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

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. Please let us know how it went.

 

[BlueScorpion33]

You're welcome. Please let us know how it went.

Well I gold hold of a retail Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit disc with SP1 so I used that to do a repair install (but used my original product key) and everything went fine and all my problems are fixed now.

I was finally able to install Intel SSD Toolbox v2.0.1 and now I plan on to do a clean install of Windows 7 on the SSD by the end of next week after I have backed up all my stuff.

Thanks Brink for your help for and also for creating this fantastic tutorial.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome BlueScorpion. I'm happy to hear that all went well.

 

[Max47]

Thank you, Brink for the the excellent tutorial.
However, it took me over 5 hours to complete, including pre-backup (just in case),
drivers backup, 62 windows critical updates installation and finally ... very
stressful procedure of (re)activation and fighting MS accusation that my Windows
are not genuine!!!
And all this just to recover a couple of corrupted system files!!!
Would it be so difficult to create a system file Vault on a dedicated, protected partition accessible by SFC?
Perhaps my wish for Windows 8.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Max, and welcome to Seven Forums. I'm sorry to hear that it took so long to complete for you though.

 

[Net Master]

Thanks

 

[moarxx]

I'm currently in need of doing a repair as I'm having some issues with backing up to an external hard drive (very similar issue to Windows 7 backup was not successful. The error is: A Volume Shadow Copy Service component encountered an unexpected error (0x80042302).) but all I have is my original Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit disk which doesn't have SP1 (which i have installed on my PC). What do I do? I'm not looking to do a clean install, I'm afraid my hard drive is about to fail on me so I need to get this fixed ASAP.

 

[Brink]

Hello Moarxx, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I would recommend that you at least manually backup any files from the failing HDD that you do not want to lose ASP. You might give the free program Paragon Backup & Recovery 2011 (Advanced) Free a try to see if you may be able to backup your entire drive with it.

 

[moarxx]

Hello Moarxx, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I would recommend that you at least manually backup any files from the failing HDD that you do not want to lose ASP. You might give the free program Paragon Backup & Recovery 2011 (Advanced) Free a try to see if you may be able to backup your entire drive with it.

I just tried using the Memeo Instant Back-up that was included with the external (Seagate Free Agent) and it was EXTREMELY slow. I looked it up and it seems as if nearly everyone has that issue, it would take days for it to backup my ~340GB at the rate it was going. I'll check out Paragon but do you know of any other way I could fix this issue with VSS? I could post a thread with more detail if you'd like.

 

[Brink]

If the drive is failing, there's not much you can do about it other than clone it (image backup), replace it, and restore the image backup to the new HDD.

 

[moarxx]

If the drive is failing, there's not much you can do about it other than clone it (image backup), replace it, and restore the image backup to the new HDD.

What I'm asking is if there's any way to fix the issue that's preventing me from using Windows' back up utility. I just looked at reviews on CNET (for Paragon) and read one saying it took over 5 hours for just 40GB which just isn't going to do it for me (and I know Windows' utility is faster) considering I have over 300GB on this HDD. My HDD is working fine currently though I'm not sure about how much longer its going to last. I have a new HDD being sent from Western Digital to replace this one but unless I somehow back it up I wont even be able to transfer my data over.

 

[Brink]

Normally a repair install would fix this for you, but since the HDD is/may be failing, you could risk losing everything if the repair install fails or freezes up do any drive issue from it failing.

I'm not sure what else to suggest unless you want to use some other backup program like Macrium Reflect.

If you use the Paragon program,bBe sure to do a "Complete Backup" to clone your HDD. Here's the link for the programs manual to help make using it easier.

Paragon Backup & Recovery (Advanced) Free Edition - User Manual

 

[moarxx]

Normally a repair install would fix this for you, but since the HDD is/may be failing, you could risk losing everything if the repair install fails or freezes up do any drive issue from it failing.

I'm not sure what else to suggest unless you want to use some other backup program like Macrium Reflect.

If you use the Paragon program,bBe sure to do a "Complete Backup" to clone your HDD. Here's the link for the programs manual to help make using it easier.

Paragon Backup & Recovery (Advanced) Free Edition - User Manual

Like I said, Paragon isn't really an option considering how slow it is (based on what I read it would take well over 24 hours to back up 340GB).

I have my important files backed up on a 16GB flash drive, most of what's left are just various games, most of which I can redownload easily from Steam.

I'll look into Macrium to see if its any faster but I honestly think its a bigger risk having my PC on for 24+ hours than running Windows repair.

edit: For the record, the drive/my PC haven't crashed at all yet, 2 nights ago when booting up my PC the hard drive started making a loud grinding noise so I shut it down, cleaned around with some canned air (though I'm sure it was the hard drive, not a fan) and it was fine after I rebooted.

edit2: Looked into Macrium and it seems as if it is faster but there are a lot of people having issues with it including a few people claiming it contains malware (I'd hope they're just false positives but you never know).

 

[Brink]

I can confrim that Macrium Reflect is a safe program as long as you download it from the source.

Hopefully that's all that it was wrong with your HDD, but I would still recommend to create a complete image backup with Macrium or other program just to be safe.

For next time though, you might consider creating a slipstream Windows 7 SP1 installation disc/USB/ISO and keep it updated with new Windows Updates. This way you can use it to do a clean install with, then also repair installs if needed later.

 

[moarxx]

Just tried running it and got an error.

Backup aborted! - Failed to Create Volume Snapshot. Result Code: 0x8004230c

---

Not sure if I did something wrong, I just went to create Image, selected my C drive, told it to save on the external and hit go. There was an option to change various settings but I honestly have no clue of what to do with them so I just used whatever was set as default.

edit: Seems to be related to VSS, the same issue I'm having with Windows' backup tool. Should I just create a thread in the proper forum instead of spamming up your thread even more?

edit: currently trying out some things, may have it fixed

edit3: Yep, finally found out what was causing it and fixed it. Currently backing up via Macrium and it seems to be going pretty fast, thanks

 

[Brink]

That's great news Moarxx.

 

[MASH]

Hi, new the forums.

Question: I'm trying to perform a repair install on a pre-installed (OEM) Windows 7 Home Basic notebook using a Windows 7 Ultimate DVD, but instead of getting the Repair Install option (seen on the 9th screenshot), it asks which version of Windows I want to install (i.e., Windows Starter, Home Basic to Premuim or Ultimate).

I'm worried about the possility of an accidental format. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! =]

 

[Orbital Shark]

Hi, welcome to the forums

The issue you have is that by performing the Repair install with a higher version of Windows 7 will actually Upgrade your system to the version you have on the disk. To perform a correct Repair install you will need the exact same version on the DVD. For example Home Basic > Home Basic or Ultimate > Ultimate.

You will need to get hold of Windows 7 Home Basic DVD in order to perform the Repair Install


OS

 

[MASH]

I see. Thanks for the quick reply. I wasn't aware of this when I purchased the Ultimate DVD... =[

Curious, would it be alright of me to upgrade install Windows Ultimate and later attempt the repair install? I don't know anyone who has a Windows 7 Basic DVD. =/

 

[Orbital Shark]

You can upgrade to ultimate and later perform a repair install if you ever needed to. The thing is, would your netbook handle the extra visual resources needed by Ultimate as opposed to Basic?