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]

At this point, you might consider doing a clean install of one or both Windows.

 

[Bullitt08]

I did boot to safe mode. The first x it loaded the drivers for the HD. While looking around monitor shut down puter stayed on with no HD activity. Reset went back to safe mode same thing. Next I just let it try and run 7, it went thru the entire start up to where it should go to the desk top and BSOD again.

Started on the CD it wouldn't repair but offered to restore. So now we wait again.

 

[Bullitt08]

When you do the restore install if your running SP1 can a non SP1 installation disc be used, as in an original retail upgrade disc?

 

[Brink]

When you do the restore install if your running SP1 can a non SP1 installation disc be used, as in an original retail upgrade disc?

Sorry, but no. The installation DVD/USB must be the exact same as what you currently have installed.

 

[Bullitt08]

Ok, somehow I got it working, reboot alls good. Only have the one HD connected, start the repair install all goes well no compatibility issues etc until #13 on page 1. Same as before, gets to expanding files & at 18% it reboots, during reboot there's a black screen at the bottom it says windows is loading files and below that a gray bar that turns white as the files are loaded. The only activity is from the USB stick. Then it goes to #1 but the screen looks like safe mode, low def, with the option to repair below what to know before......if I go to repair there's 2 options: windows setup & windows 7.....setup repair says it can't repair windows setup.

The root cause: failure while setup in progress.

There are files saved.

Pull the stick, reboot and on the screen when option to boot to 7 there's also the setup option, it goes to setup, no time to pick 7, goes back to where it restarted, expanding windows 18%, with the low def screen.

Waiting now.

I've re-loaded/downloaded the repair file that I got from here: Windows 7 Direct Download Links, Official Disk Images from Digital River could there be a problem there?

This is the file: Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 U (media refresh) https://drcdn.blob.core.windows.net/win/X17-58997.iso

I used the windows 7 USB tool to load it on the stick.

 

[Brink]

Great news.

 

[Bullitt08]

Yea well after sitting on 18% forever it finally started moving the last I saw it got to 65+ and the monitor shut off just like before, no mouse etc, no reboot, no HD activity. Hit reset: the upgrade was not successful. Your previous version is being restored. We'll see how this turns out

 

[Brink]

Fingers crossed, but it's looking like a clean install may be in order.

 

[Bullitt08]

2 BSOD later without doing any repair at start up I'm back to my desktop.

A dialog box came up after it finished booting saying to check for compatibility.

 

[Brink]

Back up anything that you do not want to lose now while you have access.

 

[Bullitt08]

I don't get why I can't run the repair install?

Could have something to do with the HD. When I got to boot in safe mode way back, windows had to instal the drivers. It did that after this last time and after I reconnected the other HD they needed installed too.

There's all kind of issues in the event viewer some do pertain to HD, and the dump files which I can't access.

As of now it's running, don't know if it's any better or not

Thanks for all of your input and help.

 

[Brink]

A repair install is not guaranteed to always be able to run usually due to corruption or some other issue preventing it.

I'm glad to hear that your Windows is running again.

 

[BAMAMOM]

If I have Windows 7 Professional installed with SP1 but my disk doesn't specify anything about SP1 then which should I use?

Hello BAMAMOM,

You should be able to use the latest Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 U (media refresh) X17-59186.iso English file download at the link below in the tutorial for the repair install.

Windows 7 Direct Download Links, Official Disk Images from Digital River

Should I create a DVD/Bootable Disc to use to install this?

 

[Brink]

You could create either a DVD or USB. It doesn't matter which one.

 

[looked]

The instructions on the first page under "do a repair installation if" it tells that "programs" will not be affected, could you guys give feedback on this because I got too much work to preserve.

Step 5, I'm in Windows 7 environment and run the setup.exe then go to step 7 and here I'm a bit confused.
Will the repair happen within Windows 7 or the system will reboot to ms-dos like environment?
I know that I can run my Windows 7 disk from boot and do the repair installation but I was interest to read suggestions here in case there are better or more enhanced ways to do it.

 

[Brink]

Hello looked,

You will not be able to do a repair install at boot. It can only be done from within Windows.

Step 7 will still be within Windows. At step 14, the computer will restart to finish the installation.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[looked]

Hello looked,

You will not be able to do a repair install at boot. It can only be done from within Windows.

Step 7 will still be within Windows. At step 14, the computer will restart to finish the installation.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks for quick support, last time I did a system repair was long time ago with Windows XP I remember it worked from cd, maybe I'm mistaken maybe Microsoft changed the way it works, not sure.

So I've to assume that programs will not be affected and that is a good new.
In the mean time I'm trying to integrate all patches since the release of Win 7 SP1 into my dvd's image so to have a repaired and upgraded system in one shot.

 

[BretMan]

I did my repair install using the download burned to disc. The CD was run from within Windows 7 (after logon). During the process it rebooted a few times which during each reboot, I had to logon again with my password. To avoid having to do this, turn off password logon before you start the process. If you do that then you can leave it alone to automatically reboot when it needs to. For me the process took several hours to complete but it turned out fine. Another tip is to plug in a wired mouse and wired keyboard before starting the process - just in case the wireless connection gets quirky on you.

 

[looked]

I did my repair install using the download burned to disc. The CD was run from within Windows 7 (after logon). During the process it rebooted a few times which during each reboot, I had to logon again with my password. To avoid having to do this, turn off password logon before you start the process. If you do that then you can leave it alone to automatically reboot when it needs to. For me the process took several hours to complete but it turned out fine. Another tip is to plug in a wired mouse and wired keyboard before starting the process - just in case the wireless connection gets quirky on you.

Thanks for feedback that sounds good.
Yes I always use wired keyboard and mouse plus I keep a spare old and very basic keyboard which works 100% in any Windows OS because I remember in the past I had one that wasn't recognised by the system.

 

[looked]

OK guys, the fresh install is becoming the last available option for me.
I tried to run the Repair Install but Windows said "Windows could not retrieve information about the disks on this computer".
It seems like a generic script to me because I read other threads on Sevenforums and others forums about people having the same message error but different problems. LOL
Anyone here has a magic solution?