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

 

[RWfan]

I checked my 'minidump' folder in C drive to add thread in BSOD and it's empty?

 

[Brink]

RW,

A repair install is usually not helpful with these type of issues. I would recommend to backup anything that you do not want to lose if able, then do a fresh clean install of Windows 7.

 

[RWfan]

ok. i have a 128G SS drive for my OS win 7 and outlook 2007. then i have a 2TB reg HD partitioned with 500G for programs and 1.5G for my media ie pics/vids/documnets ect do i need to format my SS Cdrive before clean install? and is there anything i need to back up from my Cdrive before the clean install? I did back up my outlook stuff --calendar/email/contacts into my other programs drive btw. then after my install, i would need to install my programs one be one again correct?

 

[Brink]

RW,

If you like, you could try doing a system restore at boot first using a restore point (if available) dated before you got the BSOD and other issues to see if that may help and avoid having to do a clean install.

You could just select to format the Windows 7 drive during the clean install. After the clean install, you would need to reinstall all programs and drivers. You would want to backup anything that you do not want to lose.

 

[RWfan]

I have limited restore points, all of which are after crashes. for whatever reason, pc won't allow me too set larger restore point size to keep more options for RP's.
then early on, i did a complete backup on an external drive i had and later i needed to format and rename that drive dealing with support ppl to get it to work again, and i backed up the data i had on there as well to another and when i tried to restore it, it won't allow me to. it doesn't recognize the new drive label. ugh

 

[cfourkays]

Hi, Brink.
I know its here somewhere.
I'm using my original Windows 7 Pro .iso to do the repair on my SP1.
Following Step 5, I come to the Upgrade/Custom and on the Compatibility check, I'm getting
Windows 7 Professional cannot be upgraded to Windows 7 Professional. You can choose to install a new copy of Windows 7 Professional instead, but this is different from an upgrade, and does not keep your files, settings, and programs. You’ll need to reinstall any programs using the original installation discs or files. To save your files before installing Windows, back them up to an external location such as a CD, DVD, or external hard drive. To install a new copy of Windows 7 Professional, click the Back button in the upper left-hand corner, and select “Custom (advanced)”.
The original setup was in a clean new machine using your new install with upgrade instructions when 7 was release.
The DVD is Windows 7 Professional Backup Disc from MS.
I think I downloaded the .iso orginally but no longer have it.

 

[Brink]

Hello Pete,

You might be able to use a Windows 7 Pro with SP1 ISO from the link below to be able to do a repair install using step 4 instead.

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[John528]

Thanks for helping fix my problem from 6 days ago

Hi everyone

Thanks very much to Shawn and stevieray in particular for helping me. After problems with my upgrade reinstall I decided to do a full reinstall and now everything is up and runiing AOK. I appreciate your help.

Regards from John

 

[Brink]

That's great news John. I'm happy to hear that everything is fine now.

 

[cfourkays]

Thanks, Shawn,
Gave it a try, still the same.
Tried 4 and 5 with and without SP1.
Same with my 7 Pro Backup Disc from MS.
Reading thru some of the hundreds of posts on this thread, you've advised some that a clean install is the only thing that will work.
Looks like that in my case?
Pete

 

[Brink]

Thanks, Shawn,
Gave it a try, still the same.
Tried 4 and 5 with and without SP1.
Same with my 7 Pro Backup Disc from MS.
Reading thru some of the hundreds of posts on this thread, you've advised some that a clean install is the only thing that will work.
Looks like that in my case?
Pete

Pete,

It sure looks like it's going to be for your case as well since it will not work either other way.

 

[cfourkays]

Here we go.
Just tried my original DVD I burnt when it was released on 10-23-09?? or thereabouts.
I'm not sure whether I used your step 4 or 5 but when I went to the Upgrade and it started moving on checking compatibility, I knew we had it.
Right now its gathering files....
Thanks, Shawn.

I'll let you know how it finishes.
(Been thanking you folks for a long time.)

Pete
Now, if the Giants win today.......

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Pete. I hope it goes well.

 

[cfourkays]

It worked and the NY Giants won.

Thanks again for all your help.
(Since 2009)

Pete

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Pete. That's great news.

 

[Zyrandiel]

Good day to you all,

Wow this thread is quite long now.

I'm just wondering if you could do a repair install with a PLAIN Windows 7 Home Premium OS OEM SLP with a Retail ISO of Windows 7 Home Premium SP1?

I'm having a lot of trouble doing an update of the SP1 no matter what fix I follow from here and from other sites so I was thinking to bypass the SP1 update online from doing a repair install with an OS of the same type but with SP1 integrated.

Is this possible?

Edit:

I saw a WINDOWS 7 with SP1 ISO refresh from a site and I was thinking to use it, so any light on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Influx]

Good day to you all,

Wow this thread is quite long now.

I'm just wondering if you could do a repair install with a PLAIN Windows 7 Home Premium OS OEM SLP with a Retail ISO of Windows 7 Home Premium SP1?

I'm having a lot of trouble doing an update of the SP1 no matter what fix I follow from here and from other sites so I was thinking to bypass the SP1 update online from doing a repair install with an OS of the same type but with SP1 integrated.

Is this possible?

Edit:

I saw a WINDOWS 7 with SP1 ISO refresh from a site and I was thinking to use it, so any light on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

1Q No, you can't. You must update to SP1 to do a repair install with an Windows 7 SP1 Cd.

2Q I suggest you do a repair install with a Windows 7 Non-SP1 Dvd, then update to SP1.

 

[Zyrandiel]

Okay. That's my main problem the updating to SP1 part. I'm stuck with this error code 80004005. I tried Update Readiness but still get the same error. Tried SFC /SCANNOW dozens of times with no problems detected on the system.
I'm stuck. I didn't use WINDOWS MAIL (never have), I mentioned this coz I read at another thread here that maybe the problem could be caused by WINDOWS MAIL.

So I'm stuck and I'm really tired of trying to find a solution for this.

A clean install would get me more problem as I found out from this thread:

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/200607-new-laptop-changing-partition-disks.html

So a CLEAN INSTALL is apparently not one of my better option.

Please help...

 

[Brink]

Hello Zyrandiel,

The problem is that you have a factory OEM copy of Windows 7 installed on your Samsung notebook. You will not be able to do a repair install with that type of Windows 7. You will only be able to do a factory recovery/restore to reinstall Windows 7 back to a factory state.

If you like, you might consider posting whatever issue you are having in a new thread to see if we may be able to help with it in order to try and hopefully avoid having to do a factory recovery.

 

[Zyrandiel]

Hi Brink,

I already posted several threads concerning my laptop issues. The main one is this thread:

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/211230-error-sp1-windows-update.html

I created a thread about an ImgBurn problem when I was trying to burn a Windows retail ISO to do a repair Install. Still indirectly connected to my main problem which is the ERROR CODE 80004005 (SP1 update failure).

I will create a thread again concerning this problem.


Thanks Brink.