How to install Windows 7 without any external device

[deepakumar]

Hi friends & guests,

Here are steps on "How to Install your Windows7 onto your com without using any external device like OS DVD, Repair Disc, USB devices (External HDD, USB drive like flash drive/pen drive)

Introduction:

If tomorrow something goes wrong or an application screw up your system then what do you do??? Try to restore it but if you can't log into your OS through normal way or "last good configuration" doesn't work then what you might try Hitting/Pressing F8 & select Safe Mode to see if you can restore but still if issue not resolve then last resort re-install OS but if you don't have any of the above mentioned device then how to get OS installed again or let say you do have Recovery CD/DVD,external HDD but what if your ODD (DVD drive/Optical Disk Drive) not working & you don't have a USB on your old com then how to get this right without losing your Valuable data????

Note: This will work if you have the Winodws7 setup folder copied onto your HDD. As i do, so, for me an external device is never required to do the re-installation of Windows 7 again. Also this has been tested & tried only on Windows 7 & not on any other version of Windows OS.

Here's How:
Step 1:

Restart your com & keep hitting/pressing F8 to go to Advanced Boot Options screen. Now select click Safe Mode.
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Step 2:
You log in now in your windows7 as an Admin but in Safe Mode ie minimum & essentials drivers will be installed.
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Step 3:
Go to Computer\C:\Windows7\setup & click Set Up file & Run As Administrator.
Install windows 7 the way you always do; select the default drive for your Windows7 & follow the instruction to complete the installation.(here are screenshots of the step by step installation process involved)
1. Go to Computer\C:\Windows7\setup & do a right click on Set Up file & Run As Administrator:
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2. You get the Windows 7 installation window with edition name & its version:
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3. Then next window is for "Install Windows" you can select the type of installation you want to do:
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4. I selected "custom (advanced)" option & then you get "setup window" to enter your valid & authenticated "product key" to register your Windows version OS:
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5. Next window would again "setup window" but this will allow you select & create a "home group" as well as the libraries you want to create:
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6. Next window "install window"will let select the drive where you want to install your Windows7 OS:
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Note: Your old Windows7 folder will be still there all installed program & will be saved as Windows Old folder in the same drive.
***Tested on Windows7 Ultimate & Enterprise RTM 7.6***

 

[Tews]

Thanks Deepak!

 

[gregrocker]

What about factory OEM installs?

 

[Orbital Shark]

What about factory OEM installs?

Factory OEM installs should have their own recovery console, accessible from the POST screen (F10-F12 or similar). If not then there will be a folder in the start menu relating to '...Recovery Management'

Very nice post Deepak


OS

 

[gregrocker]

Almost every day we have owners seeking help here to recover factory OEM that have lost their recov partition or have no disks.

 

[Bill2]

I'm sorry but am not able to figure out what the source of the win7 installation files in the OP's method is?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I'm sorry but am not able to figure out what the source of the win7 installation files in the OP's method is?

I am wondering this too.

 

[deepakumar]

Thnx for your support & response Tews, Jeff....
@ gregrocker that's what i've asked to Shawn too because none of my pc or laptop has a factory OEM so i couldn't test this & that's what i've seen on most HP pcs used...even i'm waiting for Shawn to respond on my query if this will work on factory OEM...but greg this work for people who have custom made pcs & laptop that also doesn't had/have factory OEM...Thnx to bring this up...

 

[Mark Phelps]

Appears that deepak left out the all-important step ZERO: Copy the contents of a Win7 Installation DVD to a folder on your C: drive named "Windows 7" ...

So, this thread should really be entitled "How to REINSTALL ..." since you (apparently) need the contents of a Win7 Installation disk copied to your C: drive to do this -- and you're doing it from an already-installed copy of Win7...

 

[gregrocker]

Is this correct, Deepak?

Do you have the Win7 installation files folder on your HD?

If not, where does it come from: I386?

Why install in Safe Mode which normally isn't possible I don't believe.

 

[Abhishek Ghosh]

Do you have the Win7 installation files folder on your HD?

If not, where does it come from: I386?

Logically, must have.

 

[gregrocker]

There is no i386 folder since Vista.

But some cache file allows System File Checker to run without prompting for DVD so the ability to reinstall from it may be there somewhere.

 

[deepakumar]

Sorry guys wasn't around so couldn't answer all your questions....
Ok yeah i missed (as was getting late for my class & i reached late by an hour tooo ) that part of adding that this will only work if you have the Window7 setup copied from the Original DVD....will make changes to that...
@ Bill,Ted,Mark & greg the source files for windows 7 is already there in my C drive as i've copied it in it so i don't have to use a DVD/Repair Disc/externall HDD everytime to do so...
@ greg Yes i've the setup file for Win7 on HD & yes one can reinstall his OS by going into SafeMode because for me that was only the possibilty as 3 system files were patched through VistaGlazzzz & then i couldn't login to my Windows...i would say give a try & let me know if this work or no...

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

There's already a similar tutorial on this subject here at Seven Forums at the link below.


Recovery Partition - Create

 

[gregrocker]

You can always install Win7 from install files running Setup as Admin.

You only don't have the Drive Tools to format.

 

[deepakumar]

There's already a similar tutorial on this subject here at Seven Forums at the link below.


Recovery Partition - Create

Ted wasn't aware of that :shock: i got the idea of this from Shawn as i posted the main idea on his tutorial on How to do a clean install. I've made changes now, do you think anything that i'm still missing, please let me so it can be added...Thnx Ted my friend for your guidance & valuable feedback...

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

OK, will do mate!

 

[deepakumar]

You can always install Win7 from install files running Setup as Admin.

You only don't have the Drive Tools to format.

You right greg that possibility is there & i that's what have been working for me...
right on the 2nd thought as well ie "You can always install Win7 from install files running Setup as Admin" without the Drive Tools to format. That's the trick over here, that you don't lose your data in C drive or default Windows drive...as i had these folder before & even after the re-installation:
View attachment 103238

This is a good way to recover your OS without losing data from C drive/Default Windows 7 drive or completely formatting it...

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You can always install Win7 from install files running Setup as Admin.

You only don't have the Drive Tools to format.

You right greg that possibility is there & i that's what have been working for me...
right on the 2nd thought as well ie "You can always install Win7 from install files running Setup as Admin" without the Drive Tools to format. That's the trick over here is that you don't lose your data in C drive or default Windows drive...as i had these folder even after the re-installation:
View attachment 103238

What you're actually doing is a repair install.

How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7

 

[gregrocker]

Running Setup from extracted files is the same as running the disk or mounted ISO from Windows.

If you choose Custom install it will install to another partition or overwrite itself.

Upgrade is the Repair Install.