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]

Crystal clear. I'm happy to hear that you are running fine now.

 

[desertoth]

Is it possible to do a repair install when Windows can't startup?

 

[Brink]

Hello Desertoth,

Sorry, but a repair install (in-place upgrade) can only be done from within Windows.

 

[nandoo]

After 2/3 sleep less nights, the issues were resolved following the tutorial....Many Thanks!!!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Nandoo. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

 

[Diogones]

I seem to be having a problem with the repair install operation. I tried using my retail Win 7 Pro non-SP1 disc, but after I clicked the "Upgrade" option, I received a dialogue which stated that, "Windows Professional cannot be upgraded to Windows Professional." I thought I was just doing a repair install? But for some reason, when I select Upgrade instead of Custom, the installer will not let me proceed. Very strange!

I never did install SP1 on my system, and I'm trying to use the repair install so I can put that in Windows, as I can't install SP1 right now. It gives me an error message that certain system components are missing.

I followed the instructions in the tutorial to the letter, but I still get the aforementioned error message. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Brink]

Hello Diogones,

Is your retail copy a full or upgrade version?


A repair install is basically just a in-place upgrade using the workaround in the tutorial to be able to upgrade to the same edition thus repairing it.

 

[Diogones]

Hey Brink, thanks for the fast reply!

It is a full copy, as this is a custom built machine, not an OEM computer.

Right, I should be able to upgrade to the same edition, except it is telling me I can't. I was just trying to understand why that might be. :huh:

 

[Brink]

Diogones,

Along with not being able to install SP1 previously and this, it may be best to consider doing a clean install instead. It may take longer, but at least you will not have any gremlins from your previous installation still in the repaired one.

 

[Diogones]

I think you may be right, Brink. I was going to do a clean install anyway, just because I have an SSD that I want to install. I just have a couple of questions before I begin:

1.) Will SP1 include USB 3.0 support? The reason I ask is because I recently bought a USB 3.0 PCIe card, and it isn't working in my current installation, even with the drivers installed. I'm thinking it could be because I don't have SP1 installed, which might add USB 3.0 drivers of its own.

2.) Should I put the pagefile on the SSD, or on my second, larger mechanical drive? I've heard it's bad to completely disable it, so I'm thinking that if I at least move it to my mechanical drive, it won't consume precious read and writes on the SSD.

 

[Brink]

I think you may be right, Brink. I was going to do a clean install anyway, just because I have an SSD that I want to install. I just have a couple of questions before I begin:

1.) Will SP1 include USB 3.0 support? The reason I ask is because I recently bought a USB 3.0 PCIe card, and it isn't working in my current installation, even with the drivers installed. I'm thinking it could be because I don't have SP1 installed, which might add USB 3.0 drivers of its own.

2.) Should I put the pagefile on the SSD, or on my second, larger mechanical drive? I've heard it's bad to completely disable it, so I'm thinking that if I at least move it to my mechanical drive, it won't consume precious read and writes on the SSD.

Diogones,

Q1) You'll most likely need to go to the PCIe card manufacturer's website and download and install any drivers for it.

Q2) It's best to have a pagefile. Some programs may not function properly without a pagefile no matter how much RAM you have installed. If you have enough space on the SSD, then you would have much better performance with the pagefile on the SSD. If not, then you could move the pagefile to be on another HDD if you like. However, any HDD that you have the pagefile on will also be included in a system image backup if created since it's now a system drive with the pagefile on it.

 

[zrtom]

I seem to be having a problem with the repair install operation. I tried using my retail Win 7 Pro non-SP1 disc, but after I clicked the "Upgrade" option, I received a dialogue which stated that, "Windows Professional cannot be upgraded to Windows Professional." I thought I was just doing a repair install? But for some reason, when I select Upgrade instead of Custom, the installer will not let me proceed. Very strange!

I never did install SP1 on my system, and I'm trying to use the repair install so I can put that in Windows, as I can't install SP1 right now. It gives me an error message that certain system components are missing.

I followed the instructions in the tutorial to the letter, but I still get the aforementioned error message. Any advice would be appreciated!

It's a long shot but I had a couple systems that where SP1 would not install and in those cases it turns out Microsoft Security Essentials was an earlier/outdated version and that turned out to be the culprit. Not just out-of-date virus definitions but an older/superseded Antimalware Client. I've read it has to do with the way the first version of MSE handles protected system files. You might say it over-protects them, preventing them from being properly accessed even during a Service Pack upgrade. On one I uninstalled MSE and SP1 proceeded and on the other one I updated MSE and SP1 proceeded.

Again, it's a long shot and I don't know whether you're even using MSE but if you are and it's an early version, you might want to try uninstalling it before running SP1. This same issue may have something to do with not being able to run the Upgrade/Repair Install.
Tom

 

[Diogones]

Thank you both for the helpful replies!

Right, I thought I'd need a pagefile, I was just worried about extra write operations it would take up. But I don't think it will be that bad.

As luck would have it, I do have MSE installed, zrtom! I'll uninstall it and give a the SP1 installation another shot. I have nothing to lose; if it doesn't work, I'll just continue with my system reinstall anyway.

 

[Brink]

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

 

[thebladeroden]

Why does the repair install take so long? I'm about 8 hours into it, and it's still at "Gathering Files, settings, and programs (86%)"

 

[Brink]

Hello thebladeroden,

Could be corruption slowing it down. Is the percentage still increasing any? If so, then let it do it's thing until complete.

 

[thebladeroden]

It seems removing all hard drives except C: sped things up.

But when the comp restarted I got an error message

winpeshl.exe - Application Error
The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142). Click OK to close the application.

Then it restarts and takes me to a new W7-type login screen. Except the profile picture is blank, and there's a username and password field. But no matter what I put in them, I get an error saying "The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted." and it takes me back.

 

[Brink]

May be time for a clean install then.

 

[Diogones]

Well bad news! I uninstalled MSE, but it didn't work. Then I went ahead and tried to replace the original system files on the C: drive with files from the install disc. The replacement worked, and SP1 started to install! However, it reported that it failed after the operation had completed, and I was advised to restart and try again. After restarting, Windows failed to boot. I tried Startup Repair, restoring from a registry backup, and so forth, but nothing worked.

Thus, I have determined that I really will not be able to install SP1 on my computer, and I am going to reinstall Windows, and get it done right.

 

[Brink]

Diogones,

Sorry to hear that. I hope the clean install will do the trick.