Repair or reinstall Windows 7

[dswapp]

I know a similar thread from Dec 2010 began by Johnnya already talked about this but and some of the links on it were really helpful, but I've been having a lot of trouble with my computer and figured I need to repair Windows 7. Of course, my computer came with Windows 7 already installed and I didn't make one. I downloaded the installation iso from digital river via PC World, but everytime I tried to download the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool I was redirected to the Microsoft store. I've burned the iso file to a DVDdl using a regular burner, but I don't know if that will work. Some links on this page took me to the Microsoft site for the The Windows® Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows® 7 but the instructions say "To install the Windows AIK, you must first download the ISO, Write the ISO file to a DVD using a third party tool, and then install the Windows AIK from the DVD. For installation on Windows prior to Windows 7, this download requires that you run genuine Microsoft Windows. Click the Continue button in the Validation Required section to begin the validation process. After validation is complete, you will return to this page to continue the download." I'm not sure what this means or what to do to repair windows 7 on my computer. Maybe I should just totally reinstall it. I have the product key. Can anyone help me or am I going to have to resort to the Geek Squad?

 

[marsmimar]

Hello dswapp and welcome to Seven Forums.

"I've burned the iso file to a DVDdl using a regular burner, but I don't know if that will work."

You can see if the DVD works by seeing Step 5A in this Repair Install tutorial. If you get to the "Install Now" screenshot in Step 8, the DVD will most likely work.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

If the DVD doesn't work, use the link in Step 4's "NOTE" to download a new ISO and save it to your desktop. Follow the instructions in this tutorial to burn the ISO to a new DVD.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/548-burn-disc-image-iso-img-file.html

A repair install will probably take about an hour or so to run. If successful, you'll have to visit the Windows Update site to reinstall updates. Microsoft made it a little easier to get those updates when they released a Hotfix Rollup containing the first 90 or so updates after SP1 was released.

A hidden Patch Tuesday gem: A Windows 7 hotfix rollup | ZDNet

As long as you have your 25-digit Product Key, you shouldn't have any problem reactivating your repair Windows 7.

 

[Ztruker]

Alternatively, try Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 | USB Pen Drive Linux. I've used it many times to create a bootable Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 flash drive.

The only "gotcha" is the first step. You need to scroll all the way to the bottom to select the Windows version.

 

[raphoenix]

Can use Rufus to make a USB Bootable ISO Installation Stick.

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Directions are self evident and don't require any addition programs are special computer skills.

 

[whs]

Forget the WAIK. You don't need that.