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]

Hello Gruelius,

I have not tried it on a factory OEM installation, but others have reported that using a "full retail" copy of Windows 7 Pro (in your case) has worked.

Please let us know how it went.

 

[Brink]

Actually... I'm curious about this also. I know that our own home made slipstreams are no good, but does the Digital River version with SP1 integrated work?

Hello Martin,

I've never tried it, but it would be worth experimenting with to see.

 

[Gruelius]

yeah im going to just do a full reinstall when i get a new hdd.

 

[akwardlkw]

It must be the exact same edition and version as you have installed or it will not work.

The red warning box at the top of the tutorial can give more details on this though.

I see. thx for helping. XD this is a great forum. love it.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[fenix1]

hello.
this is an extremely long thread so i hope i have not missed my Q being asked already.
i have been having random BSOD crashes, usually all traceable to a fault in ntoskrnl.exe or general mom management issues (my ram checks out ok). So i was wandering if in your opinion this repair install would be a good solution to these random crashes or if i am looking at different problems whose solution i must seek else ware.
Thank you so very much !
PS: great tutorial

 

[Brink]

Hello Fenix, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I would recommend to create a new thread and post details about your BSOD in the Crashes and Debugging forum area first to see if it may be something simple that we may be able to help fix before doing a repair install. The link below can help show you what to post there to get the most help for it.

http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

 

[fenix1]

thank you kindly ! if i can find nothing else this still seems to be the best last ditch effort

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. Exactly. A repair install should be a last resort.

 

[FredeGail]

Stupid question..
What is the difference between a Repair Install and a Clean Install?

Best Regards,
FredeGail

 

[Brink]

Hello Frederik,

See my signature. Not a stupid question at all.

Here are the basics.

repair install = A inplace upgrade install that upgrades the current installation with the same edition. Just about everything in the previous installation is still in the new installation.

clean install = Wipes out and formats the selected partition or HDD, then installs Windows 7 on it. Nothing from the previous installation is preserved.

 

[FredeGail]

Hello Frederik,

See my signature. Not a stupid question at all.

Here are the basics.

repair install = A inplace upgrade install that upgrades the current installation with the same edition. Just about everything in the previous installation is still in the new installation.

clean install = Wipes out and formats the selected partition or HDD, then installs Windows 7 on it. Nothing from the previous installation is preserved.

Thanks for the headsup.

You made me understand the difference, thank you Brink.

Best Regards,
FredeGail

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[fenix1]

heya Brink
idk if you have answered this already but i keep getting an error " upgrade could not be completed" or something to that extent during step 9 ..and i have tried turning off virus and firewall ..idk what to do ..suggestions ?
thanks a million

 

[Brink]

Hello Fenix,

It really depends on what the complete error message says. If you could write it down, and post back with it.

You might also check the red warning box at the top of the tutorial to see if anything listed may be a reason for the error.

 

[maxseven]

Only option to purchase 7SP1?

Sorry, but a slipstreamed installation disc can only be used to do a clean install with. It will not work to do a repair install with.

New member alert! Amazing how often I've surfed on Windows issues and gotten the best hits at sevenforums.com, so I am glad to be here!

I have two questions. My installations started life as OEM Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, and today of course my three PCs are updated to SP1, and in a couple cases I have used the command

dism /online /cleanup-image /spsuperseded

to rid myself of pre-SP1 updates and gain ~4Gb (and reduce my backups' size). So I have no original Windows 7 HP x64 installation disc from which to ever do a System Repair should such a thing be necessary, nor apparently can I build-my-own as Brink said it doesn't work. So to confirm: my only option is to purchase a newer SP1 disc, so I have it available "just in case"?

Secondly, I don't think I've ever had to do a Repair Install--is this really anything to be concerned about or am I best-off simply continuing to make Image Backups (Macrium and Acronis) and leave things at that? Thanks for any advice on these.

 

[Brink]

Hello Max, and welcome to Seven Forums.

A repair install is really just a last ditch effort to repair your Windows 7 installation to avoid having to do a clean install when nothing else worked, or you have no other option available.

I agree that keeping good image backups would usually be all that you need. It basically accomplishes the same thing, and is more reliable.

 

[KRS03]

KRS03,
...
I would also recommend that you uninstall all running security programs until the repair install is finished. These can interfere with a repair install. Sometimes even when disabled. For example: Ad-Aware, Kaspersky, Spybot, etc....

So, back at it after an uneasy 2 weeks of trying everything else. I've pulled the plug on all virus/spyware/malware etc. software. I've scoured the registry and used proprietary uninstallers for Kaspersky and Norton (just in case some app. was installed as OEM crud in my machine 3 yrs ago). I now cannot even install MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials), so I'm feeling really vulnerable. That issue is just as bad as any of the others I have and not even uSoft email support has it going for me. You'd think that this software could load just like everybody else's --- but I digress....

So, no such luck with a DVD Repair/Install in either normal or clean boot. The same error after loading the files and "Setup is Starting" --> "Windows encountered an internal error while initializing COM" I'm really hoping there's a light going off in someone's head 'cause it's blackened my day.

 

[MisaMii]

Hello, this tutorial is really helpful, but I'm stuck at one thing.
See, I checked all the warnings of the tutorial, made sure everything was as it should be, but when I get past step 9 I get a message saying something like this (I've translated it from Dutch to English, so it might not be completely accurate):

"You cannot perform an upgrade from Windows 7 Professional to Windows 7 Professional. You can install a new copy of Windows 7 Professional, but that is not an upgrade and with this all the files, settings and programs won't be kept. You must reinstall all programs with the original disks or files. Make a back-up on an external location, like a cd, dvd or external hard disk if you want to save the files before you install Windows. Click on the button Previous at the top left corner and select 'Custom installation (advanced)' if you want to install a new copy of Windows 7 Professional."

But off course, I don't want to install a new copy. I want to keep my settings and definitely my installed programs. I first had the error message saying I couldn't upgrade because I had a newer version installed already, but that was because I still had the Service Pack 1 installed (which is now uninstalled, as was required like mentioned at the beginning of your tutorial).
So here I am, asking this question, hoping you might know what to do.

I can't afford doing a clean install, really. I'm a student, soon to start my third year in bachelor IT, and I have so many programs required for classes that I just can't reinstall them all...


So please, perhaps you know what I must do in order to get rid of this error message I get? I must absolutely do an in-place upgrade, because my system has some corrupt/damaged files. I've done all the possible solutions already to fix the system, but nothing helped, so doing an in-place upgrade is my last chance of hope.


I really do hope you might be able to help, I have all my hopes on your tutorial, and I eager to finish it.

 

[maxseven]

A repair install is really just a last ditch effort to repair your Windows 7 installation to avoid having to do a clean install when nothing else worked, or you have no other option available.

And apparently has its own pitfalls wrt how all the stars & planets must align in re the install-and-repair DVDs matching-up.

I agree that keeping good image backups would usually be all that you need. It basically accomplishes the same thing, and is more reliable.

Thanks for confirming, I appreciate it!