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

 

[Steve2Q]

THANK YOU!!

Brink: Thank you VERY much for this excellent tutorial. I was starting to notice that several system programs like CHKDSK and SFC /SCANNOW were no longer working, and the last straw was when my new camera was not recognized. Do I have your permission to link to this site? Steve

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Steve. Of course you can link to the tutorial and site if you like.

In addition, you might consider to do a full scan of your system with Malwarebytes free just to help make your system is clean and that some malware wasn't responsible for the issues you had.

 

[JuiceCULT]

I've done this before. I have a Windows 7 installation DVD, when I try to run installation I get a corrupted autorun.dll error. Can't boot from the dvd either.

 

[Brink]

Hello JuiceCULT, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Where did you get your installation DVD from?

It sounds like the DVD may be corrupted. If you like, you could use the note under step 5 to download a Windows 7 ISO and use it to burn a new DVD or create a bootable USB with.

 

[mangoh]

Hello JuiceCULT, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Where did you get your installation DVD from?

It sounds like the DVD may be corrupted. If you like, you could use the note under step 5 to download a Windows 7 ISO and use it to burn a new DVD or create a bootable USB with.

What causes a DVD to be corrupted?

A scratch on the disk/a file being removed or moved from the contents of the DVD?

If so, is it possible to replace the contents by running a file such as setup etc...?

I'm asking because I think originally when I used my disk it must have got damaged

Cost me around £40 for the student edition

Suppose still got the license key so I can use ISO file from your tutorial

 

[Brink]

Mangoh,

Usually a DVD gets corrupted while burning the DVD yourself. Physical damage to the DVD could also render it useless. It's best to just create a new one if the original is corrupted or damaged though.

Yes, you can use your product key (license) number with the ISO file for the same edition and version of Window 7 the key is for.

 

[Steve2Q]

You're most welcome Steve. Of course you can link to the tutorial and site if you like.

In addition, you might consider to do a full scan of your system with Malwarebytes free just to help make your system is clean and that some malware wasn't responsible for the issues you had.

Thanks, Brink. Actually, one of the first things I did before going the re-install route was to run Malwarebytes. I generally run that, Spybot S&D, and Dr. Web at least once/week. I don't like the antivirus programs that are running in the background, and AVG caused some problems.

 

[ChiselSlim]

Thanks for this great work, I'm about to try it but I'm confused on one thing:

What does this mean and how exactly do I go about doing this step?

"Extract the Windows 7 SP1 ISO file to a folder on a partition or HDD other than the current Windows 7 partition."

Sorry I'm not a computer wiz, idk what a partition or HDD means...

Thanks again~

 

[Brink]

Hello ChiselSlim, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You would extract the ISO using the program (ex: 7-Zip) from step 1. Right click on ISO, click on 7-Zip, Extract files, browse button, select where you want to extract to, and click on OK twice.

However, Step 5 using a DVD or USB is a more recommended method to do a repair install with though.

 

[ChiselSlim]

thanks for the reply~

i don't have my dvd with me though..and I don't even know where it is for sure atm. I know thats really bad but i built this pc like 3 years ago and have moved houses twice....so i have to use the iso. It is highly recommended that I don't use the iso path?

 

[Brink]

It (step 4) works fine. It's that step 5 is more reliable. That's all.

 

[kenpachizero]

Hello Brink,
i am having problem with step 12,
i get the following errors, unfortunately i'm not sure what to do from here, i then that the ide one is the most important, the others i am not worried about

The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading. Cancel the upgrade, complete each task, and then restart the upgrade to continue.
 
Your current version of Windows is more recent than the version you are trying to upgrade to. Windows cannot complete the upgrade.
 
Upgrading Windows will affect the following devices and/or programs:
 
These devices might not work properly after the upgrade. Before upgrading, we recommend updating the drivers for these devices. Cancel the upgrade, open Control Panel and search for "update device drivers", or go to the device manufacturer's website to search for updated drivers.
 
Wireless Communication Devices: Nokia USB Flashing Parent
 
Storage controllers: A64PKJVY IDE Controller
 
Mobile devices: Samsung MITs USB Sync
 
libusb-win32 devices: PSP Type B

thanks in advance for your help

 

[Brink]

Hello Ken,

From the items listed, I wouldn't worry to much. Just be sure to have their drivers available to install again if the drivers are uninstalled during the repair install, or buggy afterwards. If their are newer versions of these drivers available, then install them to update them, and try again to see if it's still listed at step 12.

 

[kenpachizero]

Hello Brink,
unfortunately it only gives me the option to close the installation and there are no update to the ide drivers

 

[Brink]

What issue were you having that made you want to do a repair install? Perhaps we may be able to help with it so you could avoid a repair install.

 

[kenpachizero]

my wmi is corrupt,
i have downloaded the wmidaig from Microsoft, have tried many of the commands in wmidiag to fix it but none of it worked, i did some more searching and found a link to this post that fixed the problem for many people

 

[Brink]

Are you able to uninstall the IDE drivers in Device Manager without it affecting Windows?

If not, or unsure, you may be better of to bite the bullet and do a clean install instead.

 

[kenpachizero]

Hello Brink,
i will try uninstalling the ide drivers after my pc backups, but i wont be able to reinstall windows because there is some program i wont be able to get back

 

[tanw]

HI,
what happened to my machine was i force shut down the PC when it was doing Windows update.Since then,Windows was unable to update at all,just keeps saying "searching for updates" and nothing happened.Under services,windows module installer cannot start(error 126)

My laptop is running Windows 7 Home Premium x64 that came with laptop,no SP1 installed

I have tried all kinds of methods:
-Windows fix it exes where they will attempt to fix the issue for u(failed)
-sfc scannow(says "Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service")
-also tried offline scannow in command prompt at boot,but cannot find anything
-some registry editing to force start windows module installer but failed(Windows Modules Installer Error:126 - Microsoft Answers)

So,i decided to try Repair Install.Since it came preinstalled and it does not come with any windows 7 DVD,i downloaded the ISO off the link at DigitalLife and burn it into DVD and also USB flashdrive.

When i select "Go online to get the latest updates for installation", it goes into a loop checking for updates and never ends

So using the offline option and following the instructions,i proceeded until step 13 when windows finished copying files over and when it reaches the next step(gathering files,settings),and error prompted up saying windows cannot continue setup,restart and try again...

I tried numerous times,rebooted but always ended up with this error.Therefore I am writing to seek help. Is there any way that I can solve my problem before last resort of reformatting?

Thanks for reading!
Cheers!

 

[Brink]

Hello Tanw, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Unfortunately, it appears that you will not be able to do a repair install.

Have you already tried to do a system restore at boot using a restore point (if available) dated before this happened?