How to Fix SFC Error 0xc0000017

When you run the System File Checker (Sfc.exe), the error code 0xc0000017 may appear. The following is the full error message:

sfc.exe - Application Error

The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000017). Click OK to close the application.

The error code 0xc0000017 means the following:

  STATUS_NO_MEMORY                                              ntstatus.h
# {Not Enough Quota}
# Not enough virtual memory or paging file quota is available
# to complete the specified operation.
# 1 matches found for "0xc0000017"

Cause

This error happens if malware has added a Sfc.exe entry in the “Image File Execution Options” registry key. The entry might look like the following:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\sfc.exe]
"MinimumStackCommitInBytes"=dword:41888888

The above registry value is usually employed by malware. As per TrendMicro, the value of MinimumStackCommitInBytes associated with a specific process in the IFEO registry key will be used to define the minimum size of stack to commit in initialising the main thread. If the stack size is too large, it will trigger a stack overflow exception and terminate the current process.

Resolution

To resolve the SFC error 0xc0000017, delete the abovementioned registry key.

Launch Regedit.exe and go to the following branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\sfc.exe

Right-click on the Sfc.exe key and choose Delete.

Exit the Registry Editor.

You should be able to run Sfc.exe now.