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]

Go ahead and follow the steps at the link below, and post back with your MGADiag report. It'll let us know is you are currently activated with a COA or SLP key.

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...ne-activation-issue-posting-instructions.html

If it's a COA key, then you could use any of the other options in the tutorial below to get your key number to use to activate with.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/153626-product-key-number-windows-7-find-see.html

 

[spanishflyer]

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
 
Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-G43VH-9MTYW-4HYF3
Windows Product Key Hash: i0uzh4lBMSGnirCUjv0ZRdMDnCQ=
Windows Product ID: 00371-OEM-9314031-26423
Windows Product ID Type: 8
Windows License Type: COA SLP
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048
ID: {E8762831-8740-4097-9EE5-FB6339DFC52B}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Professional
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_gdr.140303-2144
TTS Error: 
Validation Diagnostic: 
Resolution Status: N/A
 
Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
OGA Data-->
Office Status: 100 Genuine
Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 - 100 Genuine
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3_E2AD56EA-765-d003_E2AD56EA-766-0_E2AD56EA-134-80004005_E2AD56EA-765-b01a_E2AD56EA-766-0_E2AD56EA-148-80004005_16E0B333-89-80004005_B4D0AA8B-1029-80004005
 
Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed
 
File Scan Data-->
 
Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{E8762831-8740-4097-9EE5-FB6339DFC52B}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-4HYF3</PKey><PID>00371-OEM-9314031-26423</PID><PIDType>8</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-451469701-1824189305-163659499</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.</Manufacturer><Model>G75VW</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>American Megatrends Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>G75VW.223</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="7"/><Date>20130107000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>A1EF3307018400FE</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Romance Standard Time(GMT+01:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>_ASUS_</OEMID><OEMTableID>Notebook</OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>100</Result><Products><Product GUID="{91120000-00CA-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office Small Business 2007</Name><Ver>12</Ver><Val>BC42A63E42015B2</Val><Hash>OEfXDqbJ0mF+ym0lvt3DZxhI86o=</Hash><Pid>81606-OEM-6472995-79767</Pid><PidType>4</PidType></Product></Products><Applications><App Id="16" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="18" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="19" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="1A" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="1B" Version="12" Result="100"/></Applications></Office></Software></GenuineResults> 
 
Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
 
Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7601.17514
 
Name: Windows(R) 7, Professional edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, OEM_COA_SLP channel
Activation ID: da22eadd-46dc-4056-a287-f5041c852470
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00371-00186-140-326423-02-1033-7600.0000-3452013
Installation ID: 009382507684295923552175941245416625504863425524166031
Processor Certificate URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338[/URL]
Machine Certificate URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339[/URL]
Use License URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341[/URL]
Product Key Certificate URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340[/URL]
Partial Product Key: 4HYF3
License Status: Licensed
Remaining Windows rearm count: 4
Trusted time: 05-Oct-14 8:44:19 PM
 
Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: 0x80072EE7
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: 9:14:2014 18:43
ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:
 
 
HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: NAAAAAIAAQABAAEAAAACAAAABAABAAEAHKIC93cW3nO0JIZ3SCOQtBaDfsqi/MocJKaWYw==
 
OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A
 
OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x20001
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information: 
ACPI Table Name    OEMID Value    OEMTableID Value
APIC            _ASUS_        Notebook
FACP            _ASUS_        Notebook
HPET            _ASUS_        Notebook
MCFG            _ASUS_        Notebook
FPDT            _ASUS_        Notebook
ECDT            _ASUS_        Notebook
SLIC            _ASUS_        Notebook
SSDT            AhciR1        AhciTab1
SSDT            AhciR1        AhciTab1
SSDT            AhciR1        AhciTab1
SSDT            AhciR1        AhciTab1
DMAR            INTEL         SNB

Chinese to me...

I tried Magic jelly bean and it worked!

Now I guess I can continue with the original plan....

Thanks a lot Brink, and if you don't mind, I will keep you posted; today I had two sudden crashes

By the way which would be the correct iso file to download in my case: X17-59337 or X17-59186.iso??

 

[Brink]

Great news that it's a COA key. Yep, you will be able to enter and activate with this key.

I don't see anything that says you have a N Windows, so you would want the latest Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 U (media refresh) X17-59186.iso file.

 

[spanishflyer]

Thanks a lot Brink;

I'll keep you posted (Hope you don't mind..)

Spanish Flyer

 

[spanishflyer]

Windows 7 Pro 64 crashing and corrupted files cont.

Ok Brink,

Following your instructions I managed to updateor upgrade my Windows 7 64 Professional SP1. When I do an sfc /scannow I get :

"verification 100% complete.
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations"... which is great , but as I told you before the retched "but" is once more present, since even when I no longer have corrupt windows files, on my first try to run one game, the computer crashed, just as before, so it seems that my association between corrupted files and the computer crashing is not related.
I am however very grateful for your help and at least now Windows is at 100%..

The only other question that is mentioned at the end of your repair thread is how to recover the programs that have been left on those temporary files, such as $INPLACE.~TR, $WINDOWS.~Q, ASO; I don't have a clear idea on how to proceed. As an example, my Avast antivirus was one of them and I ended-up reinstalling it from scratch; I sure hope I don't need to do that with every program in those files....

And by the way, can you suggest where to search next in order to try and sort out this very unacceptable behaviour of my computer? Bear in mind that it seems to be random and it can happen in any situation, even though the more demanding programs, such as games bring the crash more often.... At least if you can suggest where to look for the origin, that would be of great help; something like a file windows ceates when it crashes, that points out what was going on in the instance the failure took place.

Thanks a lot for your help at any rate.

Best Regards,

Spanish Flyer

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

You would only need to double check to make sure there's nothing that you need in those $INPLACE.~TR, $WINDOWS.~Q, ASO folders if they are not still where they normally are saved at.

I'd go ahead and create a new thread in the "General Discussion" forum area for the other issues to see what we can do to help there.

 

[ABE]

Hi Brink,

For the link you posted, I tried the first method, and experienced some difficulty. I tried the driver, but that didn't work because I needed Microsoft .NET 4.5. So I tried to download Microsoft .NET, but I got an error so I downloaded an Fixit application to fix that for me. But that didn't work either. So I troubleshooted the Fixit application, but that didn't go so hot.. either.

So I would like to try the second Method, but I'm a little weary of going into BIOS, because I think I might just go screw things up. The thing is, the drive is detected, I'm using it right now in fact (running Windows 7, but with many issues). So could you tell me how to go by doing Method 2? I'm not sure what AHCI or IDE is, and don't want to mess with it.
By the way, I'm using a WD Blue 1TB drive: Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive - All Desktop Hard Drives - Newegg.ca

Thanks again

 

[Brink]

Abe,

Most likely you are already using AHCI as you should be for SATA drives.

It looks like you are looking at having to do a clean install of Windows instead.

Since this is an HP computer: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[channoff]

This tutorial is a life saver. Thanks.

 

[desperatojane]

i'm currently unable to boot into windows or into safe mode, i've exhausted all the repair options, startup repair, sfc, chkdsk, etc. if i do a repair install directly from boot, will any of my old user accounts, data, programs, and system drivers be erased? any major differences with this method over doing a repair install in windows? thanks!

 

[Brink]

i'm currently unable to boot into windows or into safe mode, i've exhausted all the repair options, startup repair, sfc, chkdsk, etc. if i do a repair install directly from boot, will any of my old user accounts, data, programs, and system drivers be erased? any major differences with this method over doing a repair install in windows? thanks!

Hello Jane,

I'm afraid that a repair install can only be done from within Windows since it's basically just an in-place upgrade to the same edition.

There were some other options posted in your thread below that may hopefully be able to help.

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/349677-blinking-screen-boot-please-wait-screen.html

 

[fuster]

Repair attempt interrupted...

I was attempting a Win 7 Pro 64-bit repair after downloading the SP1 ISO. Everything was going smoothly until the first reboot when I got a BSOD from the vuhub.sys (Asus router file). I rebooted and luckily I still had the option on the boot screen (choice) of my old Windows 7 (along with the new 'Windows Install').

I believe I have gotten rid of the previous problem which caused the BSOD, but was wondering if I should just simply attempt the repair again or if I needed to perform any other steps beforehand.

Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Hello Fuster,

Selecting the "Windows Install" option may allow you to pick up where you left off with the repair install.

If not, then yes you could attempt the repair install again if you like.

 

[igeorge]

I tried 3 times to repair install like on tutorial and it did fail
Windows 7 ultimate with SP1
The CD is the same retail
Pc = I7 with 12 Gb ram
Drive C 770 Gb free from 931 total
The step 2, Gathering info ... take almost 10 hours.
Windows fail on last step Transferring files and settings after second boot. I did not see any error message. Just reboot by itself and tell me that will revert back
What files I need to attach to check why it is fail ?
I am in the process to do it again.
Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello George,

Unfortunately, when it fails to do a repair install like that, you usually would need to clean install instead.

 

[igeorge]

From all the log files , what should i post to get a suggestion why it did fail ?

 

[Brink]

You can check the logs mentioned in the Microsoft KB articles below to see if any error or failure messages are in them to help ID the cause.

Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Vista setup log file locations

Windows Setup Log Files

 

[igeorge]

Thank you
I will see what happen now and post some logs afters if needed

 

[igeorge]

Hello Brink,
It did fail again. Out of the blue, it reboot and went to rollback.

I read your email where to find the logs files of installation, but they are so many
Do you have a preference to send to you or post here so you can help me to pinpoint the failure cause ?
Please help me if you can, because i am at the end of the rope, but i cannot afford to reinstall windows clean and reinstall all programs. To many programs to configure and too many licenses to ask for them again from developer.
Thank you very much

 

[Brink]

If you like, you could ZIP them and upload them here. We have a limit of 8 MB per ZIP file though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html