Repair Install

Oops. Hopefully it'll go smoothly and quickly.

I recently had to do a repair install to fix many problems with Windows Update, so I created a bootable repair installation disk and followed the tutorial "How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7." This was the first time I took on a project like this--creating a bootable repair installation disk and then using it. For those who frequent this forum, that's probably routine, but for me, it was a huge challenge. I admit I'm pretty proud of myself right now, and yes, I'm gloating a bit. So I thought I'd share my experience for anyone who's apprehensive, as I was.

• First, everything went well. The tutorial is absolutely excellent. Thank you for that, Shawn! And thanks goes to NoelDP in the Windows Updates & Activation forum for helping me with my Windows Update problem.

• When I reached the download page where I had to choose the .iso file (suggested in the tutorial), I had three choices--a "media refresh" version, an "RTM" version, and a "old" version. I had to seek guidance on which one was right for me--I found no such help on the download page. Perhaps adding guidance on this in the tutorial would be helpful.

• It's important to follow the tutorial step by step to the letter. Read the tutorial carefully a few times before doing anything so that you know what comes next and how you will respond to options you'll need to select. I printed it and followed along for reference as I ran the installation disk. This idea might apply to using any tutorial here (am I suggesting a tutorial on tutorials?).

• The installation process can be long. For me it was about 1½ hours from start to finish.

• Watch the progress bars and completion percents, but don't panic when they seem stuck. They're not. The program itself provides excellent explanations of what it's doing, but some procedures take longer than others. I suppose you could walk away from the installation and it would wait for your return for input, but I didn't chance that. I waited nearby and watched the screen so that I could respond to choices and selections quickly.

Thanks again, guys, and Sevenforums, for the help!

Art

Thank you Art for the feedback. I've updated the tutorial to help make more clear what ISO version to get. :)

Hello Martin, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sorry, but a repair install will not help with the program. A repair install will only help with Windows itself.

You might see if reinstalling the program (if it will) to repair it's installation may help.

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn

Note
If you do not have a Windows 7 with SP1 ISO, then you can download the latest official Windows 7 SP1 Media Refresh (SP1 U) ISO file here:

Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links

Link is not working!!! Page not found

Hello Ron,

Hmm, they may be having temporary server issues. You can also get a Windows 7 ISO here.