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.
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.
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.
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)
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)
A) Windows 7 will now check online for and install any available installation updates. (see screenshots below)



10. Check the I accept the license terms box, and click on Next. (see screenshot below)
11. Click on the Upgrade option. (see screenshot below)
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.
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.
14. After the final restart, you will see this screen for a moment. (see screenshot below)
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.
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.


18. Select your time zone and set your time and date settings, then click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)
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.
20. Windows 7 will now prepare your desktop to startup. (see screenshots below)



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)
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.
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

---

• How to Do an Upgrade Installation with Windows 7
• How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7
• How to Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
• How to Activate Windows 7 Online
• How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7
• How to Do a System Restore in Windows 7
• How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker
• How to Extract Files from the Windows 7 Installation DVD
• How to Boot to the Advanced Boot Options in Windows 7
• How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
• How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 Installation USB Key
• How to Install Windows 7 FAST without a DVD or USB Device
• How to Do a Custom Installation of Windows 7
• How to Create a System Recovery Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 to Create a Installation DVD or ISO File
• Fix "The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded." Error in Windows 7

 

[Spankmaster]

Anytime update - refuses to allow a repair install

Hi I tried to follow the instructions on page one showing how to repair windows, but at step 8, when I click the Upgrade option, it tells me I have to exit out and use Anytime Upgrade instead. I cannot proceed with the repair install.

Is there any solution for this? I tried removing SP1 in case this was some new 'feature' since SP1 but it made no difference.

I have used the system file checker but it showed no issues. I used to solve all kinds of problems by installing XP over itself in the old days, so I was hoping it might fix my issues now.

Any advice? Thanks!

 

[appyface]

Are you doing this on a system that came pre-installed with Win7? Are you trying to do a repair install with a DVD from a different release than what is installed on the system?

I ran into this message not long ago. I wasn't trying to do a repair install, though, but had a Win7 Home Premium upgrade DVD that I wanted to use on a netbook that came with Win7 Starter.

When I tried to upgrade the netbook using the DVD, I got this same message to use "Anytime Upgrade" instead. Since I WAS actually upgrading, what the hey. I clicked on Anytime Upgrade, gave my new serial number from my DVD upgrade media, and all proceeded correctly, system activated over the internet, etc. all as expected.

About 45 days later the system booted up with a "not genuine" message. I've no idea why, nothing had been changed on the netbook hardware/software wise, not even windows updates yet. I was able to activate again over the internet, thankfully no call to m$ was needed. That netbook is still running fine today, some months now since that 2nd activation.

Maybe someone else knows more about this message. If you make full backups of your system (and a Win7 or other 3rd party full disk image backup is a very good idea too), you could try the Anytime Upgrade path just to see where it takes you...

Kind regards,
--appyface

 

[Brink]

Hi I tried to follow the instructions on page one showing how to repair windows, but at step 8, when I click the Upgrade option, it tells me I have to exit out and use Anytime Upgrade instead. I cannot proceed with the repair install.

Is there any solution for this? I tried removing SP1 in case this was some new 'feature' since SP1 but it made no difference.

I have used the system file checker but it showed no issues. I used to solve all kinds of problems by installing XP over itself in the old days, so I was hoping it might fix my issues now.

Any advice? Thanks!

Hello Spankmaster,

Sorry, but you will not be able to do a repair install with a Anytime Upgrade installation. A repair install can only be done with a retail Windows 7 installation disc that is the same as what is installed on the computer.

 

[murron]

Hi all,
I've been considering doing a repair install for a few days now, but would love to hear some opinions before I start. I have a driver problem with my Huawei K3715 dongle - as a result, it won't let me connect to the internet and I keep getting RAS error code 31.
The dongle's working perfectly fine on an XP, but seems to have serious problems with Win7, no matter how many times I uninstalled and installed the drivers. Nothing worked. It seems that I need a 'clean' version of drivers. If I perform a repair install, will these settings revert back to when I installed Win7? I really wouldn't want to make a clean install, it would take ages to transfer back everything to my pc. What do you nice and expert people here suggest me to do?

 

[Brink]

Hello Murron, and welcome to Seven Forums.

A repair install is only a inplace upgrade install with the same Windows 7 edition instead of a higher edition. A repair install may not help with a driver issue since the same driver would most likely still be used afterwards. Drivers sometimes get reset to Windows 7 default ones and sometimes not with a repair install.

You might post everything about your issue with the Huawei K3715 dongle in the Hardware & Devices forum area to see if we may be able to help with it though.

 

[murron]

Thank you for the quick reply, Brink. I shall try and post in the section you suggested, hoping that there's a solution to this problem.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. Hopefully we'll be able to get that sorted for you there.

 

[daler]

Can't Repair/Upgrade

In its early days when my comp was most stable I made both a WindowsBackupImage (saved to another internal BU drive), and Slipstreamed the OS c/with SP1.

With the collapse of my system I tried to Restore the WindowsBackupImage but no joy ..Windows, in any of its routines, can't find the BU folders. Even Acronis with its Windows BU simulations won't work in rebuilding them.

Instead, following the instucts in the Repair Install sticky, I decided to do a Repair (Upgrade) Install of Windows 7. While in Windows I loaded the OEM Windows disk and it would not let me "Upgrade" due to saying that "Your current version of windows is more recent than the version you are trying to upgrade to. Windows cannot complete the upgrade." :huh:

So, thinking that since my 'trusty' Slipstreamed copy was made with the SP1 update and would qualify for the new Windows version, I then tried again with that Slipstreamed Win 7+SP1 copy ..still same report: "..Windows cannot complete the upgrade." Gee, I thought that was one of the major points of building a Slipstreamed disk.

So, what to do next? Must I uninstall SP1 and then try again with either the original OEM install disk or the Slipstreamed+SP1 disk?

 

[Brink]

Hello Daler,

Unfortunately, you will not be able to do a repair install using OEM factory recovery installation disc, or with any slipstreamed installation disc. These type of installation discs can only do a clean install.

 

[daler]

Thanks for the speedy reply!

It doesn't appear to be a Windows Recovery installation Disk but a "genuine" "OEM" installation disk package purchased from a large well-known online retailer. It comes with its own Product Key, etc. On the package it says it is intended for OEM system builders : "licenced for distribution only with a new PC" -- it's what was used to do my original install with, and must stay with this motherboard.

Is this the same thing ?

 

[Brink]

Daler,

It sounds like it may be a retail "OEM" copy then. If the OEM installation disc doesn't have SP1 included with it, then you would need to uninstall SP1 from your current installation before you will be able to use it to do a repair install with if that was the same disc you used to install your current installation with. If you are not able to boot into Windows 7, you will still not be able to do a repair install though.

However, with that much trouble and risk, you might consider just biting the bullet and backing up anything that you do not want to lose, then do a clean install instead.

 

[emptysorrows]

Unfortunately, my DVD drive is not working. Will this work via virtual disk?

 

[Brink]

Hello Emptysorrows,

Yes, but I would recommend having the attached VHD file be on a different partition or drive than the Windows 7 partition.

You could also do so from a USB flash drive.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[emptysorrows]

Thank you Brink. But just to be sure, I should create a second partition (on the same drive) and place the VHD on the second partition. Then upgrade from that. Then extend the first partition into the second later. Is that what you mean?

Sorry. I meant to say: Can I mount the Windows 7 ISO I made from my installation DVD using DaemonTools and upgrade from the virtual DVD.

 

[Brink]

Since you have a ISO, it would be much easier to just burn the ISO to a USB flash drive at least 4GB in size, then run the repair installation from the USB drive.

For how, see the Part 2 section here: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.

 

[daler]

Thanks for the info, Brink.

To clarify, will I also be able to use the Slipstream+SP1 installation disk (I made up from the original retail OEM install disk) for the Update once SP1 has been uninstalled and, failing that, can the Slipstream+SP1 install disk be used for my fresh new install?

 

[Brink]

Daler,

Sorry, but a slipstreamed installation disc can only be used to do a clean install with. It will not work to do a repair install with.

 

[pharish10]

I have a small doubt..I have only 1 partition as "C" which is about 280GB.. and all my data, documents and other stuff are located in drive "C". Now my doubt is that, when I perform a repair Install , does the data in the "C" drive get erased.. does it format or delete all the data in the drive C or deletes only the data which is related to Windows... Can you please explain my doubt so that I can perform a repair install.. Thanks in advance for the help....

 

[Brink]

Hello pharish10,

I would always recommend to backup anything that you do not want to lose to be safe.

The yellow TIP box at the top of the tutorial will give you more details on what will be affected, but basically a repair install affects Windows 7 system files and sometimes drivers. Anything in the User folders will not be affected.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[BrightBlessings]

This worked very well for me. Well written amd simple, or should that be simply well written?
Thank you Brink
Odin