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:
Great... well is it possible to back up all game folders and put the files back in the original place? (sorry for all the questions)

Infact, would uninstalling recent updates fix my keyboard issue?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
Q1) Not that I'm aware of.

Q2) It may or may not depending on what was wrong with the keyboard. It won't hurt to try though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Sorry about that. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Looks like it's time for a clean install instead. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Apologies for naivete about Windows.

I originally had a 32-bit XP Pro installation. When I decided to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro I used the retail 64-bit installation disk to switch my system to 64-bit mode. That worked fine and my system was then 64-bit Windows 8 Pro. When the upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro was offered I performed that via the Store. That also went fine and I currently have a 64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro system.

When I display system information the OS is always "Windows 8.1 Pro" regardless the application (or uSoft built-in) I use to see that info.

Nowhere is the word "Upgrade" or "Update".

Reading THIS tutorial it says, for example:

If you have Windows 8.1 Update installed, then you must use a Windows 8.1 Update ISO.

(1) Given the above way I got my current OS, do I have Windows 8.1 Update or plain old Windows 8.1?

(2) The Media Creation Tool that I used to create a 64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro ISO had no options mentioning anything about "Update" or "Upgrade". If my installation is indeed Windows 8.1 Pro Update where do I get the (64-bit) Windows 8.1 Pro Update ISO?

Post-post additional question:

(3) Where in the mounted ISO is the information about what type of ISO it is? That is, is there a string or number or something in a file or somewhere on the ISO that designates what type of ISO it is?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10, various Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
If you have windows 8.1 Pro
Update or Upgrade = not an issue...

The formatting of your response continues the ambiguity - the instructions in this tutorial, 1st page, mention Windows 8.1 AND Windows 8.1 Update, suggesting that they are indeed different and require different ways to repair. The instructions then go on and mention the Pro versions as an aside, suggesting they're just like the nonPro versions. But there is no clear explanation what the instructions mean about the Update versions of either the installed OS or ISO OS; certainly the instructions do NOT say "Pro versions are never considered Update versions" or anything like that.

Your answer is appreciated, BTW, but folks like me need maximum handholding; the instructions are fairly specific with Update words which your answer essentially says "Ignore those words - you're good to go". That's what I hope is valid, what I thought was valid, but really would like the instructions themselves clarified about Windows 8/Windows 8.1/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8.1 Pro etc etc etc - maybe something as simple as a statement like "All further uses of the word Windows will mean any of Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Pro. Furthermore, if you are repairing a Pro version then you do not need an Update ISO - just use the regular ISO" or whatever.

Again, thanks for the reply - all replies are always appreciated completely.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10, various Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
Hello Brokensoftware,

The difference between Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update is the later is more up to date. Think of it as the same as comparing Windows 7 and Windows 7 with SP1. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello Brokensoftware,

The difference between Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update is the later is more up to date. Think of it as the same as comparing Windows 7 and Windows 7 with SP1. :)

Ahhh...okay - I was taking "Update" to mean the fact that 8.1 was the Store-sourced "update" to Windows 8 rather than an installation that came from, say, an 8.1 retail disk directly.

Instead, the definition as used in the instructions means "You have to use an ISO (or whatever) that is no older than your existing installation that needs to be repaired".

Thanks very much - all is (I think!) clear now.

====

Post=post edit:

Looking at the information from the ISO file(s) that I used the Media Creation Tool to create just a couple days ago, it says the "install.esd" (minimally) was "Created : 11/21/2014 - 1:07:26 PM". Can we assume the Media Creation Tool actually creates ISO's (etc) that are the latest (newest) so meet the needs of these instructions at the time the MCT is run?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10, various Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10, various Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
Post=post edit:

Looking at the information from the ISO file(s) that I used the Media Creation Tool to create just a couple days ago, it says the "install.esd" (minimally) was "Created : 11/21/2014 - 1:07:26 PM". Can we assume the Media Creation Tool actually creates ISO's (etc) that are the latest (newest) so meet the needs of these instructions at the time the MCT is run?

Microsoft does keep the ISO files downloaded from the tool updated, but it may take a while after a major update has been released before they are though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Microsoft does keep the ISO files downloaded from the tool updated, but it may take a while after a major update has been released before they are though.

Okay, so we should simply wait til things "settle down" before trying the repair instructions in this tutorial using an ISO (or whatever) that is created with the Media Creation Tool essentially the day we plan to follow this tutorial's instructions.

Thanks very much for the clarification(s).
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10, various Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
November is the newest updated release of windows 8.1 - has not changed in 9 months..

So to use setup media as a repair source - that is as good as it gets...

once you determine what files are being flagged as corrupt > we can move on < but somehow we still stuck at what /scanhealth reports as un-repairable files..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
November is the newest updated release of windows 8.1 - has not changed in 9 months..

So to use setup media as a repair source - that is as good as it gets...

Thanks for that comment - I had/have this crazy idea that a Windows ISO being created by the Media Creation Tool should not just be what was released in November, but what was released in November modified by the 5793 fixes Microsoft released between then and now.

Apparently, my naivete is shining through, huh?

If simply the BASELINE of the ISO needs to be the same or newer than the BASELINE of the to-be-repaired OS installation, it makes things a lot more straightforward than trying to anticipate Windows updates that come flying through regularly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10, various Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
Okay, I followed the tutorial steps that I had to follow (*) and, after a couple hours, had a "repaired" 64-bit 8.1 Pro OS. Looking over regular logs that existed I noticed a couple things (1) there were lots of errors and failures (for example, the Store apps are still giving errors in the event logs like:

Code:
The Appx operation 'RegisterPackageAsync' on 'Microsoft.ZuneVideo_2015.509.636.3316_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe' failed for user '[I]myemail@myisp.com[/I]' - error 0x8007064A: Cannot register the request because the following error was encountered while initializing the windows.repositoryExtension extension: The configuration data for this product is corrupt. Contact your support personnel.
.. (Error: Package could not be registered.)

and (2) at least the DISM log was weirdly different looking - perhaps a remnant of the repair rather than "new" format - here's a small sample:

Code:
...[1792] ImageUnmarshallHandle: Reconstituting wim at \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2\Recovery\WindowsRE\Winre.wim.
[1688] Received unmount request for image with guid 2940a068-25e9-4619-8a34-8e8c72b63625.
[1688] Unmount for image at C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\e1845a69-8ec7-4a0e-a8d9-f929182e6912 complete.
〲㔱〭ⴹ㌰ㄠ㨰㔱㌺ⰳ䤠普††††††††䐠卉⁍†䥐㵄㜱㈹吠䑉㠽㠲吠浥潰慲楲祬猠瑥楴杮琠敨猠牣瑡档搠物捥潴祲*桔獩洠祡戠⁥癯牥楲摤**䑃卉

And, yes, those are Chinese characters and they continue for thousands of characters at the end of the dism.log - note, however, that the regular English entries are not as expected, either, not having timestamps, for example.

Okay enough with that.

More importantly and noted just above the "pink" tutorial instructions...there are now 147 updates to install.

Gack.

So...is there a list somewhere about 64-bit 8.1 Pro updates that are suggested NOT to install? You know, like the KB3035583 Recommended update, etc.

If not, it's gonna be a rather long rest of the week recovering as I figure out which updates aren't necessary or perhaps not desirable.

====

(*) The repair install wasn't totally like the described repair install of the tutorial - for example, there was no request to input a Product Key at all nor was there a licensing agreement. Checking after all was said and done says this system is an activated Windows 8.1 Pro as it should be. It should be noted that the Windows.ISO file being used was created with the Media Creation Tool yesterday so perhaps the dialogs presented have been changed since the tutorial was written (for example, the Express Settings dialog had a considerably longer list than the one here in the tutorial).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10, various Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
Has anyone been successful using this procedure to perform a non-destructive reinstall (NDR) from within an OEM Windows install? I believe a factory install DVD or an ISO file (DVD or USB drive) is needed to fix damaged or missing files.

The first time I tried this with a USB created with Microsoft Media Creation Tool it was apparently successful but upon running a malware scan, problems returned. Malwarebytes may have tagged a good file or files and I inadvertently deleted them.

When I tried again, I got numerous hangs when reaching the "Making sure you're ready to install" or else it takes hours and not minutes to complete this step. Just recently after waiting around 6-8 hours, the repair install finally started but does not appear to be successful.....Windows Explorer still does not operate properly, the icon for the Start menu in the system tray still does not work properly, and Restart and Shutdown still do not work (I have to manually shut down by killing power).

I have made the USB ISO media twice (to verify it works and was not the problem...it isn't) and I am running the setup.exe as an administrator.

BTW, I was never prompted for a license key, so apparently the embedded OEM key will work. And there are generic keys Microsoft provides when running this procedure, but since I'm not prompted I have no idea how to enter it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Home 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    AMD
    Memory
    16 Gb
    Browser
    ie 11/firefoc v 40
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
Hummm

Ok I have read this many times over and over...........because I was told there was no way to do this.

I have many third party programs on my computer that take a lot of time away from me to reinstall, for some reason I find myself having to reinstall windows every 6 months due " certain people " in my family that don't understand that they cant press on every " DOWNLOAD THIS and FREE GAME " button they see...........:eek:

So can one or many please confirm IF I do the above correctly.....then it will only reinstall windows system files basically and for the most part repair any windows problems / system files? WITHOUT having to reinstall any of the many third party programs ?

Thanks in advance........

Scott
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-intel 5960
    Motherboard
    Asus X99 Deluxe 3.1
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 3000mhz 32G
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Nvidia Geforce Titan Z
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek sound System
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 4k Curved monitor
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD M2 950 Pro 512G, 2 WD RED HDD in raid 5 , Samsung 850 SSD 512G backup OS
    PSU
    80 plus Gold 1500w PSU
    Case
    Alienware Area 51 R2
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro Series H110i GT High Performance Water / Liquid CPU Cooler with 5 LED High static fans
    Keyboard
    Alienware Tactx Keyboard
    Mouse
    Alienware Tactx mouse
    Internet Speed
    340 down / 23 up TWC
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WIndows Defender / SuperAnit virus
    Other Info
    Bose surround system speakers
Hello Scott, :)

Yes, a repair install will not remove any of your programs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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