WinBook Tech Article
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Subject: System File Checker replaced the file USER.EXE and now Windows will not boot
Keywords: windows 98 95 user.exe boot splash screen
Tech Article Number: WBTA14000048

NOTE: You, the customer, are solely responsible for data security. WinBook strongly recommends that you perform a backup of all personal data contained on your system prior to performing this procedure. Warning: WinBook will NOT be held responsible for any data loss incurred during this process.


When running System File Checker in Windows, sometimes it will determine that the file “USER.EXE” may be corrupted and ask you to replace the file. After replacing the file Windows may no longer boot.

  1. Turn on the computer and start tapping the F8 key on boot to get to the Windows Startup Menu.
  2. Select option #5 for command prompt only and hit Enter.
  3. This should take you down to a C:\ prompt.
  4. At the command prompt type dir /s user.exe and hit Enter. If there is a backup copy of the file, it should be found in the c:\windows\helpdeak\sfc directory.
  5. If it does find a backup copy of user.exe in that directory, then you can type this line at the command prompt.
    copy c:\windows\helpdesk\sfc\user.exe c:\windows\system
  6. Press Enter. It should say 1 file copied, and take you back down to a c:\windows prompt again.
  7. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del to reboot, and Windows should boot properly again.

If you cannot find a copy of user.exe in the c:\windows\helpdesk\sfc directory, then windows would have to be reinstalled to correct the problem.


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