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]

 

[jerm]

Hello, I have an ASUS laptop, model number: K53E. I have Windows Home Prem OA and it appears to be an OEM version.

The Windows update on my laptop is not updating. When I try and do it manually I end up with an error that says "Windows could not search for new updates," with an error code 800f081f. My searching eventually led me to a thread here that suggested (another user) to do a repair install, with a link to this thread.

In attempting to download an ISO file for the repair install, I have to enter my key on the Windows site and it tells me I need to go the the manufacturer of the laptop. Apparently my laptop did not come with a recovery DVD, its on a hidden recovery partition. Is there any way to make a bootable flash drive ISO out of the recovery partition or am I stuck with doing a clean install/recovery?

If I can't do a repair install, can I do the free Windows 8 or 10 upgrade if I want to keep all my files/programs or will the error preventing Windows update also prevent the upgrade? I'm not particularly hellbent on keeping 7.

Thanks so much for any help!

 

[Brink]

Hello jerm, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to do a repair install with OEM installation media. Only with retail installation media that is the same version as what you currently have installed.

Technically, the free upgrade to Windows 10 Home from Windows 7 Home is no longer officially available. However, many have reported still being able to upgrade for free to Windows 10.

If you like, you could try it by downloading the latest Windows 10 Home ISO file, and do an upgrade install using the ISO file. If prompted for a product key, enter your Windows 7 key to see if it will be accepted.

Download Windows 10 ISO File Installation Upgrade Tutorials

Upgrade to Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

I would recommend to back up anything that you do not want to lose to be safe.

 

[Efdy]

Hello. Thank you for providing this tutorial. That helped me a lot, and the computer seems to be functioning normally again.

I was going to try the convenience update thing after doing a repair install, but the automatic update thing went right into action following the repair install.

Is there an installation option that will result in automatic Windows updates being switched off when the installation of Windows 7 completes? Would you just select "Ask me later" in step 17 of this tutorial, or does the installation option in step 17 pertain to more than how Windows Update will be set to function at the conclusion of the repair install?

Also, this is a suggestion. When I got to step 12, compatibility check, the only thing listed was iTunes, so I guess that's still a thing, but anyway the tutorial instructions say "12. Windows will now check for any compatibility issues. If any are found like in the example below, take care of them first then restart the repair install process over again." And the onscreen instructions the installation provides say to "Cancel the upgrade..." and uninstall the program listed. I didn't know if that meant click the red X to cancel the repair install or if I should click Next because that would be telling it to do what should be done next, like cancel the installation of Windows 7. Do you know what I mean? So maybe it would help to just mention in the tutorial to click the red X to cancel the repair install.

 

[Brink]

Hello Efdy,

Step 17 would indeed be for Windows Update after the installation has finished. You can always change your Windows Update settings though.

Good point for step 12. I've updated it to help make it more clear.

 

[Efdy]

Hello. Thank you for making a reply. Thank you again for helping me. Thank you for Seven Forums. I hope you will have a good week.

 

[Efdy]

Thank you.

It's been a few months since the repair install. That Windows>Logs>CBS folder was increasing in size by GB per day--I have no idea why, really; it kept doing that even after errors were fixed with help from Snick and others--but it doesn't do that anymore. I still don't know how to use a computer very well, but at least this one works so much better again, and the older one is better off after Snick helped me resolve a bunch of errors on that one related to using Avast, I guess. I got the Malwarebytes premium for both PCs for real-time protection and bought that Macrium license for multiple PCs and set that up as best as I could figure out how to do. Maybe I will be all right until Windows 7 is no longer supported, or whatever. I hope I didn't just jinx myself somehow.

Thank you to the administrators for SevenForums and to everyone who takes time to offer help here. Sorry if I put this in the wrong place or if it was stupid to post it.

 

[Brink]

I'm glad it was able to help Efdy.

 

[entib]

Hi everybody and Brink,

I have been recommended to perform a Repair Install in this thread because of an audio issue.

Even I hoped for a much less invasive solution (still hoping!), nevertheless the Repair Install could be the choice of last resort.

My system is Windows 7 x64 SP1 Ultimate and according to the System control panel the serial number contains an 'OEM'.
At the same time, using Speccy I found the 25 number long #.
However I own a MSDN original ISO file (Win 7 x64 SP1 Ultimate) that could be burned as a DVD.

But I am not sure how to interpret the 'Warning' at page 1 of this thread.

I am referring to this excerpt:
"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."

1) So.. will I able to use my ISO/DVD for the Repair Install of my current Windows 7?

Other issue:

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.

The C:\ free space currently is 33 GB with the Windows folder using 27.5 GB.
C:\program files is 3.5 GB and C:\ program files (x86) is 15 GB.
C:\Users is 198 GB because of larges files on desktop.

2) How much space do I need to free up, please?

Thank you!

 

[Brink]

Hello entib,

That part of the warning is just to let you know that you can use a retail ISO to repair install an OEM installation since you can't use OEM factory recovery media to repair install.

That should be enough free space for the repair install. If not for some reason, the repair install will just fail at some point, and automatically revert back to where you were before doing it. I would recommend to go ahead and free up as much space as possible to be extra safe to help avoid wasting time if it fails.

:ar: Hard Disk Space - Free Up and Recover

 

[entib]

Hi Brink,
Thanks for your help and clarifications.

That part of the warning is just to let you know that you can use a retail ISO to repair install an OEM installation since you can't use OEM factory recovery media to repair install.

and

"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."

So my MSDN ISO/ DVD is equivalent of a Retail DVD in my scenario and can I use it for repair my OEM?

 

[Brink]

Correct, it's the same as a retail version and can be used as long as it's the same language, edition, and version or higher as what you currently have installed.

 

[entib]

"same version or higher"?
How a Microsoft ISO or DVD (5/6 years old) can be the same version or higher than a current, installed up-to-date Windows 7 x64 SP1 (6.1.7600600385)?
It would be surely older than that current release...
It can only be same version or lower.

 

[Brink]

That's the potential issue with an older OS.

It won't hurt to try the repair install since it will only fail and revert back if not successful.

 

[entib]

Ok clear.
Another question, please.
Currently the HD where Windows 7 x64 SP1 Ultimate is installed also includes another partition with Windows XP.
So booting the PC, there is the Boot Manager showing for a few seconds:
Windows 7
Windows XP

Usually I simply press enter when the Windows 7 is selected or after a few seconds automatically Windows 7 starts.

Will this Boot Manager setting be an issue for this Windows Reinstall on place?

 

[SIW2]

Up to date version is currently 7601.24168

7601 is the build. You will have difficulty getting 7600 ( non SP1) media to perform repair install.

24168 is the service build. That doesn't seem to cause any problems for repair install.

"same version or higher"?
How a Microsoft ISO or DVD (5/6 years old) can be the same version or higher than a current, installed up-to-date Windows 7 x64 SP1 (6.1.7600600385)?
It would be surely older than that current release...
It can only be same version or lower.

 

[entib]

Hi SIW2,

What do you mean for:
7601 is the build. You will have difficulty getting 7600 ( non SP1) media to perform repair install. ?

Using the Winver command I am getting:
Version 6.1 (Build 7601: Service Pack 1)

My ISO /DVS actually includes the SP1 so I am not sure about your post.

 

[SIW2]

Using the Winver command I am getting:
Version 6.1 (Build 7601: Service Pack 1)

My ISO /DVS includes the SP1.

You would have difficulty trying to use non SP1 ( 7600) installation media.

Your media contains SP1 (it is 7601) your current installation is also 7601, so should be fine.

You will have a lot of updates to get afterwards, and you will also need to reactivate ( so have your product key handy).

The repair install should retain your existing boot menu entries.

 

[entib]

Ok, so then I am ready. Thank you!

Backup with 3rd party software has been done with boot CD available.

Also I save Windows desktop icons positions.

Let's keep fingers crossed!

 

[SIW2]

Turn off your a/v. I always do - not sure if it strictly necessary.

I have lost count of the number of repair installs I have done - it is a useful feature. It can take quite a while if you have a huge number of programs installed.