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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wow!!

Ok well here I go............I hope to have success!

Thanks!!


PS why is it there not more info on this? Microsoft said it cant be done lol........the tech support line that is.
 
You're most welcome.

I guess since it's not an official method, they don't have it in their guide manuals.
 
Stick the install disk in the drive while booted, then run Setup. Then go to Starbucks, win 8 usually does it all automatically.

You should really secure your workstation though, and ESET/Malwarebytes. Those are the only two AV that work.
 
I have a dual boot system, a desktop PC I built myself. 3 ea 1TB hard drives and Windows XP Pro resides on the drive 0 as C:\ logical partition of drive 0 has D:\ as well as F:\ F: is the partition that has my Windows 8.1 PRO installation, that, until recently, has worked great. I could dual boot between either 8.1 PRO or the "earlier operating system" which was XP PRO. I have some software and setups on XP that are/can only be used in xp. Some aren't even available anymore.

The other day I turn on my monitor and Windows 8.1 was "hung" so I tried to push 'sleep' on my keyboard and then bring it out of sleep to see if that would bring back the video. No luck, so I shut it down and restarted. Ever since I get the boot menu that lists 8.1 and "earlier operating system (XP)" and I can boot right into XP with no issues. It is when I try to boot into 8.1 pro that I have the problems. It simply won't go/boot into the 8.1. I see the partition in my XP OS it's there and seems intact. (logical drive) and there are many programs I have installed in it including Classic Shell.

I have my Windows 8.1 pro DVD. Is there any way possible I can use it to do a repair/install and keep the registry and installed files on my 8.1 PRO operating system?
 
Hello Aksarben, and welcome to Eight Forums. :)

You will be able to safely do a repair install of Windows 8.1 without messing up XP since Windows 8.1 was installed last, but you will have to do it from within Windows 8.1 and not at boot. You will not be able to do a repair install at boot.
 
Thanks Brink for the welcome!!!

Unfortunately, I have not been able to even boot back into Windows 8.1 pro. I get to the boot menu screen and I can choose "Earlier Windows Operating System" and then it shuts down, BIOS appears again, and now it boots into Windows XP. If I choose the Windows 8.1 It runs for a bit, screen goes blank and stays that way until I push the reset button. I used a program at this local Dual-boot Repair tool - Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista that should fix the MBR and boot records. I have even tried to repair the booting from the Windows 8.1 PRO DVD I have, going into command prompt, using bootrec /fixboot, bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /rebuildbdc and so on. Nothing let me boot back into 8.1. Yet, in viewing that partition all files seem there, and even though the partition is not active (logical) partition, it was booting ok just a week ago on my dual boot setup.

In the Advanced part of the DVD menu It won't even fix the startup, nor do a refresh. The one thing I wonder is if I should change the partition to "Primary" rather than "Logical" that it is?

Any suggestions are worth a try. I cloned the entire Drive 0 (C: D: F: ) from the WD to a same size Seagate drive and that is the one I am playing with. If something is not right, at least I can put the WD back in and still boot to XP if needed or can access the files on the partition of the Windows 8.1 PRO installation on drive F:
 
It's looking like you may need to back up what you can from Windows 8 while in XP, then delete and reinstall Windows 8.1.
 
It would be best to go ahead and create a new thread to get help with your issue instead since it's not related to this tutorial.
 
Setup for the repair questions

I am about to do a repair on my wife's XPS 8700, Win8.1, 64 bit. I will use a current Win8.1/64 ISO on a second internal HD. I think I have a set of recovery tools prepared. I plan on disabling Norton until this is complete. I have two kinds of questions, all having to do with the process that takes place at the beginning. Do I need to do anything with TWEAKUAC? How about START8? How about the norrmal Autostart of apps? Do I need to do anything with Secure Boot, [I don't think so, currently ON]? Since I'm repairing a Dell installed Win8.1, I don't think I need to do anything about the license [I have it, but don't think I'll need it}. I have to admit I'm nervous about this, especially since it is my wife's personal machine. I could be in real trouble....
 
Hello desertdad, :)

I'd go ahead and temporarily disable secure boot in addition to Norton before starting to help make sure it won't interrupt the repair install, and can enable it again afterwards.
 
ESD or ISO

Assumptions are a killer...The ISO I will be using is really an .ISO file instead of the MCT downloaded ESD file. That file has a Sources\install.esd. After decrypting the ESD file I ended up with a real .ISO filetype containing a Sources\Install.iso. Whenever people talk about downloading the "ISO file", I just wanted to make sure my using the decrypted ISO file would be ok. I'll go ahead and disable secure boot, leave the machine in UEFI boot mode and leave Fast Start disabled.:thumb:
 
I might be in trouble

Doing the repair on another machine...Secure boot, Norton, firewall disabled... picked up some updates...didn't ask for license as expected...accepted the terms...keeping everything...successful started into checking for compatibility [Making sure you're ready to install, Please Wait spinning]...taking a very long time, infrequent small blips of disk activity, I would have expected this to go pretty quickly. Is this behavior to be expected? Just the compatibility check has been going for over an hour. Can I kill this anytime until I actually start the install? If this doesn't fly, I'm probably into a refresh.
Any ideas? The thing that has me the most worried is the miniscule amount of disk activity.:(

Update: I backed out of this at 2 1/2 hours of checking for compatibility. I really hate to start with the as-delivered state. What a PIA. I need to step back a bit. I turned secure boot back on and restarted Norton/firewall. Her system is back up and running crippled but usable.:sick:
 
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A repair install can take a long time depending on bad of shape the OS is in. Otherwise, you could do a clean install that would be faster and give you the best results, but you would lose anything that is not backed up first.
 
To run this on my Win 8.1, do I need to/ would it be better to SlipStream the Installed KBs/ Updates on my OS? (I ca see them) into Win 8.1 media?
 
Hello xbliss,

Unfortunately, you wouldn't be able to use slipstream installation media to do a repair install with.

As long as the installation media is for the same version and language as you have installed, you would be able to use it for a repair install though.
 
Hello xbliss,

Unfortunately, you wouldn't be able to use slipstream installation media to do a repair install with.

As long as the installation media is for the same version and language as you have installed, you would be able to use it for a repair install though.
Ok. I can use original media, but that would over write newer SPs/ KBs right? Or those will remain? Wont those newer items block the Older Media update/ install?
 
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