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]

Jatinder,

I'm sorry that you had to do a clean install, but hopefully it will not give you anymore issues.

 

[arj6321]

Hi Brink,
Great tut. Worked like a charm for me.

 

[Brink]

Thank you Arj, and welcome to Seven Forums. I'm glad that it was able to help you.

 

[Cymrodor]

Free space required

The guide specifies that 8.8 GB of free space is required. I removed some files to bring my free space up to 9.16 GB, but when I run the install, I come across this:
"A total of 11437 megabytes (MB) of free disk space is required."
The amount of free space required therefore appears to be about 11.17 GB.

(Incidentally, this is information that ought to be included in any guides to first installing Windows. I partitioned my drive for the installation and would have allowed for this free space had I known I might need it.)

On with my repair install now...


Update: I got my free space up to 11.8 GB, ran the install, and this time I got:
"There is not enough free space on partition (C. A total of 16827 megabytes (MB) of free disk space is required."
16.43 GB now?! I'm not sure if I can get that extra 5 GB. Why is this figure changing?

 

[Brink]

Hello Cymrodor, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You must have at least 8.87 GB 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.

Well, normally you wouldn't want to run with only that low amount of free space left though.

Each time you run the Windows installation and it fails, it may be saving setup information/data on your C: drive that is increasing the space used on the HDD, and thus the more that is required the next time you run the installation. Open you C: drive root directoy to see if you may have any extra files/folders there taking up space.

 

[Ojisplayin]

Hi, I hope all is well with the AWESOME ADMINS here at 7Forums!

I have been using the tips for a while now, to help me customize my
WIN7 experience, or fix issues (I admit creating myself mostly!) LOL

You all have been a true GEM in the rough, in the vast Google Search
world of surfing! I registered finally to say....

1- YOU ARE APPRECIATED 7FORUMS! Thanks!

and

2- BRINK YOU ROCK!!

This tut had me especially uneasy, but I went for it, and IT FIXED the unfixable without a complete wipe!

I had been dealing with a CORRUPT (Hidden Admin Profile) from day 1, and
honestly did not think it would work.
It fixed it (and permission issues) in 2 hours, and when I came back
(Win Update adds another hour w/restarts) I was still logged in to my favs, my Mail in browser was ready, and my everything was intact!

Thanks once again for all the help already, and in the future I am sure!

Your admirerer in Vegas, Patti

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Patti, and welcome to Seven Forums. Thank you for the kind words.

 

[Ojisplayin]

I am sure this was covered, but just to make sure- All is good so
Is it safe to delete C:\
$INPLACE~TR
$WINDOWS~Q

And also in CleanMgr it shows a new to me (go figure after repair)
A Files Discarded By Windows Upgrade Box
Size: 1.67 GB is that anything I should keep just in case? Or No?

Thank You once again,
Patti

 

[Brink]

No problem Patti.

Yep, that would be at step 22. Those would be the files that the "A Files Discarded By Windows Upgrade" option will delete.

 

[Dawgman]

So I have read through a lot of this, but I want to make completely sure of things before I proceed. My Windows 7 Premium laptop keeps going directly into the BSOD and then into startup repair. I can get into the startup repair area, but nothing seems to help.

I have tried restoring to last known configuration, 5 different restore points, tried all the command prompt tricks, startup repair, disable restart and driver signature, safe mode and nothing seems to help. I can get into the registry and see all my files, so I am pretty sure the hard drive is fine. With the reports I can see, it says corrupt file. Happened when I rebooted after a Windows Update the other day.

So I have an install disc (burned ISO onto a DVD), but I want to make absolutely sure before I go through a reinstall that I am not going to lose all of my very important data in my computer. There is no way to boot the computer, so I can't do any backing up before I start this install. I know I don't want to reformat the hard drive. It currently has 2 partitions, one with 100MB and one with 465 GB. The reason I am double checking is because my install does not ask many of the questions in the original post. Once I pick the partition, it goes right into the install. There is no selection to upgrade, get updates, etc. It jumps from step 8 directly to step 13. I haven't gone past this because I don't want to have it do a reformat.

If someone can walk me through this last part, I would appreciate it. I have tried just about every trick in the book and can't get past the start up. I am fine reloading the OS, I just can't lose the data. Thanks!

 

[Brink]

Hello Dawgman, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I'm sorry, but you will not be able to do a repair install since it must be done from within Windows and not at boot or in Safe Mode.

If you like, you may be able to use the method in the tutorial to copy any important data and files you need before possibly having to do a clean install.

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

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

 

[Dawgman]

Thanks for the quick reply. I directed the drivers to be installed to my boot disc and I get the message that no signed device drivers were found. That tutorial seems to be for someone who can actually boot the OS. Could I slave the hard drive to another computer to salvage the data?

 

[Brink]

Sure, you could connect the HDD to another computer to copy what you want off of it.

 

[Dawgman]

So I have the laptop hard drive hooked up to my desktop and can see all the files just fine. I mainly want to copy over pictures, my documents, and a few other docs on my desktop (from the laptop). I can't see to find these files anywhere. I would assume it is under Users, but when I try to access my name in users, it says I don't have authorization to open that file. Any other ideas how I can access all of these files? I can see all of my program files just fine. Thanks.

 

[Brink]

No problem. You'll just need to use OPTION THREE in the tutorial below to take ownership of and set permissions to "Allow" your user account "Full control" of the folder first.

Take Ownership of file - Vista Forums

 

[Dawgman]

Got all the files, now on to reformatting. Something didn't like the Windows update the other day. Oh well, at least I got all the data off. Thanks so much for all of the help.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. I hope the reinstall goes smoothly for you.

 

[zapp22]

ownership/permissions/credentials

I have a botched Win7 thanks to several failed .NET 4.0 attempts. At the root of the issue seems to be some confusion over credentialing - the rig was stable for a couple of years until the .NET 4 fiasco but now can't run MSI's, can't create any alternate user accounts and successfully login/configure.

anyone want to guess as to whether a repair install will remedy this? I may as well try... can't get too much worse

 

[Brink]

Hello Zapp,

Not sure it will with that many issues, but it's not going to hurt to try other than the time it takes to do it.

Just be sure to backup anything that you do not want to lose first.

 

[phantom1969]

Thank you for the tutorial.