How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7

Repair Install

How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7

 
 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, 5, or 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 the latest official Windows 7 with SP1 ISO file here:
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 installation DVD/USB, then you can download 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 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 and use step 4 or 5 above to do a repair install instead.

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, take care of them first 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)

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. 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)

22. 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.

23. Refresh your Windows Experience Index (WEI) score.
24. When done, all you will need to do is to activate Windows 7, and make sure that your security programs are enabled again.