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How to fix ‘DISM error 87’ on Windows 10?

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User experience is often elevated by the use of third-party software. These software can give you anything from stats monitoring to productivity boosts. In this article, we bring you the top five windows software/apps every user should have. Note that some power users might already be aware of them. The programs on this list are pretty common. Rainmeter Rainmeter is a program used to create perplexing windows desktops. Below is my own desktop, modelled after a Bumblebee theme. My desktop, modelled using Rainmeter Using Rainmeter can take your Windows Desktop to a whole new level. There are already hundreds of amazing skins available to download for a variety of resolutions. You can just download them and get started. The program provides both utility and productivity. Most Rainmeter skins include stat monitors, custom program launchers, notes, weather updates and so on. Not only this makes your desktop look infinitely cooler, but it also provides for a good, well-organised desktop. The software is open-source and so are the skins. Anyone can create, modify and reuse the skins to their heart's content. You can get Rainmeter here Also read: How does Windows 'Disk Cleanup' work? 10 things it does f.lux f.lux is cross-platform software which changes your screen's colour temperature according to the time. During the daytime, computer screens look fine. They're designed to look like the sun. But at night, when you're busy blasting away at your desktop, it's probably not a good idea to stare at a screen like that. f.lux fixes this. Much like the night mode on many smartphones, f.lux controls the blue tint of computer screens according to the time of the day. Making it warmer as the night passes by. This can save your eyes some serious strain. You can get f.lux here AVG PC TuneUp AVG PC TuneUp (previously TuneUp Utilities) is a software suite with a bunch of extremely useful utilities up its sleeve. It is an all in one management suite for your PC. You can manage your storage, diagnose hardware issues, fix registry issues, fix broken/missing drivers, update firmware/drivers and what not. The app also has anti-malware systems built in. The Game Mode in the app temporarily boosts your computer's performance so that you can get better performance in your games. As aforementioned, the app also has a bunch of excellent memory management apps. This is truly the one app you need for all your OS management. You can get AVG PC TuneUp here CPU-Z CPU-Z is also another very useful hardware monitoring app. Essentially it's a freeware system profiling and monitoring software for Windows. Upon installation, it detects and shows the CPU, RAM, GPU, MotherBoard and other hardware components of a PC. It used by PC enthusiasts all over the world for monitoring basic hardware stats. It is an extremely lightweight software too. Also, it barely needs any system resources to run and hence can be used on a wide variety of systems. You can get CPU-Z here SpeedFan If your PC runs hot, this software can save your life. SpeedFan is a system monitoring app for Windows that monitors your PC's temperatures, fan RPMs and voltages of various components. Power PC users widely use to it monitor hardware temperatures and voltages especially during overclocking. The software displays system variables as charts and as an indicator in the system tray as well. Depending upon your fan's hardware, SpeedFan also lets you set fan speeds for various components. You can get SpeedFan here Also read: How to manage app permissions on Windows 10?

DISM or the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool is an inbuilt Windows administrator-level command-line utility that’s immensely helpful when it comes to repairing your Windows image or installation media. 

However, since it’s a command-line tool, diagnosing issues with the utility can be troublesome. In this article, we’re talking about DISM error 87, its causes and potential solutions. 

What causes the DISM error 87?

Several reasons can cause the error; four of the most popular are as follows.

  • The command isn’t typed properly: Since command line commands reply or correct spacing and characters, there’s a good chance that the error is caused simply by an incorrect command. 
  • The command isn’t run in an elevated Command Prompt: You need admin privileges while running the command in the Windows Command Prompt. Running it in a regular Command Prompt window will give you the DISM error 87.
  • Possible Windows bug: If you’re not running the latest Windows 10 update, the DISM error 87 could result from a Windows 10 bug that was resolved in the Fall Creator’s update. 
  • You’re using the wrong DISM version: If you’re trying to apply a Windows 10 image DISM to an older Windows version, you’re going to run into this issue.

Fortunately enough, the solution to these issues is actually rather easy. Read on to find out how you can resolve this error.

Also read: How to get a detailed battery report on Windows 10?

How to fix DISM error 87?

Here are five ways you can possibly resolve the DISM error 87

Check the command

There’s a good chance that you’re making a spacing or a spelling mistake in the command. Make sure you’re using the correct syntax as follows.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
How to fix 'DISM error 87' on Windows 10? | Candid.Technology

Or depending upon what you want the command to do

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Also read: How to fix ‘Can’t delete folder in Windows 10’ issue?

Make sure you’re using an elevated Command Prompt

If you’re entering the correct command, the next step is to ensure that you’re using an elevated Command Prompt instead of a regular one. Here are two ways you can quickly launch the Command Prompt with Admin privileges.

  • Using the Run prompt: Press Windows Key + R, type in cmd and then press Ctrl + Shift +Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt with Admin priveledges.
  • Using the Quick Access menu: Press Windows Key + X to bring up the Quick Access menu. From here you can click on Command Prompt (Admin) to launch an elevated Command Prompt window.
How to fix 'DISM error 87' on Windows 10? | Candid.Technology

Try entering your command now and you shouldn’t encounter DISM error 87 anymore.

Make sure your Windows is up to date

If you’re not running the latest Windows 10 update, there’s a good chance that a bug in older versions of Windows is causing the DISM error 87. Aforementioned, the bug was fixed in October 2017 with the launch of the Fall Creator’s update. 

Read our detailed guide to know more about how you can update your Windows installation to the latest version. 

Also read: How to fix the ‘Windows 10 can’t connect to this network’ issue?

You’re using an incorrect DISM version

If you’re trying to apply a Windows 10 image on an earlier version of Windows, the change in DISM versions can cause this error. 

In such cases, you’re going to have to run DISM from a separate location, ensuring that you run the right version depending on what you want to achieve and the final platform you’re targeting. The process will also be specific between these two requirements.

You can check out this guide by Microsoft to install WIndows 10 from a previous version of Windows PE and resolve any DISM issues you might be encountering. 

Also, make sure to check out this list of DISM supported platforms so that you’re not wasting your time working with a version that doesn’t support DISM in the first place. 

Do a repair install

While doing a fresh install of Windows 10 will most likely eradicate all errors you might be facing, it’ll also wipe out all your data, files, settings and configurations. 

Hence, we recommend installing Windows to fix and replace any corrupted system files that DISM requires to run. Since you can’t use DISM itself, in this case, to scan and repair any problematic system files, you’re going to have to use this approach.

Also read: Top 7 Procreate alternatives for Windows

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Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah is a Computer Science graduate who writes/edits/shoots/codes all things cybersecurity, gaming, and tech hardware. When he's not, he streams himself racing virtual cars. He's been writing and reporting on tech and cybersecurity with websites like Candid.Technology and MakeUseOf since 2018. You can contact him here: [email protected].

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