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FIX: DISM error 2 in Windows 10/11 PC
4 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
The DISM or DeploymentImageServicing and Management tool, also known as the System Update Readiness tool, helpsfix some Windows corruption errorsthat may cause updates and service packs not to install, like if afileis damaged.
This tool can be used to service aWindowsimageor prepare a WinRE (WindowsRecovery Environment) and/or WinPE (WindowsPreinstallation Environment)image, but, it can also be used to service .wim (Windowsimage) or .vhd/.vhdx (virtual hard disk).
Whenever you try to use the DISM command line and get the DISMerror2 displayed as a message, you may not know the first thing to do in such a case, but there are solutions you can try as outlined below, to fix theerror.
How to fix DISM error 2
1. Temporarily disable or uninstall your antivirus
Sometimes yoursecurity softwarecan get in the way of some of the processes on your computer, so in the case of a DISMerror2 issues, you can temporarily disable the antivirus, or uninstall it, and if the issue persists, you can unmount theimageand check the result again.
Remember to reinstall or enable your antivirus once you’re done.
2. Check your DISM version
Ensure you’re using the correct version of DISM that is installed with theWindowsADK. Also, do not mountimagesto protected folders like the UserDocuments folder.
If DISM processes are interrupted, temporarily disconnect from the network, and consider running commands from WinPE instead.
3. Refresh the DISM tool
Restart and then run an SFC scan in Safe Mode by doing the following:
If this doesn’t help, try the next solution.
4. Reset your PC with Keep my files option
If you’ve tried the system restore and it doesn’t work, reset your PC with Keep myfilesoption.
Performing a reset allows you to choose whichfilesyou want to keep, or remove, and then reinstalls Windows, so follow the steps below:
Note:all your personalfileswill be deleted and settings reset. Any apps you installed will be removed, and only pre-installed apps that came with your PC will be reinstalled.
5. Use Disk Cleanup tool
Since DISM tool won’t work or brings up DISM error 2, and Disk Cleanup can’t release much space, use the Disk Defragmenter to rearrange fragmented data on the system by doing the following:
Have you managed to fix DISM error 2 on your computer using any of these solutions? Let us know by leaving a comment in the section below.
More about the topics:dism
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.