- Advanced Boot Options
- System Recovery Options
- Repair Install
- Other Useful Utilities
Repair Install
As an alternative to the repair options discussed so far, you can safely perform a repair install when System Restore fails to resolve an issue or is inapplicable and no other viable option is left. Performing a repair install fixes your Windows 7 problems without obliterating user accounts, applications, data, and system drivers. To be clear, you're not actually performing a factory-fresh installation of Windows or a clean reinstall, which doesn't preserve user-specific system changes.
Ensure the Windows 7 DVD you use is the original Windows 7 installation disc or an updated version; otherwise, you cannot perform the repair install. You'll follow the same process as a standard installation procedure with one significant difference, as outlined below:
- Start Windows 7 and log on to an administrator account.
- Insert the Windows 7 installation disc and run setup.exe.
- Click Install now to begin the installation process.
- Select the Go online to get the latest updates for installation option.
- The installation program will identify and install all applicable updates.
- Check the box marked I accept the license terms and then click Next.
- Select the Upgrade option to begin the repair install. During installation, the computer will restart itself three times.
- Follow the remaining prompts after the final reboot to finalize the installation.
Repair installs clean the Windows slate in a manner of speaking: You get a factory install over your "aftermarket" add-ons and changes. You can use a repair install to fix or refresh your Windows installation without jeopardizing all the applications and configurations you've made.