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

 

[Windspider]

Excellent...thanks...I'll look at this in the morning.

 

[sverne]

Is this the same as the "create a system repair disk" from the control panel/backup rstore?

 

[Brink]

Hello sverne,

No. This is for doing an in-place upgrade installation with the same Windows 7 edition to repair your current Windows 7 installation.

A System Repair Disk is just a boot disc that allows you to boot to the "System Recovery Options" screen.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sverne]

Thanks Shawn.
What about "recovery disks"? I made 2 from my control panel. Will these do the same type of fix as you outlined? If not I'll download from the Dell link.

 

[Brink]

If you mean Dell factory recovery disks, then no. They will format the hard drive, and restore Windows 7 back to factory conditions.

 

[idoru]

Trying....

Registered to this forum and with a serious issue vith 7 x64 I stumbled upon this thread and while I'm typing this message, my desktop is trying the solution you provided.

Regarding this, one thing comes to my mind.... How a repair install can, based on the importation of parameters proven to be corrupted (i.e the old registry), set a clean new os ?

 

[Brink]

Hello Idoru,

A repair install is basically just an in-place upgrade installation using the same edition of Windows 7. This workaround to upgrade your current Windows 7 installation will usually repair Windows 7 unless the corruption is to great. In those cases, only a clean install will help.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[idoru]

Obviously you're right ! As my box did restart, with some applications in place, some needed to be re installed.

About these in place, there is some work to do as my widget engine (konfabulator, ex yahoo widget), running from the initial start-up has yet shown me some weakness : some widget not showing the change in their preferences.

I will see in the hours to come the amount of the work to be done to retreive my old box but saddly I'm afraid that my real move will be to do a fresh clean install.... ARggggg.... So many applications, configurations.... Damned, I really need to buy some HDD and proceed like I did in the xp time : image my system upon a regular basis and stick to that !

PS : I used ERUNT & ERDNT but they weren't enough....

 

[Brink]

Yeah, keeping a good updated system image sure can be handy when needed.

 

[idoru]

Sure... As 4 hours in the process ended with a stop xxxxxx error related to NTFS.sys when I was reinstalling comodo firewall ! ;.((

I already know my schedule tomorrow : clean fresh install.

Windows7 is sure a robust OS but when it begins to crash it doesn't stand the comparison with xp.

 

[Windspider]

Hi Brink,

Thanks for all the help...turns out the actual issue on my machine causing the BSODS was the RAM.

New build, got 8 gigs of sexy Corsair RAM and...seems my GIGABYTE motherboard just doesn't like it. Its at the shop now and seems to be running stable on Kingston.

I suppose this type of thing happens, especially with new builds...but its annoying nontheless.

learnt a lot anyway.

 

[Brink]

Windspider,

I'm happy to hear that you found the cause. I hope the new system will continue to run great.

 

[scajjr2]

For me this fix ins't working. It keeps telling me I have to do the "upgrade" by starting Windows and doing it from there, but the issue is I can't get to windows (trying to fix son-in-law's laptop) , gives BSOD 6b. Have tried all the MBR and BSD fixes, startup repair won't fix it, was hoping this would work. Any suggestions?

Using a USB stick, asks for cd/dvd driver.

Sam

 

[Brink]

Hello Sam,

Yeah, you're not going to be able to do a repair install if you can't do it from within Windows. Other than doing a clean install, you might take a look at the link below and post any available details in the BSOD Help and Support forum area to see if we may be able to help with the BSOD issue.

Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions

 

[scajjr2]

OK so if I copy his old hard drive over to an external, do a clean install can the clean install then use the data off the external to migrate over his programs and data?

Sam

 

[Brink]

Sam,

The programs will have to be reinstalled, but the data could be copied back over.

 

[Gary]

When I did this , I had to re install all of the Windows updates. It worked out fine. I did not lose anything but time.

 

[vanblam]

32bit to 64bit issue when infact you have 64bit lol

Hello,

I'm having a bit of a problem on my other computer and Ive decided to do a repair on windows 7. Now I know for a fact that the OS is Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit ( even double checked by looking under system) and when i make the attempt to do the upgrade as a repair I get a compatibility issue saying that it cant upgrade a 32bit OS to a 64bit OS. The disk I'm using is the same one I installed it with 8 months ago and it has SP1 on it.

 

[Gary]

I always just do an inplace reinstall following THIS I would print it first.

It does work and you lose nothing but you will have to remove SP1 unless you have a DVD with SP1 on it. When complete you will have to re update all of the Updates from WU.

 

[Ex_Brit]

Hello,

I'm having a bit of a problem on my other computer and Ive decided to do a repair on windows 7. Now I know for a fact that the OS is Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit ( even double checked by looking under system) and when i make the attempt to do the upgrade as a repair I get a compatibility issue saying that it cant upgrade a 32bit OS to a 64bit OS. The disk I'm using is the same one I installed it with 8 months ago and it has SP1 on it.

Are you absolutely sure it's a 64-bit system?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/515-system-type-32-bit-x86-64-bit-x64.html

Right-click "Computer" on your desktop or in the Start menu and select Properties and it should indicate the highlighted line in this picture (click to enlarge if necessary)