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]

Sammy,

As always, I think it's a good idea to keep backups of anything that you do not want to lose to be safe.

On that note, you might consider biting the bullet and doing a custom installation of Windows 7. It like doing a clean install of Windows 7, but with everything from your current Windows installation backed up into the Windows.old folder during this custom installation. After the custom installation, you can copy any files you wanted back from within the C:\Windows.old folder back into your new installation of Windows 7 and delete the Windows.old folder when finished. You would still have to reinstall all of your programs and drivers though.

 

[Mual]

Hello brink, if i make a repair install, i just need to reinstall the program and driver on c drive only right? Other program or software on the other hard disk wont be affected, yes? Well, all the desktop icon and other user data can be restore from the "old. Windows" folder or i will have to make a backup first? I have a game call "Command and conquer 3", and everytime i reformat my pc or anything, the game will stop working and i'll have to reinstall again. The game say some files or driver related software is missing. Actually a repair install could fix lag of computer or not? My pc is getting lag. I need some advice brink. Thank you so much. Or can you suggest me what to do without repair install or reformat the pc to increase the computer performance? Last time when i play game the cpu usage wont go to very high. But now sometimes when i play game, some game will have my cpu usage go to 100 percent. So is this problem related to windows or too much program running? I have try to defrag, but still nothing much has change.

 

[Brink]

Hello Maul,

It depends on what the source of this lag is. A repair install may not fix it. You will not need to reinstall anything with a repair install.

I would recommend to create a new thread about this lag and game issue to see if you may be able to find the source of the problem. This way you are not reinstalling everytime it happens.

 

[Mual]

Hello Maul,

It depends on what the source of this lag is. A repair install may not fix it. You will not need to reinstall anything with a repair install.

I would recommend to create a new thread about this lag and game issue to see if you may be able to find the source of the problem. This way you are not reinstalling everytime it happens.

Hello brink,
thank you for your reply and your suggestion. I will try to post a new topic about the lag issue. Anyway, which section should i post on? Can you give me a bit of guidance?

 

[Brink]

I would give the Gaming forum a try first. If you do not get much help there, we can move the thread if needed.

 

[machete007]

how to get repair install disc?

hi! may i ask where can i get a "repair install disc for windows 7" or disc installer please? because as you've said in warning no. 2 that : "You cannot do a repair install with a System Repair Disc." so now, i'm confused..please teach me..tnx alot!

 

[Brink]

Hello Machete, and welcome to Seven Forums.

A System Repair Disc is not a installation disc, and will only boot to the System Recovery Options screen. Since it cannot install Windows 7, it cannot be used to do a repair install with.

Since you have a OEM Toshiba computer, it only comes with a system recovery partition that is used to do a factory restore of Windows 7 to have it back to like it was out of the box.

How to use the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Mual]

I would give the Gaming forum a try first. If you do not get much help there, we can move the thread if needed.

Thanks for the info mate.
I have posted my topic and get a lot of help from the members around here.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome mate.

 

[ajfudge]

I'm kinda having trouble performing a repair install.
I did every steps carefully until after the "upgrade" for which a dialog box appeared and said "You already have the latest... etc etc etc. You cannot upgrade etc etc etc..."
So I figured this was because of my SP1, so I tried to uninstall it (using both the uninstall prog in Control panel and through elevated cmd), but my SP1 simply refuses to be removed (darn stubborn thing).

I wanted to do a repair install because my sfc scan log showed errors that cannot be repaired. I also tried replacing the files with the originals extracted from my installation disc, but there is this one corrupted file that just can't get fixed namely "pkeyconfig".

I'm a little frustrated now to go and try uninstalling SP1 and performing another repair install. So, uhm, can I just ignore the pkeyconfig and go and live a happy computing life? Or is it a critical file that it would cost me crashes and freezes in the future if I leave it unfixed?

Thank you to whoever has time to respond.

 

[ajfudge]

Oh, very enlightening tut, btw.
I especially love the details on notes and warnings.

 

[machete007]

Hello Machete, and welcome to Seven Forums.

A System Repair Disc is not a installation disc, and will only boot to the System Recovery Options screen. Since it cannot install Windows 7, it cannot be used to do a repair install with.

Since you have a OEM Toshiba computer, it only comes with a system recovery partition that is used to do a factory restore of Windows 7 to have it back to like it was out of the box.

How to use the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility

Hope this helps,
Shawn

hi brink! if ever i use the toshiba hdd recovery utility, does it the same as reinstalling my windows 7? tnx alot!

 

[Brink]

Hello Machete,

Yes, it will wipe your computer clean and reinstall Windows 7 back to the way it was when the computer first came out of the box.

 

[machete007]

Hello Machete,

Yes, it will wipe your computer clean and reinstall Windows 7 back to the way it was when the computer first came out of the box.

really?!!! wow!hehe! but i'm wondering about my wifi connection..do you think, it will affect my connection for it will clean my computer? coz i forgot already the password or pin code..huh! and 1 more thing, if i do the toshiba hdd recovery utility, do i need to go on-line? or it just ok if im not connected to the internet? tnx brink!

 

[Brink]

I would recommend that you find out what your wifi password is and your network setup settings first. They will be wiped out as well.

You will not need to be online when doing the factory recovery, but you will need to be later for activatio.

 

[drdigital1]

How to get installation disks?

I am afraid this might had been answered but I did not find it.
I do not have installation disks (I only have OEM Recovery disks from HP). Is there a way to get installation disks?
I found a web site where they mention the same limitations of OEM recovery disks; they describe how to get/create a “Windows 7 Recovery Disc” that can be used to repair start-up problems; this is NOT the System 7 Installation Disk mentioned in the tutorial.
So is there a way to get installation disks?

 

[Brink]

Hello Drdigital1, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sorry, but the download at that website is for a System Repair Disc. 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.

You will not be able to 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.

 

[drdigital1]

How to get/create the installation disks

Brink, thanks for the quick answer.
Yes, understood.
How can I get/create the installation disks needed to run the procedure described in the tutorial?
Thanks

 

[drdigital1]

Creating Installation Disc

I think I found the answer:
Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc – Create
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html
Please confirm that such a disc can be used for the repair/install procedure described in the tutorial.
Thanks,
P.S. SevenForums.com is AWESOME!

 

[ajfudge]

I'm just going to re-post my question in case someone missed it.
Here it goes:

I'm kinda having trouble performing a repair install.
I did every steps carefully until after the "upgrade" for which a dialog box appeared and said "You already have the latest... etc etc etc. You cannot upgrade etc etc etc..."
So I figured this was because of my SP1, so I tried to uninstall it (using both the uninstall prog in Control panel and through elevated cmd), but my SP1 simply refuses to be removed (darn stubborn thing).

I wanted to do a repair install because my sfc scan log showed errors that cannot be repaired. I also tried replacing the files with the originals extracted from my installation disc, but there is this one corrupted file that just can't get fixed namely "pkeyconfig".

I'm a little frustrated now to go and try uninstalling SP1 and performing another repair install. So, uhm, can I just ignore the pkeyconfig and go and live a happy computing life? Or is it a critical file that it would cost me crashes and freezes in the future if I leave it unfixed?

Thank you to whoever has time to respond.