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

 

[TONPumper]

Gotcha. Well I ran MBR Regenerator and all of my programs ran at startup. Thanks for your help!

 

[Brink]

Happy to hear that you got it sorted.

 

[CaretakerHoezay]

Nice tutorial, Brink. Just wondering, since my Windows 7 is already activated and I don't have the product key, how can I activate it? Thanks!

EDIT: I found a product key on the back of the computer, is that the windows 7 product key I need?

 

[Brink]

Hello Hoezay, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, the key number on your COA sticker is the one you needed.

 

[CaretakerHoezay]

Thanks, Brink! Worked like a charm! Needed to get rid of a stupid error message that didn't allow any of my programs to be used but this worked. Can't thank you enough. Thanks!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome. Glad to hear it went well.

 

[IslandBoy77]

Stumped with "Not enough disk space" error

Hi
Thanks for the very good tutorial. I'm trying to help a friend sort out a slightly flaky install of Windows 7. After trying many solutions to kick it back into 100% operational mode, I decided to try the repair install as per the instructions here. Since his original install was from a non-SP1 64-bit OEM DVD version of 7, I downloaded the ISO as per the instructions and burned a DVD. The process all goes swimmingly well until the 72% mark of the transferring settings part, then I get the dreaded "not enough disk space error".

So, here's what's been done with no success:
1) Clone 320GB drive to 1.5TB drive. Free space now 1.3TB
2) Delete all temp files. Do full defrag using Perfect Disk
3) Manually set VM file to suggested size (having min & max figures the same so the VM file is static). Then did PerfectDisk boot defrag to make VM file contiguous.
4) Switched Virtual Disk service to auto
5) Uninstalled MSE AV
6) Did chkdsk - no problems
7) Ran sfc /scannow. Keeps failing at 57% but I figured that's the whole point of doing the upgrade (which is essentially the old XP-style "repair install) in order to fix such problems.
8) Found that the 100MB partition that W7 makes is missing (which is odd). I recreated that to 256MB size and named it as per other instructions found. I didn't assign the partition a drive letter.

The only possibility I'm tracking down now is the following: I found a post on a website that said if a person creates the 100MB W7 partition using Easeus Partition Manager that W7 has a problem with that. I didn't create the partition using Easeus, but I did use Easeus to move the partition I created from being AFTER C: to BEFORE C: like it should be. What I'm going to try next is deleting the 256MB version of this partition that I made, re-jig the main partition so that only C: exists there (taking up all the room), then re-create the 100MB partition (think I'll got with 256MB again just to be safe) but this time only using the W7 manager and I'll just leave the partition where it sits, which will be after the C: one.

Has anyone else got any other thoughts on how to sort this? While a format / reinstall is do-able, it'll be a pile of work for my friend (as in, many days, possibly a week or 2), as he uses his machine to test many programs for his students. And, let's face it, who REALLY wants to go through the hassle of a full reinstall if they can avoid it?

All help and advice welcome.
Thanks

 

[igeorge]

the process did fail

the upgrade stopped with an error message that it cannot update registry
any suggestion ?
thank you

 

[Brink]

the upgrade stopped with an error message that it cannot update registry
any suggestion ?
thank you

Hello George, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I would recommend to back up anything that you do not want to lose, then do a clean install of Windows 7 instead.

 

[igeorge]

Thank you Brink,
I am looking now for a solutions which can let me do the same but booting from DVD
Almost the same like a DVD upgrade
Do you have any suggestion where i can find one
I have the original one i bought first time with the official license, not pirate one, but this does not help
I need an ISO of the upgrade DVD for windows 7 ultimate 64 without license.
Maybe if i start the same process from the DVD , it will work ????
Please let me know if you have a solution or suggestion
Regards

 

[Brink]

Thank you Brink,
I am looking now for a solutions which can let me do the same but booting from DVD
Almost the same like a DVD upgrade
Do you have any suggestion where i can find one
I have the original one i bought first time with the official license, not pirate one, but this does not help
I need an ISO of the upgrade DVD for windows 7 ultimate 64 without license.
Maybe if i start the same process from the DVD , it will work ????
Please let me know if you have a solution or suggestion
Regards

You will not be able to do a repair install at boot.

 

[rdwray]

A repair disk will not do an install, I understand, but need a little more education. I created a copy of the OEM Win7 Home Premium and a repair disk. The repair disk is bootable and will allow access to command prompt. Can I install (setup.exe) from the command prompt using the non-bootable disk?

 

[Brink]

Hello rdwray,

Sorry, but no.

You should be able to do a factory recovery from your recovery partition instead since this is an OEM computer.

 

[storming]

Thanks Shawn. I followed your instructions and it worked perfectly.

Regards,

Norman

 

[rdwray]

Hello rdwray,

Sorry, but no.

You should be able to do a factory recovery from your recovery partition instead since this is an OEM computer.

Is this another MS gotcha? Here we sit with a disk that cannot be copied, thereby, we do not have any safe resources.

 

[Brink]

Thanks Shawn. I followed your instructions and it worked perfectly.

Regards,

Norman

Glad it could Norman, and welcome to Seven Forums.

 

[Brink]

Hello rdwray,

Sorry, but no.

You should be able to do a factory recovery from your recovery partition instead since this is an OEM computer.

Is this another MS gotcha? Here we sit with a disk that cannot be copied, thereby, we do not have any safe resources.

No. It's an OEM factory computer gotcha.

If you were wanting to do a repair install, then you should be able to use the note box under either step 4 or 5 to get a Windows 7 ISO file to use to do so. A repair install can only be done from within Windows.

 

[rdwray]

Hello rdwray,

Sorry, but no.

You should be able to do a factory recovery from your recovery partition instead since this is an OEM computer.

Is this another MS gotcha? Here we sit with a disk that cannot be copied, thereby, we do not have any safe resources.

No. It's an OEM factory computer gotcha.

If you were wanting to do a repair install, then you should be able to use the note box under either step 4 or 5 to get a Windows 7 ISO file to use to do so. A repair install can only be done from within Windows.

Not much help when your HD dies and the original disc is history.

 

[Brink]

rdwray,

Well, if you still have the product key from the COA sticker on your PC, then you could use the tutorial below to reinstall Windows if you like.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[rdwray]

rdwray,

Well, if you still have the product key from the COA sticker on your PC, then you could use the tutorial below to reinstall Windows if you like.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

I was reading your instructions and got to 5 & 6; is not the Product Key listed in Belarc Advisor the same as the COA? My COA was on the palm rest and that got replaced .