Repair Install Windows 8

How to Repair Install Windows 8 and 8.1 without Losing Anything​

   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

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

• 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

• The DVD/USB 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 DVD/USB.
• If you have Windows 8.1 installed, then you must use a Windows 8.1 DVD/USB.
• If you have Windows 8.1 Update installed, then you must use a Windows 8.1 Update DVD/USB.
• If you have 32-bit Windows 8 installed, then you can only use a 32-bit Windows 8 DVD/USB.
• If you have 64-bit Windows 8 installed, then you can only use a 64-bit Windows 8 DVD/USB.
• If you installed 64-bit Windows 8 with UEFI, then you can only use a UEFI Windows 8 DVD/USB.

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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

• 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.

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A) Mount the ISO.​

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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)

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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)

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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.

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

   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

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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)

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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)

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

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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)

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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)

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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.

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

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18. Click/tap on Use Express settings. (see screenshot below)

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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

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A) Go to step 22 below.​

21. If you have a Local Account

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A) Enter the password for the displayed account, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

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B) Click/tap on Skip, and go to step 22 below. (see screenshot below)​

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22. Windows 8 will now startup signed into your administrator account. (see screenshots below)

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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)

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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)

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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

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Refresh Windows 8
• How to Create a Custom Recovery Image to Use to Refresh Windows 8
• How to Reset Windows 8
• How to Refresh or Reset Windows 8 without Installation Disk
• How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8
• How to Do a Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade
• How to Install Windows 8 Using "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface" (UEFI)
• How to Create a System Image in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Do a System Image Recovery in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Do a System Restore in Windows 8
• How to Create or Set Up Windows Backup to Back Up Files in Windows 8
• How to Fix "You've been signed in with a temporary profile" Error in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Fix "User Profile Service service failed the sign-in. User Profile cannot be loaded." Error in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[simrick]

hi there. i've tried to do the repair install and it just won't work...

i have tried installing within windows 8 pro 64 bit (i removed media center pack) from the dvd and usb drive in my user account as well as a clean new user account i created (admin rights enabled) and every time i press the install button it goes to the initial screen and about 20-30 seconds later a window pops up saying "windows installation failed".

i am currently trying to install using an iso but i doubt it'll make a difference.

any suggestions?

Probably need to remove all windows updates as well.

 

[chun96]

Installed Windows Updates will be removed.

Every Windows Update? Does this mean that my Windows (example 8.1) will be reverted to its original RTM state?

 

[Brink]

Installed Windows Updates will be removed.

Every Windows Update? Does this mean that my Windows (example 8.1) will be reverted to its original RTM state?

Hello Chun,

No. The update to from 8 to 8.1 is an OS upgrade and not a Windows Update.

Since you would need to do a repair install with Windows 8.1 installation media, you would still have Windows 8.1 when finished.

 

[chun96]

Hello Chun,

No. The update to from 8 to 8.1 is an OS upgrade and not a Windows Update.

Since you would need to do a repair install with Windows 8.1 installation media, you would still have Windows 8.1 when finished.

What I meant is will my Windows 8.1 with Windows updates installed be reverted to its original Windows 8.1 RTM stage?

 

[Brink]

Ah, ok. Yeah, all installed Windows Updates will be removed during a repair install. They'll have to be reinstalled again afterwards.

 

[tbonanno16]

Hi Brink,

Thanks for the great tutorial- you saved my PC!! There is a whole community of Win 8.1 users who have AMD graphics cards and have a major issue- the AMD Catalyst Center in Windows 8 or 8.1 corrupts the UAC in all accounts and certain admin rights become disabled. The repair install is the only way to fix it- thank you!!! I will be posting a link to this tutorial on the AMD forum.

 

[Brink]

Hello tbonanno, and welcome to Eight Forums.

I'm glad the tutorial was able to help.

 

[sygnus21]

OK, so I just tried to do a repair install and get to 55%, Windows reboots and tells me it couldn't install 8.1

Suggestions? I've got an 8.1 disk that I created from an ISO. And yes, it's the same version as the installed OS - 64-bit, Windows 8.1 pro. In fact, it was the disk used to initially install the OS.

Anyway I'm attempting a repair install due to issues posted here - http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/42908-strange-issues-coming-out-sleep-mode.html

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Drew,

A few things to check off the top of my head.

Do you have a 3rd party AV or firewall program installed that possibly didn't get disabled?

Did you add WMC? If so, then the installation media would no longer match.

Finally, to check the setup logs to see if it gives you more details for why the installation failed.

Windows Setup Log Files and Event Logs​

 

[sygnus21]

Dang, BINGO....

Did you add WMC? If so, then the installation media would no longer match.

Now what??? Man I don't want to do an OS reinstall

 

[Brink]

If you like and haven't already tried, you could try doing a system restore using a restore point dated before that issue started to try and undo it.

 

[sygnus21]

LOL, unfortunately that issue has been there for a while. Where it's been intermittent I've sort of been living with it. I've have been meaning to do a repair install with all the weird issues since installing 8, first IE issues, than little nagging issues here and there.

In fact I'm beginning to question my decision to install it as my main OS. I don't know, maybe I need to look at the entire system.

Anyway thanks.

 

[MartyvH]

I have Win8 Pro 64-bit OEM (system builder's licence that I bought along with my PC hardware). It's originally 8 and I upgraded to 8.1 in late November.

All of my virtual machines (Server 2012 R2 and Linux) in Hyper-V were working perfectly through 22nd December last year, but I haven't been able to start them since February because "the hypervisor is not running," even though it is. I just haven't had time to deal with this until now.

I have not made any changes in the UEFI since I built the system last July. I have uninstalled all Windows updates since December but no go.

So I tried to do a repair install as per the tut. I'm using an 8.1 x64 ISO (the instructions say 8.1 for 8.1). On C: there is 47.8GB used and 81.7GB free. I get this message after step 9:



"Learn more" takes you to the webpage with system requirements for Win8 and 8.1, but you can see my system specs below here....

This is so frustrating because I need those VMs working for college.

 

[Brink]

Hello Marty,

This error means that your system reserved "recovery" partition is running out of free space not allowing the repair install.

To solve this error, you'll need to either free up or add more space to the recovery partition. This will not be easy or recommended since you are using UEFI.

Another option, is to back up your VMs, do a clean install instead, and restore your VMs.

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

 

[MartyvH]

Hello Marty,

This error means that your system reserved "recovery" partition is running out of free space not allowing the repair install.

To solve this error, you'll need to either free up or add more space to the recovery partition. This will not be easy or recommended since you are using UEFI.

Another option, is to back up your VMs, do a clean install instead, and restore your VMs.

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

Thank you for your expert advice. This is an advanced issue that I found myself in and you bring it to the table.

There was a thread from someone else on the issue of "the hypervisor is not running" at TechNet where they did a repair install and it solved the problem for them, so I thought it might have been a bad update.

I recently acquired an 8.1 licence (free through my college's DreamSpark Premium subscription woohoo), so will clean install, although the unresolved issue of "the hypervisor is not running" will still be a spectre haunting it. All I can do is make an image at each stage when it's still working, which I didn't do this time.

Thanks again.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Marty. Please let us know how it went.

 

[lafargeotte]

I am trying to do the 'Repair install' but I only have my original Windows 8 Pro Key, so I am told that the key does not work.

How do I get round this please?

 

[genet]

I am trying to do the 'Repair install' but I only have my original Windows 8 Pro Key, so I am told that the key does not work.

How do I get round this please?

[DEL]You can't install Windows 8.1 with the Windows 8 product key.[/DEL]

edit: How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 -> link

 

[lafargeotte]

Thanks for the reply, but I should have said that I have tried Windows 8.1 Pro Keys (also just tried the one you posted) but I keep getting the same error "This key doesn't work with this edition of windows. Try a different key".

 

[Brink]

Hello Paul,

If you have Windows 8.1 Pro installed, are you using Windows 8.1 Pro installation media?

Do you add the Windows Media Center Pack? If so, that would change the product key, and a Windows 8 or 8.1 key would not work to activate it anymore.