Dism Error 87 Fixed

DISM Error 87 Fixed: A Comprehensive Guide to Resolving the Issue

The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool is a crucial component of Windows operating systems, allowing users to service and manage Windows images. However, users often encounter errors while using DISM, with Error 87 being one of the most common issues. In this article, we will discuss the causes of DISM Error 87 and provide a step-by-step guide on how to fix it.

What is DISM Error 87?

DISM Error 87 is a generic error message that occurs when the DISM tool fails to execute a command. The error message typically reads: "The DISM command failed with error: 87 The parameter is incorrect." This error can occur due to various reasons, including:

Causes of DISM Error 87

The following are some common causes of DISM Error 87:

How to Fix DISM Error 87

Fortunately, fixing DISM Error 87 is relatively straightforward. Here are some methods to resolve the issue:

How to Fix DISM Error 87 (The option is unknown / The parameter is incorrect)

DISM (Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management) is a powerful Windows tool for repairing system images. Error 87 usually appears when you mistype a command, use incorrect syntax, or run an unsupported option in your current Windows environment. dism error 87 fixed

What Is DISM and Why Does Error 87 Occur?

DISM (Deployment Imaging and Service Management) is a built-in Windows command-line tool used to prepare, modify, and repair system images, including the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and Windows Setup.

Error 87 appears when the DISM command parser receives an argument it doesn’t recognize. This typically happens for one of three reasons:

  1. A typo in the command (e.g., restorehealh instead of restorehealth)
  2. Incorrect use of spaces or colons (e.g., source: vs. source=)
  3. Using a command or switch that doesn’t exist in your Windows version (e.g., older Windows 7/8 commands on Windows 11)

Let’s be clear: Error 87 does not mean your system is broken. It means your instruction to DISM is broken.


Real-World Example: Fixing Error 87 with a Custom Source

Let’s walk through a real scenario. A user types: DISM Error 87 Fixed: A Comprehensive Guide to

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth /source:e:\sources\install.wim

Result: Error 87

Diagnosis: Missing WIM: prefix and image index.

Corrected command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:WIM:e:\sources\install.wim:1 Causes of DISM Error 87 The following are

Result: DISM works successfully.