Repair Install

How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7​


   Information
This will show you how to do a repair install (aka: in-place upgrade install) to fix your currently installed Windows 7 and preserve your user accounts, data, programs, and system drivers.
   Note
Do a Repair installation if:
  • A System Restore did not help fix your Windows 7.
  • There is no other easier option left that can fix your Windows 7.
  • You DO NOT want to do a Clean reinstall of Windows 7.
  • You DO want to preserve your user accounts, data, programs, and system drivers.
   Tip
ITEMS THAT WILL BE RESET TO DEFAULT OR AFFECTED:
  • Sounds
  • Services
  • Visual Effects Settings
  • Device Drivers - Be sure to have these handy to reinstall. They do not always remain after the repair (upgrade) install.
  • You may lose the ability to sign on to MSN Messenger, to solve this problem have a look at this thread Unable to sign in to WLM.
  • You may lose your custom themes due to not having permisions set on the old themes. Go to the hidden themes folder at C:/Users/(User-Name)/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Themes, then Take Ownership of the themes folder and you will now have all your themes back.
  • It has been reported that you may also lose your Media Center gadget after doing the repair install.
  • Windows Updates will need to be checked and reinstalled again.
   Warning

  • You can only do a repair install with the same edition Windows 7 installation disc for the same edition of Windows 7 that you have installed.
  • You cannot use a OEM Windows 7 "Factory" Restore/Recovery type of installation disc that came with or created from a store bought computer to do a repair install with. These can only be used do a clean install instead.
  • You can do a repair install on a factory OEM installation with the latest official Windows 7 with SP1 ISO file here: Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links, and use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the repair install from within Windows 7.
  • You can use a retail OEM Windows 7 installation disc to do a repair install with.
  • You can use a retail (full or upgrade) Windows 7 installation disc to do a repair install with.
  • You cannot do a repair install with a System Repair Disc. A System Repair Disc is not a installation disc, and will only boot to the System Recovery Options screen.
  • If you have a 32-bit (x86) Windows 7 currently installed, then you must use a 32-bit Windows 7 installation disc to be able to do a repair install with.
  • If you have a 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 currently installed, then you must use a 64-bit Windows 7 installation disc to be able to do a repair install with.
  • You can use a retail Windows 7 SP1 installation disc (ex: Technet (available), MSDN (available), or retail (when available)) to do a repair install with on a currently installed Windows 7 SP1.
  • You can use a Windows 7 SP1 installation disc (ex: Technet (available), MSDN (available), or retail (when available)) to do a repair install with on a currently installed slipstream Windows 7 SP1.
  • You cannot use a slipstream Windows 7 installation disc to do a repair install with on a currently installed Windows 7 SP1.
  • You cannot use a slipstream Windows 7 installation disc to do a repair install with on a currently installed slipstream Windows 7 SP1.
  • You can only do a repair install from within Windows 7.
  • You cannot do a repair install at boot or in Safe Mode.
  • You must be logged into Windows 7 in a administrator account to be able to do a repair install.
  • You must have at least 8.87 GB + what is currently being used of free space (more if you have a larger installation) on the hard drive/partition Windows 7 is installed on to do a repair install.
  • If you changed the default location of a user account's profile folder, then you will need to change it back to the default C:\Users location first.
  • If you moved the default location of a user folder, then you will need to change it back to the default C:\Users\(user-name) location first.





Here's How:
NOTE: Be sure to back up anything that you do not want to lose first to be extra safe.1. Start Windows 7, and log on to an administrator account.

2. Disable any 3rd party firewall, antivirus, or other security program to avoid it from possibly preventing the repair in-place upgrade installation of Windows 7.

3. Do either step 4, step 5, or step 6 below depending if your retail Windows 7 installation ISO/DVD/USB has SP1 or not, and if your currently installed Windows 7 has SP1 installed or not.

4. Repair Installed Windows 7 SP1 using Windows 7 with SP1 ISO

   Note
If you do not have a Windows 7 with SP1 ISO, then you can download an official ISO with your retail product key from Microsoft at the link below.

:ar: Microsoft Software Recovery

You can also download the latest official Windows 7 SP1 Media Refresh (SP1 U) ISO file at the link below, but this link is not always available for download.

:ar: Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links

A) If you have not already, you will need to install a program like 7-Zip that supports extracting a ISO to a folder.

B) Using the program (ex: 7-Zip) from step 1, extract the Windows 7 SP1 ISO file to a folder on a partition or HDD other than the current Windows 7 partition. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: For example with 7-Zip, right click on ISO, click on 7-Zip, Extract files, browse button, select where you want to extract to, and click on OK twice.7-Zip.jpg
C) While in Windows 7 SP1, open the folder that you extracted the ISO into, and run the setup.exe file.

D) Go to step 7 below.
5. Repair Installed Windows 7 SP1 using Windows 7 with SP1 DVD/USB

   Note
If you do not have a Windows 7 with SP1 ISO, then you can download an official ISO with your retail product key from Microsoft at the link below.

:ar: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

You can also download the latest official Windows 7 SP1 Media Refresh (SP1 U) ISO file at the link below, but this link is not always available for download.

:ar: Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links

Afterwards, you can use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the repair install from within Windows 7 using this step.

A) While in Windows 7 SP1, insert your retail Windows 7 SP1 installation DVD into the DVD drive, or connect your Windows 7 with SP1 installation USB thumb drive, and click on the Run setup.exe option in AutoPlay. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the AutoPlay window does not open, then open the drive folder in Computer and run the setup.exe file.AutoPlay.jpg
B) Go to Go to step 7 below.
6. Repair Installed Windows 7 without SP1 using Windows 7 without SP1 DVD/USB

   Note
If you do not have a Windows 7 without SP1 installation DVD/USB, then you can download the latest official Windows 7 Professional or Home Premium without SP1 ISO file here: Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links, and use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the repair install from within Windows 7 using this step.

It is preferred to have SP1 installed on your PC and to use step 4 or step 5 above to do a repair install with instead though.

A) While in Windows 7 SP1 installed, insert your retail Windows 7 installation DVD into the DVD drive, or connect your Windows 7 installation USB thumb drive, and click on the Run setup.exe option in AutoPlay. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the AutoPlay window does not open, then open the drive folder in Computer and run the setup.exe file.AutoPlay.jpg
B) Go to Go to step 7 below.
7. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

8. Click on the Install Now button to start the installation. (see screenshot below)Step1.jpg
9. If prompted, uncheck the I want to help make Windows installation better box (unless you would like to :) ), and click on the Go online to get the latest updates for installation option. (see screenshot below)Step2.jpg
A) Windows 7 will now check online for and install any available installation updates. (see screenshots below)Step2A.jpg

Step2B.jpg

10. Check the I accept the license terms box, and click on Next. (see screenshot below)Step3.jpg
11. Click on the Upgrade option. (see screenshot below)Step4.jpg
12. Windows will now check for any compatibility issues. If any are found like in the example below, click on the red X to cancel the repair install and close this "Install Windows" window, take care of any found issues (ex: uninstall any incompatible program), then restart the repair install process over again.Compatibility-Report.jpg
13. The installation of Windows 7 will now begin. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: During the installation process, your screen may flash and computer will restart a few times.Step5.jpg
14. After the final restart, you will see this screen for a moment. (see screenshot below)Step6.jpg
15. Type in your Windows 7 product key number. (see screenshot below step 16)

16. Uncheck the Automatically activate Windows when I'm online box unchecked, then click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You can activate Windows 7 later after you make sure it is running properly. (see step 23 below)
If you chose to automatically activate Windows online when you set up your computer, automatic activation begins trying to activate your copy of Windows three days after you log on for the first time.Step7.jpg
17. Click on Use recommended settings. (see screenshot below)

:note: You will always be able to change your Windows Update settings at anytime in Windows 7.

Step8.jpg
18. Select your time zone and set your time and date settings, then click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)Step9.jpg
19. Click on the option for your computer's location to select the correct network location type settings to be applied for that location. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: It is best to select Public location for the best security.Step10.jpg
20. Windows 7 will now prepare your desktop to startup. (see screenshots below)Step11A.jpg

Desktop.jpg

21. If you used a DVD or USB to do the repair install with, then you can remove the DVD or USB when the repair install has successfully completed and you are logged in to Windows 7.

22. Check to see if you are missing any user files. If you are, then you can copy them from the C:\Windows.old or the hidden protected operating system C:\$INPLACE.~TR and C:\WINDOWS.~Q backup folders. (see screenshot below)Old_Install.jpg
23. If everything checks out in step 21, then you can run Disk Cleanup (step 5 at this link). You will need to click on the Clean up system files button first, and then could check the Files discarded by Windows upgrade, Previous Windows installations, and Windows upgrade log files boxes. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This will delete the C:\Windows.old, C:\$INPLACE.~TR and C:\WINDOWS.~Q folders from step 21 above.Disk_Cleanup.jpg
24. Refresh your Windows Experience Index (WEI) score.

25. When finished, activate Windows 7, and make sure that your 3rd party security programs (if applicable) are enabled again.
That's it,
Shawn





Related Tutorials

 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
What constitutes a "slipstream" Windows 7 installation disc and why can't it be used to do a repair install?
I created a repair ISO that I added the 4kn awareness patch to, as well as some essential USB3.0 and display drivers to in order to ensure the installation would work with my modern system. The original ISO was an SP1 Win7 installation disc, SP1 was not slipstreamed in by me.
Will that not work? What will occur?
If user data is moved to Windows.old and other folders, what happens to the installed programs that we are supposed to retain?
If the system drivers for my hardware isn't preserved, can I brick my installation...?
I also see that repair installs count as in-place upgrades, disabling the ability to ever sysprep the system in the future.
That warning should be present in the OP.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bitRyzen 2400GGTX 750 TI
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Custom
    OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    CPU
    Ryzen 2400G
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 750 TI
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Cormy1 said:
What constitutes a "slipstream" Windows 7 installation disc and why can't it be used to do a repair install?
I created a repair ISO that I added the 4kn awareness patch to, as well as some essential USB3.0 and display drivers to in order to ensure the installation would work with my modern system. The original ISO was an SP1 Win7 installation disc, SP1 was not slipstreamed in by me.
Will that not work? What will occur?
If user data is moved to Windows.old and other folders, what happens to the installed programs that we are supposed to retain?
If the system drivers for my hardware isn't preserved, can I brick my installation...?
I also see that repair installs count as in-place upgrades, disabling the ability to ever sysprep the system in the future.
That warning should be present in the OP.
Click to expand...

Hello, :-)

Using slipstreamed media could result in it being like a clean install instead with nothing preserved.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
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ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
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ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
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Case
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Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
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2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
So what constitutes slipstreamed media?
How does Windows "know" it's slipstreamed and how does that change the behaviour?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bitRyzen 2400GGTX 750 TI
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Custom
    OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    CPU
    Ryzen 2400G
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 750 TI
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Cormy1 said:
So what constitutes slipstreamed media?
How does Windows "know" it's slipstreamed and how does that change the behaviour?
Click to expand...

Usually, it will say if it's a slipstreamed version or not where you download it. Not all slipstreamed ISO files will work to do a repair install with. It either will or it won't, but you won't know until you try. It's just best not to use one.

Any ISO officially from Microsoft will not be slipstreamed.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

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    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
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    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
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    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
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    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
SIW2 said:
Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 into a Installation DVD or ISO File

If you started with an official win7 sp1 iso and just added drivers, it will be fine.
Click to expand...
How can I identify an "official" Win7 SP1 ISO now that MS no longer distributes them? Do you have hashes for them?
As far as I'm aware, I should have had an official Win7 SP1 ISO, I just added some updates and drivers to it myself.
No where did it say my copies were slipstreamed where I acquired them, however adding drivers or updates is slipstreaming so I still don't see what the difference is supposed to be with a slipstreamed ISO.
Again, what is a slipstreamed ISO? What is it about it that prevents it from working? What is Windows checking to know that it's slipstreamed?
What exactly is slipstreamed? Are you just talking about the SP1 update being added to a non-SP1 Windows 7 ISO? How is that any different than me adding any other updates to an official SP1 ISO?
 

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System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bitRyzen 2400GGTX 750 TI
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Custom
    OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    CPU
    Ryzen 2400G
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 750 TI
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Slipstreaming generally refers to the process of installing SP1 and sysprepping. Or using something like rt7lite for the job.

Have you done that?


How can I identify an "official" Win7 SP1 ISO now that MS no longer distributes them? Do you have hashes for them?
Click to expand...
Hashes for the official iso files are easily available on tinternet

Windows 7 Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (x64) - DVD (English)
File Name: en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677332.iso
SHA1: 36AE90DEFBAD9D9539E649B193AE573B77A71C83


Windows 7 Professional with Service Pack 1 (x64) - DVD (English)
File Name: en_windows_7_professional_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676939.iso
SHA1: 0BCFC54019EA175B1EE51F6D2B207A3D14DD2B58

Windows 7 Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (x64) - DVD (English)
File Name: en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676549.iso
SHA1: 6C9058389C1E2E5122B7C933275F963EDF1C07B9

How to compare Windows 7 iso against original?
 
Last edited:

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
SIW2 said:
Slipstreaming generally refers to the process of installing SP1 and sysprepping. Or using something like rt7lite for the job.

Have you done that?
Click to expand...

No, I haven't had a reason to as I had SP1 ISOs. I just used DISM to add drivers and updates to the ISO that I wanted. How would such an ISO be different from a slipstreamed one?
I have a Home Premium SP1 ISO with matching hash.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bitRyzen 2400GGTX 750 TI
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Custom
    OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    CPU
    Ryzen 2400G
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 750 TI
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
That should be ok. You will ned to rectivate after repair install, or back up the activation first Backup the activation
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
anyone know what "keyboard filter" is in the compatibility report? i cant find it anywhere in my pc (device manager, installed programs, etc) and it keeps coming up in the compatibility report. can i ignore it safely?

- - - Updated - - -

ive gone ahead anyway, and its seemed to have left my laptop far worse off. explorer now crashes every few minutes and not coming back despite being in task manager, im getting error 0x800b0109 when installing any update now, my install has ****ed itself over and i need to reinstall windows completely now.

- - - Updated - - -

well after doing another install repair with the same steps, it seems to have fixed itself! have no idea what happened in the previous install but im just glad its fixed now.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1Intel Core i7-620M8GB DDR3 @ 1066MHzNvidia Quadro FX 880M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    HP Elitebook 8540w
    OS
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-620M
    Motherboard
    HP 595764-001
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 @ 1066MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Quadro FX 880M
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial BX500
    Browser
    Supermium
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
:thumbsup:
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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