How-To

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

By Brian Burgess

Published May 25, 2023

Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation is an error that appears using the SFC tool on Windows. To fix it, follow this guide.

Running a System File Checker (or SFC) scan is essential for solving several Windows errors. But what happens if SFC displays a “Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation” error?

Like having the ability to fix PowerShell not working on Windows, you can use different steps to resolve the SFC resource protection error.

An SFC scan is a common built-in diagnostic utility that scans for corrupt system files and repairs them. So, if SFC displays a Windows resource protection error, you can use other built-in utilities to get it working again.

Addressing Windows Resource Protection Errors

Windows Resource Protection (WRP) is a resource in the OS that protects vital system files, folders, and registry keys from being replaced. WRP protects these important operating system components to prevent app and system failures.

If WRP cannot operate due to component conflicts (from SFC, for example), it may decide the changes harm your system and throw up an error. Multiple things can be at play here, from a command malfunction to a conflicting service or an app conflict. Whatever the cause, you can use the following options to fix the resource protection error.

Note: This article mainly uses Windows 10 screenshots, but you can use the same steps if you get the resource protection error on Windows 11.

Run the ChkDsk Utility

While the sfc /scannow command may not work, you can use the ChkDsk utility to fix the problem. ChkDsk is also a command line utility that scans your drive for errors and repairs them.

To run ChkDsk on Windows:

1. Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, and click the Run as Administrator option from the Start menu.
2. When the PowerShell terminal launches, type the following command and press Enter:

   chkdsk C: /r

3. When the message to schedule the scan appears, type Y and press Enter.
4. Close out of PowerShell, save your work, and restart your PC.
5. The ChkDsk utility will scan for errors with your drive and repair them as necessary. The scan can take a while to complete, and you’ll see a notification at the bottom of the screen indicating it’s running.

When ChkDsk is complete, open PowerShell and try to run the sfc /scannow command. Also, note that you can run the ChkDsk utility from Command Prompt with elevated privileges.

Run SFC in Safe Mode

Usually, a ChkDsk scan will often fix the problem, but if it doesn’t, you still have options. One of them is to run the SFC utility in Safe Mode. Running SFC in Safe Mode will eliminate the potential of conflicting apps and services.

To boot Windows in Safe Mode:

1. Press Windows key + R to launch the Run dialog window.
2. Type msconfig and click OK or press Enter.
3. Select the Boot tab at the top, and check Safe boot and Minimal under the Boot options section.
4. Click Apply and OK and restart your PC.
5. Your PC will boot Windows into Safe Mode with only essential services and components.
6. Launch PowerShell or Command Prompt with elevated privileges and run the sfc /scannow command to see if it works sans errors.

Enable the Windows Modules Installer

The Windows Modules Installer must be enabled for SFC to change missing or corrupt WRP resources. SFC should automatically enable the service before the scan, but you should double-check to ensure it’s running.

To ensure Windows Modules Installer is running:

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type services.msc and click OK.
3. Double-click the Windows Modules Installer service.
4. Ensure the Startup type option is set to Manual and click OK.
5. If the startup type was set to disabled, it could be why SFC isn’t working. So, open the terminal with elevated privileges and see if you can run the SFC scan error-free.

Use Windows Automatic Repair

If you are still having problems with the resource error, you can use the Windows Automatic Repair option. Windows will check for system errors or misconfigurations and reset them. This is not a PC reset and doesn’t delete files or revert your settings.

To use the Windows Automatic Repair option:

1. Press Windows key + I to launch Settings.
2. Select Update & Security.
3. Select Recovery > Advanced startup and press the Restart now button.
4. On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery and click the Restart now button next to the Advanced startup option.
5. Your PC will restart and present a blue menu with Advanced options.
6. Select the Automatic Repair option.

Allow the process to run and when it’s complete, sign in and run the SFC command to see if it can run a scan successfully.

The above steps should resolve the WRP error that SFC is producing. But if the problem persists, you can reinstall Windows as a last resort. Just ensure you have a recent system backup so you can recover Windows from a system image.

Fixing Windows System Errors

Using the steps above, you should be able to quickly resolve the Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation error on Windows 11.

If you’re having a problem with Windows, regardless of what it is, running the SFC utility is vital in most instances to help fix the problem. However, if it gives you a Windows resource protection error, luckily, other built-in system utilities allow you to fix it. There are other errors on Windows that you may need to fix, however.

For example, you might need to fix the 0x8007045d error on Windows or fix ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error on Windows. In addition to system and other software errors, you can have difficulties with hardware and need to fix device code 43 errors.

And printers always seem to pop up errors—if you’re seeing printing issues, you may need to fix print spooler errors on Windows next.