How do I use ISO dowloads to repair W7 without removing programs?

[Hymek7076]

I can't do a clean install or factory recovery since I have important files that I will lose, when I try to mount an ISO onto a disk it failed and I don't have any USB device with enough memory to hold it.

Is there any other way to restore Windows?

Thanks,
LH.

 

[gregrocker]

Your files should always be backed up or risk imminent loss from HD failure. A free solution is here to simultaneously Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with Skydrive - Windows 7 Forums.

Once your files are backed up you an try a Repair Install but if this is the original factory preinstalled WIn7 with all of the bloatware and duplicate utilities which interfere with better versions built into Win7, I would do the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Another possibility is to do Acer eRecovery Management - Restore Using ALT - F10 - YouTube, again only after backing up your files responsibly. Be sure to first make your Acer Recovery disks so you have a backup method in case F10 fails, as shown in Acer Support: Frequently Asked Questions list for Recovery media and Restoring a system to factory load

 

[Hymek7076]

I won't be able to get some of the programs back that are once only installations. Is there any way to get the ISO to work without moving anything?

Thanks,
LH.

 

[BisVal]

Try this iso burning program - see the attachment file - I think it's the best. Use speed 1 or 2.

 

[gregrocker]

I know of no programs that are once-only since if you own the program there will be a Product Key which can be audited with Belarc Advisor and a way to reinstall it, and freeware is always available. We help find these installers all of the time here so you only need to ask and we will try to find them for you. That way you could do the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to finally experience native Win7 performance which you've not if running the Factory preinstall.

You can try the Repair Install using the ISO provided burned to DVD or written to flash stick with Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool. This leaves everything in place but you'd still need to back up your files in case of failure, and I'd save a WIn7 backup image externally if you can't stand to lose the current install. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

 

[Hymek7076]

I don't have the keys for them anymore, I have files that can not be obtained if I lose them.

What disk does the ISO mount to?

Thanks,
LH.

 

[SIW2]

I have done repair installs many times. I don't recall losing anything. It is not impossible, though.

Back up your registry hives using regbak or similar first. In the unlikely event you lose an installed program for which you no longer have a key, you may be able to retrieve it from the backed up hives. Most likely the Software or NTUSER.dat hives. Some programs will have stored the activation and \or settings in a directory, those should still be there after repair install.

What disk does the ISO mount to?

Windows will assign a letter when you mount an iso. Just navigate to it and run setup.exe.

 

[gregrocker]

I would burn the ISO to DVD or write to flash stick using the tool I provided above, since you may need a bootable disk for rescue purposes.

Repair Installs can fail so all files and a backup image should be saved externally. One's files should always be backed up anyway in case of HDD failure. Anything less is the same as saying you're willing to lose them.

 

[Hymek7076]

I can't afford backup devices/servers that are big enough to store what I need.

 

[SIW2]

I would burn the ISO to DVD or write to flash stick using the tool I provided above, since you may need a bootable disk for rescue purposes.

+1 A dvd costs about 15pence.

You will have a lot of updates to get. Easy enough, windows update will do it for you.

Anyone beyond complete beginner can update their installation media before using it. I posted a thread about it. Greg has the link for that.

Ramsbottom, isn't that vaguely near Bolton?