Repairing Windows 7 How to

Repairing Windows 7 How to

NOTE: Be sure to backup 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 or 5 below depending on what type of retail Windows 7 installation media you have, and what Windows 7 you currently have installed.

4. Repair Windows 7 SP1 installation using "retail" Windows 7 with SP1 installation media

A) While in Windows 7, insert your retail Windows 7 with 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 the AutoPlay window from within the currently installed Windows 7.

NOTE: If the AutoPlay window does not open, then open the drive folder in Computer and run the setup.exe file.

B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

C) Click on the Install Now button to start the installation.

D) Go to step 6.

5. Repair Windows 7 SP1 installation using "retail" Windows 7 without SP1 installation media

NOTE: If you have not used the SP1 Disk Cleanup Tool, then you could also just uninstall SP1 and do step 4 above instead with your "retail" Windows 7 without SP1 installation disc instead.

A) While in Windows 7, insert your retail Windows 7 without SP1 installation DVD into the DVD drive, or connect your Windows 7 with SP1 installation USB thumb drive, right click on the DVD drive or USB drive in the Computer window, and click on Open.

B) Right click on the setup.exe file, and click on Properties.

C) Click on the Compatibility tab, check the Run this program in compatibility mode for: box, select Windows Vista (Service Pack 2) from the drop down menu, and click on OK.

D) Run the setup.exe file.

E) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

F) Click on the Install Now button to start the installation.

G) Continue on to step 6.

6. 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.

A) Windows 7 will now check online for and install any available installation updates.

7. Check the I accept the license terms box and click on Next.

8. Click on the Upgrade option.

9. 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.

10. The installation of Windows 7 will now begin.

NOTE: During the installation process, your screen may flash and computer will restart a few times.

11. After the final restart, you will see this screen for a moment.

12. Type in your Windows 7 product key number.

13. Uncheck the Automatically activate Windows when I'm online box unchecked, then click on the Next button.

NOTE: You can activate Windows 7 later after you make sure it is running properly.

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.

14. Click on Use recommended settings.

15. Select your time zone and set your time and date settings, then click on the Next button.

16. Click on the option for your computer's location to select the correct network location type settings to be applied for that location.

NOTE: It is best to select Public location for the best security.

17. Windows 7 will now prepare your desktop to startup.

18. 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.

19. If everything checks out in step 18, then you can run Disk Cleanup (step 6 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.

NOTE: This will delete the C:\Windows.old, C:\$INPLACE.~TR and C:\WINDOWS.~Q folders from step 17 above.

20. Refresh your Windows Experience Index (WEI) score.

21. When done, all you will need to do is to activate Windows 7, and make sure that your security programs are enabled again.