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]

I meant from off the Windows 7 installation disc from the System Recovery Options screen instead.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

 

[SirTim]

Ah, Yeah, I was actually too worried about losing my information to hit next on the DVD, but now that I do, I see that you can repair it (instead of just the clean install)
Thanks,
I'm trying it now, (says it might take over an hour), so I'll post the results once it's done)

 

[SirTim]

Aight, well... I tried the Startup Repair option, booting from the DVD, I ran it through once and it didn't fix the problem, I tried another time and it still hasn't fixed it. It turns out that I actually don't have any System Restore points, because I'm an idiot. I figured it was set up to do them automatically, but I guess not. I'm trying the Memory Diagnostic Tool now.
*sighs* Looks like I'm going to have to do a clean install since I didn't make any restore points... Is there any way to install the new OS on a new partition and somehow retain all the data on the C drive?

The Memory Diagnostic Tool detected no problems either. So, I can't restore because I have no Restore Points, Startup Repair doesn't work, Memory Diagnostic didn't work, I don't have a System Image to restore to, I wasn't dual-booting so no Vista to backup my files with....
Is there any options other than a clean install and losing all my data?
Thanks for all the help btw

 

[Brink]

Tim,

You can reinstall using the Custom install option without formating the hard drive. This way Windows will place your previous installation into a C:\Windows.old folder that should still contain your data.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[SirTim]

All right, thanks, I've learned from my mistakes and I'll definitely creates Restore Points from now on.
Thanks for all the help, I'll try the custom install image and hopefully it'll work out all right.

 

[SirTim]

Well.... I got a install error,
The installation was canceled
Any changes that were made to your computer during the installation process will not be saved.
(in dialog box)
Windows cannot install required files. The file does not exist. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code: 0x80070002

I'm assuming that this is a problem with the DVD I burnt? Was it the burning process or the download process?

 

[zigzag3143]

sirTim

What data do you need to save from the win 7 install. Is it data, or programs ( I know re-installing apps is a pita, but). Think you should concentrate on saving data then you can always do a clean install. Do you have access to the data by another OS?

Ken

 

[SirTim]

Thanks Ken, but no, I wasn't dual-booting. I bought the laptop online with W7, and didn't bother to install a separate OS, (nor create restores.....)
I have quite a lot of downloaded music and some stories that I've been working on, on the laptop. If I clean install I'll lose quite a lot of work. I only care about the data, I could reinstall programs all day. Anyone know what problem I'm running into with this DVD custom install??
I've searched online and found only that removing RAM has fixed the problem with some people. It does seem like a DVD error, as in corrupted burn or download, but not from what I've read online.....
Any suggestions or fixes?

 

[SirTim]

Well, I've tried to install from the disc, and it said Windows cannot install required files. The file does not exist. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code: 0x80070002

That was with the custom install.

I said goodbye to my data and tried to use the regular install. It failed as well, because "The computer started using the Windows installation disc. -improv- Restart using normal windows and then insert the disc -improv-
So I can't really restart using normal windows, cause that's broken. So the Upgrade option is useless to me, and the Custom option isn't working....

and when my computer restarted from attempting the custom install, it went to the Windows Boot Manager and said "Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem: Etc...
Status: 0xc000000f
Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible.
BTW, I can still access the DVD, but it hasn't helped any....
It's even worse off now than it was earlier....
Any help at all???

EDIT: And, when I try the custom install again, it says setup.exe - Corrupt File, The file or directory D: is corrupt and unreadable. Please run the Chkdsk utility
So what the heck do I do now

EDIT2: So I booted from the DVD and used the command console provided in the repair option to run Chkdsk D: /f /r
Hopefully this will fix whatever freaking problem that's popping up...

 

[Brink]

Tim,

The second 100 MB system partition that Windows 7 created in the previous installation is protected and may be causing this during this installation.

When you get to the area to select where to install Windows 7 at, click on the Drive options (advanced) link and delete all partitions listed and let it install on the only partition left.

 

[SirTim]

All right, thanks,
The partitions listed are a 100MB and a much larger one
You're saying to delete both? or just the 100MB? Cause I won't be left with any partitions if I delete both... lol

 

[Brink]

Yep, delete both. Windows 7 will recreate them during the installation.

 

[SirTim]

haha, sweet... (Yep, I'm a noob)
I'll try it out and edit this post w/ the results

EDIT: all right, well...
It got to prly 10% on expanding files, it then said
The installation was canceled
Any changes that were made to your computer during the installation process will not be saved.
(dialog box)
Windows cannot install required files. The file does not exist. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code: 0x80070002

Any help?

 

[chuckr]

Is there any way to install the new OS on a new partition and somehow retain all the data on the C drive?

The Memory Diagnostic Tool detected no problems either. So, I can't restore because I have no Restore Points, Startup Repair doesn't work, Memory Diagnostic didn't work, I don't have a System Image to restore to, I wasn't dual-booting so no Vista to backup my files with....
Is there any options other than a clean install and losing all my data?

Since you're pretty far down in the mud,

I would first borrow, beg, or steal a "different" Win7 Install DVD...
Did you check the hash-codes of the iso that you DL and burned?
Sounds (to me) like a 'faulty file' on the DVD is causing the install problem.

Then, I would try booting from that different DVD,
hit the Shift_F10 trick for Admin Cmd prompt, then make a ".vhd" on either C: or preferably on another partition -if- its on a separate -physical- HDD.

If your other partitions are on the same physical HDD, it won't make any difference where it goes.

If your C: HDD is big enough, I'd make the .vhd 30 GB, and install into that.
There's an excellent Tutorial for "Creating and Installing to a VHD", on this board.

It's gonna take a while, so be prepared for a long coffee break while he's formatting the .vhd (file).

Things can still go wrong using this technique, but it seems like a "possible" option (to me). Maybe this can save your data, depending upon what Win_7 Setup does with the boot-sector, BCD-store, etc. Win_7 Setup/Install just might 'get it right' and give you a bootable machine, from the .vhd...

Good luck.

 

[SirTim]

Well, seems like good advice, but I gave up on recovering my information, and deleted both partitions so that I could try the custom install from the DVD again...
You still think I should try to create a vhd? I only have one physical SSD btw 130GB
I'll see what I can do about the Win7 DVD... not sure where/how to get one...
I didn't check the hash-codes on the one I created, but reading online... it seems like the problem comes from somewhere else.. I've read that changing/removing RAM can fix the problem...

 

[Brink]

Tim,

If you have already deleted both partitions, then there is no need to try the slower VHD method.

 

[SirTim]

So in that case, the problem seems to be the DVD then...
I didn't check the hash-codes on the one I created, but reading online... it seems like the problem comes from somewhere else.. I've read that changing/removing RAM can fix the problem... but that doesn't seem like it should/would be the solution to what seems like a Read problem...
You think I should try to burn a new DVD or buy one or what?

EDIT: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/GettingReadyforWindows7/thread/48c9fdfc-979a-4db8-b1ab-2c23bf999d7e

Well, the problem seems to be with installing Windows 7 with a DVD period... maybe it's the motherboard, maybe RAM, maybe whatever...
I'm going to try the USB method and I'll post back if I get it working...

 

[chuckr]

Tim,

If you have already deleted both partitions, then there is no need to try the slower VHD method.

Right, the data's gone now...

WTH, it was a shot at preserving the data.

The memory chips are theoretically good, if one can have any confidence in Microsoft's Memory Diagnostic...

Ain't too much left:

"Windows cannot install required files. The file does not exist. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation."

This seems to hint at the DVD, diskplatter or drive electronics.
And of course, he never tells you the NAME of "the file does not exist" - we have to guess at it.

USB install seems a good option, if he can boot from USB, and has facilities to create one.

 

[SirTim]

Well, I can boot from USB, I'm trying that out right now, I'll post back with success or failure. Thanks for the help. And yeah, of course they don't tell you the name of the file causing problems... that'd make it too easy, lol
I'll post back with info on the USB method
Thanks

Right, the data's gone now...

WTH, it was a shot at preserving the data.

The memory chips are theoretically good, if one can have any confidence in Microsoft's Memory Diagnostic...

Ain't too much left:

"Windows cannot install required files. The file does not exist. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation."

This seems to hint at the DVD, diskplatter or drive electronics.
And of course, he never tells you the NAME of "the file does not exist" - we have to guess at it.

USB install seems a good option, if he can boot from USB, and has facilities to create one.

 

[Night Hawk]

According to what is seen on the thread there you tried out the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html method.

Too bad you missed one other option using a usb device for data rescue before having to wipe the drive there. http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/11844-using-other-os-usb-rescue-device.html

Sometime the optical drive itself can be the source of the problem if you did see a good burn to disk. The RCs themselves are still available until August 20, 2009 if you feel you need another fresh download.