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]

Well I've just completed the repair install step by step and I'm glad to say so far I think it's eliminated the issues I was having, the only thing that seems to have any errors was EIO'dll couldn' tload but I've nailed that down to the ASUS Nvidia graphics card I have, I think it's the smartdoctor program related to the g-card so I'll just reinstall that, also I would like to note my windows live messenger has no issues logging me in. All I'm left with is to say a big thankyou for the extremely useful information on this repair install, if anyone else has any issues that I know of with windows 7 I will be surely pointing them in the direction of this forum.

Thankyou again

ATC Rogue

You're welcome ATC Rogue. I'm happy to hear that you seemed to have got it all sorted out.

 

[ATC Rogue]

Well I thought it had all sorted itself out but my explorer just crashed after activating windows and now crashes everytime I right click on the desktop so it looks like a clean install is needed, I'm just backing up all my docs and other essential files then going to reformat and reinstall, thanks for the repair install guide either way as it's very useful, I guess it just wasn't going to work for me.

Thanks

ATC Rogue

 

[Brink]

I'm sorry to hear that ATC Rogue. I hope that the clean install will run smoothly for you.

 

[AlecksShoe]

Is it possible to do a repair install with another version of Windows 7?

I had Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed so I don't have an installation disc for Home Premium. However, I did borrow a friend's Windows 7 Professional Disc but I don't want to upgrade - just do a repair install. Is this possible?

 

[Brink]

Hello Alecks,

Sorry, but no it will need to be the same edition and version of Windows 7 to do a repair install with it.

 

[crnv88]

But don't those disc have all versions on them? The Key Code determines what version gets installed? If so, then he/she should be able to use it. I sure would try it anyhow...if it works-great, if not-then a little bit of time is lost is all.

 

[AlecksShoe]

Turns out you can't...if you try to do a repair install with the different version Windows 7 Disc it'll tell you to go to the Windows Anytime Upgrade screen to perform an upgrade.

 

[btlastic]

Just a quick question, what's the difference between Repair install and the full custom install? Doesn't custom install keep your files too? (in windows.old)

 

[Brink]

Hello Btlastic, and welcome to Seven Forums.

A repair install is basically the same as a upgrade install, but you are upgrading to the same edition instead. This way it acts like a upgrade and leaves your programs and user profiles and settings intact with the same Windows 7 edition. That's why this is a good repair option when nothing else works. Think of it like resetting the Windows 7, and you still keep everything else as is.

A custom installs the same way as a clean install does almost except that is saves the previous installation to the Windows.old folder as a backup only. Your installed programs, user profiles, and settings will not remain intact. It will be essentially the same a clean install with a backup.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[btlastic]

Hello Btlastic, and welcome to Seven Forums.

A repair install is basically the same as a upgrade install, but you are upgrading to the same edition instead. This way it acts like a upgrade and leaves your programs and user profiles and settings intact with the same Windows 7 edition. That's why this is a good repair option when nothing else works. Think of it like resetting the Windows 7, and you still keep everything else as is.

A custom installs the same way as a clean install does almost except that is saves the previous installation to the Windows.old folder as a backup only. Your installed programs, user profiles, and settings will not remain intact. It will be essentially the same a clean install with a backup.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks for your help. Just another question; the Windows.old folder will contain all my files right? Including all program files, user appdata, documents, music, etc? Basically the whole hard drive?
Thanks.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Btlastic,

Yes, it will include a copy of everything from your previous installation in the Windows.old folder. However, you will still need to reinstall the programs though. You can't just copy them back.

 

[kanjigirl]

This is an excellent tutorial.

I've spent a total of 7 1/2 hours on the phone with Microsoft tech support this week because my computer deletes all system restore points on every reboot. During tonight's session, I was directed to do a repair install of Windows 7 as the last attempt to fix this problem before a clean install.

I put in my DVD and ran the in-place upgrade. When it got to Expanding Windows Files... 18% it froze, saying 'Windows needs to restart your computer.' I let it stay there for about an hour, nothing ever happened.

My Microsoft tech called me back then and told me to reboot, leaving the DVD in. That didn't work - when we got back into the DVD's menu it told us we couldn't do an upgrade from boot, it had to be done from inside Windows 7.

Not sure why the tech guy didn't know that. But anyway, he told me to try it again and will 'call me back Monday' to see how it went. So I'm on my own.

Before I tried again I disabled the firewall on a whim. This time, the computer DID restart when it hit 18% on Expanding Windows Files. But when it rebooted it gave me the 'Select CD-ROM Boot Type' and I didn't know what to select. I picked 1.

Again, when it finally got back into the DVD menu (after getting back into Windows 7) it wanted to start over. This is when I found your article - I disabled both the firewall and antivirus and am now running the repair install again.

My question is - what happens if the computer restarts but doesn't reboot all the way on its own? How do I resume running the repair install without starting it over, again and again?

 

[Brink]

Hello Kanjigirl, and welcome to Seven Forums.

When the computer restarts, do not press anything and let it continue booting on it's own. It should restart back in setup own it's own without you having to do anything. If you do press a key while it's restarting, it may boot from the DVD instead and start the installtion over from boot instead of finishing the current one.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[kanjigirl]

That's what I did - I let it boot, never touched it, left the disk in. It always went to the 'select boot type' menu. I tried doing the repair install three times, same results each time. And when I gave up and got back into Win7, it told me it couldn't complete the repair install because my computer wasn't compatible.

However...

This morning I turned on my computer and immediately I see an 'Upgrading Windows' screen, then it picks up at 'Expanding Folders 18%' right where it left off last night. I don't understand this at all (there was no DVD in) but I won't argue with it.

My external HD, which it hasn't recognized for a week, is now up and running again so I'm doing a full image before I do step 18 and cleanup my disk. I'm hopeful I'll then be able to complete your wonderful tutorial - and THEN I will peek to see if System Restore is now working properly or not. Fingers crossed.

 

[Brink]

That's great news. I hope it goes well. Please let us know how it went.

 

[kanjigirl]

I created a test SRP yesterday - and this morning it and three others are showing up. So this procedure worked when nothing else helped. Thanks again.

 

[Brink]

I'm happy to hear it worked for you Kanjigirl. Thank you for posting back your results.

 

[Peaches491]

Ive had various system stability problems lately, and i was hoping that this was my answer.

But while trying to do a repair install, i got Error code: 0x80070241, unable to copy some files.

Ideas?

I'd very much like to avoid a clean install

 

[Brink]

Hello Peaches,

Double check to make sure that you did step 2 to close any programs that are running and to temporarily disable your antivirus program. If you have, then you may have a corrupted Windows 7 installation disk or hard drive. It would not hurt to run chkdsk to see if it is your hard drive.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[tgcws]

Hello,
Windows 7 has started shutting down really quickly. Then when I boot the next day the home page appears or not with big black blocks, the system shuts itself down comes back flashes a blue screen so fast there is no way you could see why, then I get the black screen that windows did not shut down properly and gives options of how to boot...I choose normally and all is well. This may or may not happen every day. This has been going on for about 2 weeks.
Just a note, I work on my data files from an external drive that has been checked and is compatible with windows 7, this drive is a regular esata drive in a usb case.
Any ideas as to what is going on. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

By the way I have done the repair install and it fixed the issue at the time this is something new that has come up.

Thanks
TGCWS