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

 

[jk0o]

great repair

hey man
Feedback >
well i just register to the forum to thank you

i had abig issue but after u tutorial its gone

its good method and i saved 3 giga bytes lol

wlm work perfect i did'nt see any issue every thing works like new

and also media center works perfect i did'nt have any kind of issue

and i did clean up right away and there is no user file missing

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome jk0o, and welcome to Seven Forums. Thank you for posting back with your feedback and results.

 

[jk0o]

thanks BRINk

well i have question today after i loged in i feel the computer going slow i mean its not fast as before in previous version before (i used windows 7 ultimate x64)
now i use after update which i did (windows 7 ultimate x64)

so any ideas what that come from or i should do clean install and format but i don't wanna lose my data and is it related to upgrade which i did to fix big issue

so i'm looking for u replay to help me and thanks

 

[deepakumar]

Another amazing & awesome tutorial from your Win7workshop pc...like it great job Shawn...
Here's how i install my Windows 7 this was an trial & effect method & success rate has been 100%...this simple...
since my ODD isn't working for quite sometime & i'm a lazy bum so never get time to fix it...So here i was with a brand new copy of Windows 7 & wanted to venture into a new world of possibilities but the Big question was HOW...So i transferred the Win7 setup file onto my USB device (flash drive/pen drive) plugged in my WinXP com & copied the new OS file in the default Windows drive ie C & clicked on Win7 setup file & then completed the installation & it was a clean installation & as usual it completely backed up & copied my old XP in Windows Old folder & its been working fine with no hassle till i don't screw it...in the last 8 months i've installed my OS in the same way for 5 times & it work just fine every time & i don't lose my data,files nothing except my C drive getting a new OS every time...
Shawn i want to know what's your take on this method....Thnx

 

[Brink]

thanks BRINk

well i have question today after i loged in i feel the computer going slow i mean its not fast as before in previous version before (i used windows 7 ultimate x64)
now i use after update which i did (windows 7 ultimate x64)

so any ideas what that come from or i should do clean install and format but i don't wanna lose my data and is it related to upgrade which i did to fix big issue

so i'm looking for u replay to help me and thanks

You might check through the items listed in the tutorial below first to see if it may be able to help improve your computer's performance.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

 

[Brink]

Another amazing & awesome tutorial from your Win7workshop pc...like it great job Shawn...
Here's how i install my Windows 7 this was an trial & effect method & success rate has been 100%...this simple...
since my ODD isn't working for quite sometime & i'm a lazy bum so never get time to fix it...So here i was with a brand new copy of Windows 7 & wanted to venture into a new world of possibilities but the Big question was HOW...So i transferred the Win7 setup file onto my USB device (flash drive/pen drive) plugged in my WinXP com & copied the new OS file in the default Windows drive ie C & clicked on Win7 setup file & then completed the installation & it was a clean installation & as usual it completely backed up & copied my old XP in Windows Old folder & its been working fine with no hassle till i don't screw it...in the last 8 months i've installed my OS in the same way for 5 times & it work just fine every time & i don't lose my data,files nothing except my C drive getting a new OS every time...
Shawn i want to know what's your take on this method....Thnx

Hello Deepak,

It sounds like doing a custom install of Windows 7 to have the previous OS copied to the Windows.old folder. Using a USB flash drive to install the OS usually installs faster than a DVD as well. Overall, I say great job.

 

[deepakumar]

Thnx Shawn but the trick & catch is that i don't install it through or using any USB device every time that was only first time....
let say if something goes wrong & i can't get into my windows 7 through normal login, so i go to Safe Mode & see if i have "restore point" to fix the issue & if that's not possible (as it happened last week when i patched 3 system files through VistaGlazz & i couldn't got in & even restore didn't worked) so i went in C:\Windows7\setup & installed it completely again (only to screw it again in the near future bcz we are all born Geeks , ) its working just fine....
What do you think about this method installing OS without any external hardware - No OS DVD, No Repair Disc, No external HDD, No USB device (flash drive/pen drive)....

People who don't know how to this i'll request don't try this till you are not confident because you might screw up few things....though its very simple & not a real rocket science, its just that i tried this but this might not work for you....So should be done under supervision & proper guidance...

 

[Brink]

Sounds good to me.

 

[deepakumar]

That's what i thought & i wanted to put a tutorial on this but i don't know how i can come-up with a tutorial... but before that Shawn i want to know if this gonna work for Basic version because i got Ultimate & Enterprise version & it works on both just fine & 2nd thing that my system didn't had Win7 pre-installed i got it later so will this work on system which come with win7 installed by the manufacturer because at times they have some restriction like HP there some restriction on what you can do & not....please help me on this before i can come-up with a tutorial...Thnx

 

[Brink]

Go ahead and create a new thread for this in the "Installation & Setup" forum area. This way this tutorial can stay on topic, and you can start writing out it as a tutorial in that thread. I'll be happy to help where I can to polish it up when you are done with it. Afterwards, we can see about moving it to Tutorials.

 

[deepakumar]

Sure will do the same, that's sounds good to me....Thnx Shawn for your help & support...

 

[papaSmurph]

alright i've tried to do this repair install and it hangs around 20% of gathering program and system files, etc., then errors out..something like make sure the install source is available and try again. error code 0x000005, i believe. I'm just running it exactly like described here... hoping to repaid my Backup and Restore center..(nothing happens at all when i click on it...)

help?

 

[Brink]

Hello papaSmurph,

It looks like you may need to do a custom install instead. This way you will be able to have a copy of your current OS and files in the C:\Windows.old folder afterwards as a backup that you can copy files from back into your new installation.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[papaSmurph]

Thanks Brink...so basically you're saying i can copy all picture and video files, documents, etc...all the personal stuff, from the windows.old folder after the custom install...is that correct? By the way, do you know of any other way to repair the backup and restore center?

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[Brink]

papaSmurph,

That would be correct. You will be able to copy everything back doing a custom install.


You might see if resetting the backup settings to default using the tutorial below may be able to get it working again.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/632-backup-user-system-files-reset-default-configuration.html

 

[manager]

Please tell me it's possible to do a repair install and go from 64-bit to 32-bit.

 

[Brink]

Hello Manager,

Sorry, but no. You can only do a clean install to go from 64-bit to 32-bit or 32-bit to 64-bit.

 

[manager]

Argh, oh well. We'll see what I'll do then.

 

[Mipset]

Hi Guys,

I just wanted to clarify some things.
Will the repair install retain ALL files in their original positions? Like my desktop items will still be on the desktop and documents/programs in their appropriate My Documents and Program Files?

Also, My Windows 7 is suffering from a condition where I cannot even reach the desktop, therefore I have to boot from disc when the computer starts up.

Is it still possible to do a repair install using this method?

I am currently running Windows 7 Pro x64, and i do have the appropriate disc and product key to go with it.

So in short:
1) Will i retain ALL my files in their original places?
2) Can I do this operation via 'Boot from Disc' ?

 

[Brink]

Hello Mipset, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Your files will not be affected, but the positions may get reset to default, but you could easily change that back afterwards.


You can only do a repair install from within the started Windows 7. You cannot do a repair install at boot.