This wikiHow teaches you how to repair Windows 7 using the Startup Repair tool. If for some reason the Startup Repair tool cannot solve the problem, you can use the System Restore feature to restore Windows to a date when the operating system was still functioning properly. This article will walk you through both procedures. Read the steps below to get started.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using System Recovery Options
Step 1. Remove all external drives, CDs and/or DVDs from the computer
If your computer starts up but won't load Windows, you can use the built-in Startup Repair tool to repair the operating system. Start by removing or removing all removable media/devices.
Step 2. Press and hold the power button to turn off the computer
You can release your finger after the computer shuts down.
Step 3. Press and hold F8 while turning on the computer
Keep holding this key until Windows displays the “Advanced Boot Options” page.
If your computer has more than one operating system, you will need to select Windows 7 installation when prompted
Step 4. Select Repair your computer and press Enter.
Use the arrow keys to scroll through the selection and select the appropriate option.
If you don't see the option, see methods for using Windows 7 installation or recovery discs
Step 5. Select the language and click Next
System recovery options will be displayed.
Step 6. Click Startup Repair
The Startup Repair tool can scan for errors in the operating system and fix them automatically.
Step 7. Click Finish to repair and restart the computer
If Startup Repair managed to resolve the issue, the computer should now be able to load Windows 7 as normal.
Step 8. Perform a system restore if you still can't access Windows
If you see an error message indicating that the system cannot be repaired, follow these steps to perform a system restore:
- Turn on the computer while holding down the F8 key as before.
- Choose " Repair your computer ” and press Enter key.
- Select a language and click “ Next ”.
- Choose " System Restore ”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point according to the date or time when the operating system was still functioning properly.
Step 9. Perform a system restore if you are unable to repair the operating system
If you have a Windows 7 installation or recovery DVD, you can use it to reinstall Windows 7. Read the methods for using Windows 7 installation or recovery discs to learn how.
Method 2 of 2: Using Windows 7 Installation or Recovery Discs
Step 1. Insert the Windows 7 system installation or repair DVD
If your computer starts up but won't load Windows, you can use the Windows 7 installation DVD to repair the operating system. If you've ever created a system mount disc, you can use that disc.
If you don't have a Windows 7 DVD or system repair media, but can use a computer that has a DVD burning device, use that computer to create a new installation disc. Search and read the article on how to create recovery discs in Windows 7 to find out how. You need a Windows product key to use the disc. Usually, the code is displayed on a rainbow sticker on the PC
Step 2. Remove all external drives from the computer
This drive is a fast drive.
Step 3. Press and hold the power button to turn off the computer
You can release your finger after the computer shuts down.
Step 4. Press the power button to restart the computer
The PC will ask you to press a certain key to load the installation/repair disc.
Step 5. Press the button when prompted to load the installation or repair disc
You will see the message " Windows is loading files ".
If you are not prompted to load your computer from a DVD, you may need to access the BIOD and make the DVD drive the first choice in the loading order. Read the article on how to change your computer's BIOS settings to learn how to change the loading order
Step 6. Select the language and click Next
You will be taken to the "Install Windows" page if using the installation DVD, or the "System recovery options" page if using the repair disc.
Step 7. Click Repair your computer
The recovery tool will try to locate the Windows 7 installation on the computer.
Step 8. Select the Windows 7 installation and click Next
Step 9. Click Startup Repair
The Startup Repair tool will scan Windows for errors and fix them automatically.
Step 10. Click Finish to repair and restart the computer
If Startup Repair is successful in fixing the problem, your computer should be able to load Windows 7 at this stage.
Step 11. Perform a system restore if you still can't access Windows
If you see an error message indicating that the operating system cannot be repaired, follow these steps to perform a system restore:
- Restart the computer from the DVD as before.
- Select a language and click “ Repair your computer ”.
- Select installation and click " Next ”.
- Click " System Restore ”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point according to the date or time when the operating system was still functioning properly.
Step 12. Perform a system restore if you can't restore/restore Windows 7
If you can't repair your computer using the built-in tools, you'll usually need to perform a system restore. This procedure will empty the hard drive and reinstall Windows 7. To perform a restore:
- Restart the computer from the DVD and select the operating system.
- Click " System Image Recovery ” on the "System Recovery Options" page.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the operating system.
