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

 

[BuzWeaver]

Buz,

I'd hate to say it, but you may be better off to do a clean install instead to get a fresh start. It'll take longer, but you'll be happier with the end result.

LOL, I thought as much. Thanks for your help.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. I hope it goes smoothly and quick for you.

 

[Hunter36]

Love your tutorials, Brink. But, I'm having an issue here. I'm going through the steps of this tutorial, but the issue is, that when I want to upgrade Windows 7 to repair it, I come across that Broadcom Control Suite is incompatible if I upgrade it. However, the Broadcom Control Suite isn't even installed, I removed it way before hand. I checked the registry, AppData, even the Program Files doesn't have it. Is there something I'm missing here? By the way, the file's attached below.

 

[Brink]

Hello Hunter,

How did you remove the Broadcom Control Suite? Did you do so through "Programs and Features?

From the report, it may not have been successfully or correctly uninstalled.

No worries though, the report is just recommending to uninstall it. It's not going to affect being able to do a repair install.

However, the report does say that you will need to restart the computer first, then start the repair install again.

 

[Hunter36]

Hello Hunter,

How did you remove the Broadcom Control Suite? Did you do so through "Programs and Features?

From the report, it may not have been successfully or correctly uninstalled.

No worries though, the report is just recommending to uninstall it. It's not going to affect being able to do a repair install.

However, the report does say that you will need to restart the computer first, then start the repair install again.

I uninstall it from Programs and Features of course but it's not there to uninstall if I didn't do it right, and I did restart my computer but I'm yet to try and do the repair install again. I will do that after I leave here.

 

[Brink]

Could be remnants of the program still lurking around making it seem like it's still installed but not. Most likely in the registry.

Hopefully the repair install will take care of this as well. If not, then try installing and uninstalling the program again to see if it gets uninstalled completely this round.

 

[Hunter36]

Could be remnants of the program still lurking around making it seem like it's still installed but not. Most likely in the registry.

Hopefully the repair install will take care of this as well. If not, then try installing and uninstalling the program again to see if it gets uninstalled completely this round.

Well, I tried to do the repair mode, but I realized that it's a Dell Dimension 5150 PC I'm trying to repair on. This PC won't even allow the Windows 7 DVD to load the files and update when it's in Boot mode. It'll not run the DVD for hours after I try to upgrade the system files.

 

[Brink]

In that case, you may need to do a factory recovery instead.

How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell Computer

 

[Hunter36]

In that case, you may need to do a factory recovery instead.

How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell Computer

I could try that, but the warranty expired 6 years ago.

 

[Brink]

No worries, the warranty has nothing to do with doing a factory restore.

The link in my post will show you how to use the factory recovery partition on your PC to restore Windows 7 back to factory conditions.

Be sure to back up anything that you do not want to lose to another location first though.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Can this be done from within win7 safe mode?

 

[Brink]

Hello Ron,

Sorry, but a repair install would not work at boot or in Safe Mode. It can only be done from within Windows since it's basically just an in-place upgrade to the same edition.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Hello Ron,

Sorry, but a repair install would not work at boot or in Safe Mode. It can only be done from within Windows since it's basically just an in-place upgrade to the same edition.

I have a friend and tried startup repair (all tests status 0x0 so success). It concludes it can't boot, but No root cause found. system restore doesn't work... no restore points at all. sfc/scannow /offbootdir (with logging) many errors.

On normal boot it enters recovery environment startup repair.

Only thing that works is booting in safe mode. Booting to safe mode is as far as I know, just a minimal normal mode. It uses the standard VGA-driver and only a few services are started.

What extra services do I need to start to be able to do a repair install? I did already try a Clean Startup by disabling all startup items and NON microsoft services by using msconfig.

 

[Brink]

Ron,

If it was able to boot when you did a clean startup, then it should be a matter of enabling each startup item one at a time to find the culprit causing it to not startup properly.

You may be able to do a repair install from within a clean startup since it's still technically in Windows and not Safe Mode.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Ron,

If it was able to boot when you did a clean startup, then it should be a matter of enabling each startup item one at a time to find the culprit causing it to not startup properly.

You may be able to do a repair install from within a clean startup since it's still technically in Windows and not Safe Mode.

clean startup does enter startup repair immediately. So not working.

How can I simulate safe mode in normal mode? I mean what do I have to disable so it's actually the same? Afterwards i can try a repair install (in place upgrade). Or can I simply boot to safe mode and then start the services needed to do the repair install? I'm not at his house (50miles away) otherwise I just tried it myself

 

[Brink]

Could be video drivers then. While in Safe Mode, uninstall the video drivers, then install a version that was know to work to see if that may help.

 

[1Engineer]

This procedure is great if the user can actually login to Windows; however, often times the repair is required because Windows will not load and the login screen is not available.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Could be video drivers then. While in Safe Mode, uninstall the video drivers, then install a version that was know to work to see if that may help.

Indeed it was a video driver problem!! Thanx

 

[Brink]

Great news Ron. I'm glad that got it.

 

[Brink]

This procedure is great if the user can actually login to Windows; however, often times the repair is required because Windows will not load and the login screen is not available.

Unfortunately, that's when reinstalling may be required.