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PC Support | Article

How do I complete a repair install of Windows 7?

When the user is still able to boot to Windows but a System Restore does not fix the issue, a Repair Install (in place install) may be completed. If this option is chosen, then user accounts, data, applications, and drivers are preserved. This is frequently chosen by users who do not wish to do a clean install of Windows.

  1. To complete the Repair Install, start Windows 7 (you must log into an administrator account)
  2. Disable antivirus, antispyware, internet security, or any 3rd party firewall programs as these could interfere with the Repair Install
  3. Insert the Windows 7 disk. When the autoplay screen pops up, select Run setup.exe. If the User Account Control (UAC) is enabled then you must select YES.
  4. On the initial screen, click on Install Now.
  5. On the next screen, select Go Online to get the latest updates for installation. An online check for available updates will be completed.
  6. You must accept the license agreement.
  7. On the next screen, select the Upgrade option
  8. A check for compatibility issues will now be completed. You must resolve these before the repair install can continue.
  9. During the installation, you should expect the screen to flash and the computer to restart a few times.
  10. At the conclusion of the installation, you will be presented with several screens that you must respond to
    • Help protect your system and improve Windows Automatically - select Use recommended settings.
    • Review your time and date settings
    • Select your computer's current location
  11. Windows will now finalize and go to the desktop.

At this point it is a good idea to check your user files and make sure that none are missing. Missing files may be copied from C:\Windows.old

Once you verify that everything is correct, you should complete a disk clean up. To do so, Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. Choose "Files discarded by Windows upgrade" to delete.

You will not be required to enter you license key or re-activate Windows by this process.