. Back up all your important data before proceeding.

There are several ways to do this, but you should use the basic recovery option unless you prefer one of the otherWindows reinstallation options.

  1. Go back toSettings>Update & Security>Recovery.

  2. Click on theGet Startedbutton right under “Reset this PC.”

  3. Select theRemove everythingoption to reset Windows back to its factory state in the next Window.

You can also choose theKeep my filesoption, but the safest bet is just to wipe your PC clean.

Does SFC Work as Intended?

Hopefully, your “windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation” error is now gone for good. Let us know in the comments below which solution worked for you. If you know of any other fix for this error, feel free to share it!

Nicolae is a Jack of all trades technology writer with a focus on hardware, programming languages, and AI image-processing software. Over the last five years, he has ghostwritten numerous tech how-to guides and books on a variety of topics ranging from Linux to C# programming and game development. Nicolae loves everything that has to do with technology and his goal is to share his knowledge and experience with others.Read Nicolae’s Full Bio

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