Repair Install Windows 8

How to Repair Install Windows 8 and 8.1 without Losing Anything

information   Information
Windows 8 introduced the option to refresh and reset your PC to repair or reinstall Windows 8 with as needed. These new features are great for what they are intended for, but there are some drawbacks to them.

When you reset your PC, it will basically give you a clean install (retail) or factory recovery (preinstalled OEM) of Windows 8 afterwards. You will lose everything from your current Windows 8 installation.

When you refresh your PC, this basically repairs Windows 8 by reinstalling it while keeping your files, Store apps, most of your settings, etc..... However, all installed 3rd party desktop apps will be removed. If you like, you could create a custom refresh image to not lose anything, but this will require creating new custom refresh images every so often to keep it updated to not lose anything since the last image was created.


This tutorial will show you how to do a repair install (aka: in-place upgrade install) to fix your currently installed Windows 8 without losing anything. For example, desktop apps.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do a repair install of Windows 8.

Note   Note
Settings that will be Preserved when doing a Repair Install
  • All user accounts.
  • Files in all users' C:\Users\(user-name) folders. (ex: Desktop, My Documents, My Music, etc...)
  • Wireless network connections.
  • Apps from the Windows Store will be kept.
  • All installed 3rd party desktop programs will be kept.
  • Mobile broadband connections.
  • BitLocker and BitLocker To Go settings.
  • Windows Firewall settings.
  • Drive letter assignments.
  • File type associations set per user.
  • Metro apps settings per user.
  • Display settings.
  • Personalization settings such as lock screen background and desktop wallpaper.
  • All users' PC settings will be kept.
  • Choices you made during Windows Welcome, such as computer name and user accounts, will not change.
  • Network, Libraries, and Windows Update settings will not change.
  • Customer Experience Improvement Program settings will not change.
  • Windows Error Reporting settings will not change.
  • Some drivers may or may not be removed, but usually will remain.
Settings that will be NOT be Preserved when doing a Repair Install
  • Installed Windows Updates will be removed.
  • Some drivers may or may not be removed, but usually will remain.

warning   Warning

  • You will only be able to do a repair install from within Windows 8.
  • You will not be able to do a repair install at boot or in Safe Mode.
  • You must have at least 8.87 GB + what is currently being used of free space on the hard drive/partition that Windows 8 is installed on. You may need more if you have a larger installation.
Be sure to back up anything that you do not want to lose before doing a repair install just to be extra safe. For example, if you lose power in the middle of doing the repair install.



Here's How:

1. Start Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, and sign in 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 8.

3. Do step 4 or 5 below depending on what you would like to use to do the repair install with.

4. If Using a Windows 8/8.1 DVD or USB to do a Repair Install with

Note   Note


A) Insert/connect and open the DVD or USB, and go to step 6 below.​

5. If Using a Windows 8/8.1 ISO file to do a Repair Install with

Note   Note

  • The ISO you use must be for the same language as the Windows edition you currently have installed.
  • If you have Windows 8 installed, then you must use a Windows 8 ISO.
  • If you have Windows 8.1 installed, then you must use a Windows 8.1 ISO.
  • If you have Windows 8.1 Update installed, then you must use a Windows 8.1 Update ISO.
  • If you have 32-bit Windows installed, then you can only use a 32-bit Windows ISO.
  • If you have 64-bit Windows installed, then you can only use a 64-bit Windows ISO.
  • If you installed 64-bit Windows with UEFI, then you can only use a 64-bit Windows ISO.


B) Open the mounted ISO from This PC if it didn't automatically open, and go to step 6 below.​

6. Double click/tap on the setup file to run it. (see screenshot below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-1.jpg

7. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

8. If this is for Windows 8 Enterprise, then click/tap on Install now. (see screenshot below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-1A.jpg

9. If prompted, select (dot) Download and install updates, and click/tap on Next (Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 8/8.1 Pro). (see screenshots below)
NOTE: If any updates are found, then they will be installed, and installation will restart and continue on to step 10.
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-2.png
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-2B.jpg

10. Enter your product key that matches the installed edition of Windows, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Note   Note
The product key you enter must match what you are installing, or it will not work.

If you have a Windows 8 product key with Windows 8 installed, then you are good.

If you have a Windows 8.1 product key with Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update installed, then you are good.

If you have a Windows 8 product key with Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update installed, then you would need to enter a generic key below to install with, and change the product key later on in step 24 below to activate with your Windows 8 key instead.

If you have Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 8. Enterprise, or Windows 8.1 Update Enterprise installed, then you would need to change the product key later on in step 24 below to activate since Enterprise editions do not ask to enter a key at this step.

  • Windows 8 (core): FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3
  • Windows 8 Pro: XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
  • Windows 8 Pro with Media Center: RR3BN-3YY9P-9D7FC-7J4YF-QGJXW

  • Windows 8.1 (core): 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
  • Windows 8.1 Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
  • Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center: GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT
  • Windows 8.1 Enterprise: MNDGV-M6PKV-DV4DR-CYY8X-2YRXH OR FHQNR-XYXYC-8PMHT-TV4PH-DRQ3H
KMS setup keys (8/8.1): Appendix A: KMS Client Setup Keys


Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-3.jpg

11. Check the I accept the license terms box, and click/tap on Accept (Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro) or Next (Windows 8 Enterprise). (see screenshots below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-4.jpg
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-4B.jpg

12. If this is for Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro, then select (dot) Keep Windows settings, personal files, and apps, click/tap on Next, and go to step 14 below. (see screenshot below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-5.jpg

13. If this is for Windows 8 Enterprise, then click/tap on Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings, and applications. (see screenshot below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-5B.jpg

14. Windows 8 will now check for compatibility issues to see if you'll need to do anything to get your PC ready for Windows 8. If anything is found, you will need to take care of them before continuing. (see screenshot below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-6.jpg

15. If this is for Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro and no issues were found from step 14 above, then click/tap on Install. (see screenshot below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-7.jpg

16. Windows 8 will now start to install. The computer will restart a few times during this. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: This will take a while to finish.
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-8.jpg
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-8B.jpg
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-9.jpg

17. When Windows 8 is finished installing, select a color you like, and click/tap Next. (see screenshot below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-10.jpg

18. Click/tap on Use Express settings. (see screenshot below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-11.jpg

19. Do step 20 or 21 below depending on if your primary administrator account is a local account or Microsoft account.

20. If you have a Microsoft Account
A) Go to step 22 below.​

21. If you have a Local Account
A) Enter the password for the displayed account, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-12.jpg
B) Click/tap on Skip, and go to step 22 below. (see screenshot below)​
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-13.jpg

22. Windows 8 will now startup signed into your administrator account. (see screenshots below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-14.jpg
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-15.jpg

23. Use Disk Cleanup to delete at least the Previous Windows installation(s), Setup Log Files, Temporary Windows installation files, and Windows upgrade log files items to free up the large amount hard drive space that they take. (see screenshots below)
Windows_8_Repair_Install_Windows-16.jpg

24. If you have an Enterprise edition or needed to use a generic key to install with from step 10 above, then you will need to change the product key to be able to enter the product key and activate it. (see screenshots below)
Change_Product_Key-Enterprise.jpg

25. Check for and install any available Windows Updates.

26. If needed, refresh or update you Windows Experience Index (WEI) score.


That's it,
Shawn


 

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Last edited:
This looks very useful. :thumbsup:

How much of this will work for computers which came pre-installed with an OEM version of Windows 8?
 
Thank you guys. I hope it will be helpful.

David,

I don't have a pre-installed OEM version of Windows 8 to test with, but it should work the same as it did with Windows 7 to be able to use a retail ISO/DVD/USB of the same pre-installed OEM edition of Windows 8 to do the repair install with. :)
 
Last edited:
David,

I don't have a pre-installed OEM version of Windows 8 to test with, but it should work the same as it did with Windows 7 to be able to use a retail ISO/DVD/USB of the same pre-installed OEM edition of Windows 8 to do the repair install with. :)
Hello Shawn,

I was wondering because I've seen errors on here (eg. the one I've quoted below) where people have downloaded the ISO and found it doesn't work with OEM installs. This suggests to me that the downloadable ISO (for folks upgrading from Windows 7 etc.) might not work to Repair with an OEM Product Key?
Okay I started the process as you explained, got only up to the part to enter in my product key and getting an error of "This Product Key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8" I'm guessing this maybe because of this being a retail version of Windows and probably using a OEM copy. Any ideas?
 
David,

Yeah, it's not looking like you can use a factory OEM product key with a retail ISO. However, I'm not sure if this may just be an isolated case or a mistake was made though. Since it was a preinstalled Windows 8, the product key should have been embedded in the BIOS/UEFI firmware and entered automatically during installation. Time will tell as more people report their results.
 
Hi,thanks you very much for this wonderful tutorial! I need advice because when i arrive at the step 12 I've only two choices. the choice 2 or 3.of course i want to choose the choice 1. do you have any idea why i haven't this choice. i have a upgrade dvd from win 7. thanks for your helps. Georges.
 
Hello Georges, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Are you doing this from within your Windows 8?

What are you using to do this with?

You will not be able to do a repair install of Windows 8 with a Windows 7 upgrade DVD. You must have a Windows 8 Pro installation DVD, USB, or ISO file to be able to with your Windows 8 Pro installation instead. I'm assuming you mean that you have a Windows 8 upgrade DVD you are using though. ;)

You might see if you may be able to download a Windows 8 ISO using the method in the tutorial below to see if you may be able to use it to do a repair install with instead.

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 
Thanks for your answer and reactivity. I'll try this today and I will tell you about the results. Cordially, Georges.
 
Hello again,
I've tryed your method to burn iso from esd folder with your tool but impossible to have the choice 1. Finally, though i don't like trivial method i have do a refresh of my windows 8... Of course i had all iso of my programs on other hdd and my licences. Keys. But really i would like to understand why i could not obtain this option... Cordially, Georges
 
The ESD folder or files in it may have been deleted already, but you should still be able to download the Windows 8 .iso again.
 
Thanks for the tutorial. I'm running Win 8 Pro w/ media pack (x64) and am trying to do an in-place install (repair), keeping everything. I've tried twice now from my Administrator account, but at Step 12, Choose What to Keep, I'm only getting the bottom two choices, not the "Keep Windows settings,..." The first time I used a backup installation DVD (iso), mounted it, copied over the files to a desktop folder and ran setup from there. The second time I used the original Win 8 disk, which includes Win 8 and Win 8 Pro, and ran setup directly from the CD. What am I missing? Thanks,
 
Hello highstream,



The issue is that you are using Windows 8 Pro installation media on a Windows 8 Pro w/Media Pack installation. Since they are not the same, you would only have the bottom two options instead. :(

To be able to have all options, you would need to uninstall the Media Center Pack using the tutorial below first, then try doing the repair install.
Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 
Thanks! Does the "go back to Win 8 Pro" sequence need to be run from the Administrator account with anti-malware apps killed? Nothing is stated, since much of the process looks the same as the repair install, it's worth asking.
 
Yeah, you'll need to do it while signed in as an administrator, and it would be recommended to temporarily disable or uninstall any AV programs to prevent them from possibly interfering.
 
Hi
I am also having the same issue as other have had with this repair install.
I get to step 12 and only have two options, keep personal files only or nothing.
I installed Windows 8 clean from a MS Win 8 Pro ISO provided to me as a MS partner and I am using the same ISO to attempt the repair install.
Has anyone got any further in discovering the conditions in which the 'keep Windows settings, personal files and apps' option will not get shown?
 
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