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

 

[Cliff789]

All of a sudden I am getting a "Not a Genuine Windows" error. It is genuine as it's the original installation from Dell with all the updates.

Without knowing what you have or not done to get to this point I'd hazard a guess that you tried to repair and instead of selecting UPGRADE you selected INSTALL and now you have to log onto MS to download their software validation tool and let it talk to MS and you will probably need your original product key too.

It is odd that in the past MS has repair options in the OS and now they seem to have omitted it entirely. If the option was REPAIR it would be far more intuitive.

 

[Gator5000e]

Sorry for the delay in responding. No I did not try a repair. What happened (this is the only thing I can think of that may have contributed), is that the hard drive in the Dell failed. Dell replaced the hard drive and then told me I could use a mirror image to restore the computer to the state it was in before the failure. I did that using the Windows repair disc and all seemed well until a couple of weeks later when the genuine windows message started popping up. That is where I am at now.

The Microsoft tech I spoke to told me I could use a Windows 7 disc to repair the installation. All I have is a retail Upgrade disc. He told me I can not use an upgrade disc. I have seen on other forums that I can use an upgrade disc (so I am confused there).

I also read that I can use a Win 7 ISO file with SP1 to repair the install. I downloaded the file but am hesitant to use it without confirmation that I can use it.

So any assistance anyone could provide would be most welcome. I imagine that the constant warning about Windows not being genuine will eventually lead me to not being able to use the computer.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Brink]

Hello Gator,

Yes, you can use a retail (full or upgrade) Windows 7 installation disc to do a repair install with as long as it's the same as what you currently have installed.

 

[Workpermit]

My repair install of windows 7 sp1 gets stuck on "transferring files, settings, and programs". This line appears on step 10 of the tutorial (right after the line " installing features and updates"). I have carefully followed the tutorial, including step 9 regarding compatibility issues. Does repair install write out any logs that would be helpful in debugging which "file, settings, or programs" is causing it to hang?

 

[Brink]

Hello Workpermit, and welcome to Seven Forums.

It can take a while sometimes at this stage before you notice any increase in percentage. How long did you let it sit?

 

[Workpermit]

Hello Workpermit, and welcome to Seven Forums.

It can take a while sometimes at this stage before you notice any increase in percentage. How long did you let it sit?

Thanks for the reply. I let it run for an hour AFTER the machine stopped showing disk activity.

Is it possible this is because I have moved my user accounts on another drive (documents, etc)? The default location of the program files folders have not been changed.

CCleaner shows a number of registry errors: Missing shared dll's, installer references, and 3 "obsolete software references". Is it possible the repair install is hanging on one of these?

My questions may be academic at this point. I replaced my year and half old SSD system drive, and the system appears to be running stable.

 

[Brink]

Yep, that most like would be why with the user profiles moved. You would need to move the user profiles back to the default C: (Windows) drive first.

 

[Gator5000e]

Brink, thanks for all your assistance. The repair install, while it took a while, seems to have solved my problem....knock on wood!

 

[Brink]

That's great new Gator. I hope it did it as well.

 

[karthikchopper]

Upgrade issue

Hi. I tried to repair install my Studio XPS 16 and i followed all the details. I am using a "retail" multi version installation Disc. My system came with Win 7 Professional x64 and few weeks ago got SP1 via winddows updates. But the problem now is during compatibility check its giving me a wierd error.

It says

• 64 bit cant be upgraded to 32 bit
• 32 bit cant be upgraded to 64 bit.

I am utterly confused as my system is 64bit only and i selected the 64 bit option only. Please help me out in this issue.


I am attatching a screenshot. Hope this helps out to solve my issue.

 

[Brink]

Hello Karthikchopper, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Unfortunately, you cannot use a Windows 7 multi-edition installation disc to do a repair install with for the reason you just discovered. You will need to use a one that is the exact same as what you currently have installed instead.

 

[karthikchopper]

Hi, thanks for replying to my query. Thing is Dell didnt give me any installation disc, but asked me to create a recovery disc instead. So I am kind of stuck on this. I got this disc from a friend of mine. I read on the net that you can make a particular installation disc a universal disc by removing some configuration file (forgot which one). So can the reverse process be made? that is make this multiversion a single version.

Moreover one small clarification. Is a disc with Win 7 professional with both x86 and x64 considered a multiversion??

Can you kindly clarify this problem?? Or link me to a solution??

 

[Brink]

Yep, anything that is not for a single installation version/edition will not work.

Since you have a factory OEM installation, you may not be able to do a repair install.

 

[karthikchopper]

Oh great... that sucks big time. My problem started after I got a BSOD with error code c000021a after which my multitasking has got affected a lot. Don know if it is a hardware or software issue.

Thanks for the help. If you can point out some posts/threads on the above issue it will be nice. Thanks once again

Ps. If this post doesnt need to be here in this thread you can edit it and remove it..

 

[Brink]

You might also consider posting about your BSOD issue in the Crashes and Debugging forum area to see if we may be able to help with it there.

 

[santelm]

Thanks for this Sean even I can follow that I think.. A few questions though if you would'nt mind having a look at please. Is this method still relevant today (11th May 2012)?.. I use Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit Sp1.I have the original Microsoft W7 64bit installation disk (pre SP1 that is)..SP1 was installed by Windows Update when it became generally available.. I understand that I will have to uninstall SP1 using the elevated command prompt which will then allow me to use my W7 disk to do a clean repair (upgrade) by following your method.. Assuming all goes to plan,and any hints or updates would be much appreciated,How do I reinstall SP1 and all of the subsequent Windows Upgrades that presumably I have just wiped out when I did the clean repair?..

 

[Brink]

Hello Santelm, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yep, the tutorial is fully up to date and still applies.

You could use the Windows 7 x64 SP1 ISO from Digital River to do a repair install using step 4 if you like.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[DocM]

Repair Install for Windows 7 Professional x64 fails

Following your instructions my Repair install fails with this message, after your instructions 5.8 - Upgrade:
Windows 7 Professional cannot be upgraded to Windows 7 Professional. You can choose to install a new copy of Windows 7 Professional instead, but this is different from an upgrade, and does not keep your files, settings, and programs. You’ll need to reinstall any programs using the original installation discs or files. To save your files before installing Windows, back them up to an external location such as a CD, DVD, or external hard drive. To install a new copy of Windows 7 Professional, click the Back button in the upper left-hand corner, and select “Custom (advanced)”.
I used the Digital River ISO X17-59186.iso.
I have an OEM version installed but I don't want to lose all my programmes and settings in fixing the parts of Windows 7 which are broken (Restore Points, Media Centre).

What should I /can I do next please?

 

[Brink]

Hello DocM, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Did you use step 4 since you have SP1 for both?

 

[DocM]

Thanks for your response Brink.
No - definitely not because I didn't have a Retail Windows 7 with SP 1 version.

I followed these instructions from your Warning section:
You can do a repair install on a factory OEM installation with the latest official Windows 7 with SP1 ISO file here: Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life, 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 with.
From this I created a bootable DVD and followed through to Step 5.