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]

so do i use the first or second iso? do i put both isos on one usb?

Sorry, but you are still confused.

You only download the ISO from the first link.

Afterwards, the 2nd link will show you how to create a bootable USB with the ISO that you downloaded from the 1st link. You cannot just copy the ISO to the USB.

 

[Slammer]

Hey Brink, great tutorial, I've been looking for something like this for a while. Is it possible to do this process on an installation that can't be booted to because of driver problems? I have a system that has two hard drive controller drivers for different computers installed (and possibly other driver conflicts as well) that won't boot, and so far I've been unable to either correctly identify or correctly isolate and disable the extra driver(s) that caused the problem. It seems like this would be a good way to quickly correct that issue without having to backup and restore tons of user files, or reinstall all the programs that are installed on it, if it can be done either pre-boot or from a different running OS.

 

[Brink]

Hello Adam,

Sorry, but a repair install can only be done from within Windows and not at boot.

If you have not already, you might see if you may be able to do a system restore at boot using a restore point (if available) dated before you had this issue to hopefully fix it.

 

[Slammer]

Darn. Thanks, I know I had several restore points on it, but the system restore at boot can't find any. Either they somehow got deleted right before I finally needed one, or there's something preventing it from seeing them. And I have no idea how to actually check if there are any files for restore points on the partition, so I just gave up on that option. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Brink]

If you are able to boot into Safe Mode, then you might see if you may have any restore points available.

If not, then you might be able to use either link below to try and recover any data you want from the HDD before possibly having to do a clean reinstall.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html

or

Recover Data Like a Forensics Expert Using an Ubuntu Live CD - How-To Geek

 

[Slammer]

Sadly, safe mode won't work either. Although I do have a different OS on a separate partition so I can access all the files on the one that won't boot. Where does it store the files for system restore?

Thanks for the links, I'll keep them in mind if I'm unable to fix it and need a reinstall.

 

[Brink]

That's even better to have a 2nd OS to access the files from.

Restore points are stored in the System Volume Information directory of the drive that system protection is turned on for. You will not be able to browse to and select a restore point through anything other than System Restore.

If there's ever something you needed in an available restore point, you could use the tutorial below to manually extract files from one though. This will not help with System Restore though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...re-points-manually-extract-files-folders.html

 

[Slammer]

That looks like it would be perfect for manually fixing my problems. But is there any way to get it to mound restore points from a different drive?

 

[Brink]

If they are not listed in the program, then not that I'm aware of.

 

[anon123]

can i complete step 4 on a different computer than the one i'm going to use it on?
my laptop isn't working so i have to complete these steps on a different computer.

and after i complete everything, what's this about device drivers?

 

[Brink]

can i complete step 4 on a different computer than the one i'm going to use it on?
my laptop isn't working so i have to complete these steps on a different computer.

and after i complete everything, what's this about device drivers?

Hello Anon,

Sorry, but no. It must be done on the same computer that it was originally installed on.

 

[anon123]

while completing the iso --> usb part i got this

"files copied successfully. however, we were unable to run bootsect to make the usb bootable"

please help! what went wrong?

 

[Slartybart]

you have the wrong bootsect. search the tutorials for the one you need. I can't tell if you're 32bit or 64 bit.

 

[Brink]

Anon,

I think it's time to consider a clean install instead.

 

[anon123]

What do you mean wrong bootsect? I'm using win7-64bit home premium.

Brink, that's out of the question. Lol. I have really important stuff on there that I can't lose and my laptop is not working long enough to save it to my external.

 

[Slartybart]

anon123,

I'll answer the question you asked then leave you in Shawn's hands. He knows this stuff in and out.

I ran through this once and found that I formatted the drive on a machine that was back level. Wehn I got to where you are, I searched the tutorial and found the error of my ways, replaced the bootsect and ws on my merry way. Which is what I'm going to do now.

Seriously, Shawn will get you through this far better without me interjecting possibilities.

 

[Brink]

@ Bill

It's no bother at all Bill. The more help the better.

@ Anon
Just to be certain, what's wrong with your laptop?

In that case, you might see if you may be able to connect the laptop's HDD to another computer to see if you can backup (copy and paste) anything that you do not want to lose first.

If you can't, then you might see if you may be able to use the link below to help you create a live Ubuntu disc to use to try and recover any files from it instead while connected to another computer.

Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

 

[anon123]

Can I have the details and tut on how you fixed this?

 

[Chinga]

At last. . .ALL Problems FIXED.......

Gidday Brink,

I can't thank you enough for your complete, concise and easy to follow & understand description of how to perform a "Repair Install" for Windows 7. It worked perfectly & was completed, including fresh updates in about 6 hours.

I had been searching for fixes to several problems for nearly 4 months. It all started when I lost the ability to stream sound from the internet, or play sound in videos downloaded from the 'net using Real Player, even videos downloads prior to the problem appearing. . .all other sound functions worked perfectly.

I then found the System Properties would not show the CPU detail.

The next thing I found was that sfc /scannow would complete with errors it could not fix.

Next thing as that msconfig/system info was unable to run.

I tried all the fixes and all they did was show up other problems & fixed nothing.

Your procedure fixed EVERYTHING. . . . . .

Also I experienced none of the side effects you alluded to in you description, including windows theme. . .worked perfectly in every respect.

The only issue that arose was a warning about iTunes & the need to, I forget the term it used, but I simple switched screens & uninstalled it. . .no problemo!

Please excuse the long winded reply, but I thought it may help the myriad of people out there who are also chasing solutions to these problems.

Again thank you

Cheers,
Chinga

 

[Night Hawk]

I found Shawn knows his stuff from extensive testing here at SF and over at the older site VistaForums when first reviewing the endless number of guides he has written! Well done! is where he is at!

The methods outlined in the guide here have been used since 7 was still in beta and work each time when simply reading the cautionary notes as well as following each step closely. In fact I would be using this option again except the present install has already been on now for two full years and needs a fresh start.

With 7 loaded up with all sorts of apps one repair install took about 80 minutes or an hour and 20min. with each program still in working order upon completion. All files and folders found intact! You might have to reinstall some device drivers however as seen with any repair op but minor when considering down time for starting all over fresh.