How to Use a System Repair Disc to Restore Windows 7

If your install of Windows 7 won’t boot or has started giving you problems and you are thinking of reinstalling. Think again, you may only need to use the System Repair Disc to fix the problems. This will definitely save you a lot of trouble and may also save your data and user settings. Windows System Repair Disc is designed to rescue your system and lets you boot Windows when everything else fails. It provides several options for repairing the failing system and revive it.

For this to work, you either need the original Windows installation DVD or better if you have already created the system repair disc (see our article on creating a system repair disk in Windows 7). If you can’t create a repair disk, you can download one (see our article on downloading a system repair disk for Windows 7 or Vista).

If you don’t create one, you limit your recovery options as the recovery disk that came with your computer is not the same as this disk. This repair disk will not reinstall Windows 7 and it won’t reformat your computer and just provides access to Windows’ built-in recovery tools.

Use a System Repair Disc to Restore Windows 7

  • Insert the System Repair disc in the DVD drive and restart the computer.
  • For just a few seconds, the screen displays Press any key to boot from CD or DVD. Press any key to boot from the disk.
    If you aren’t quick enough, you’ll have to restart the computer again.
  • Enter into the Windows Setup .
    windows setup ems enabled
  • When System Recover is finished searching for Windows installations, click Next.
    windows system repair options
  • Choose Use Recovery Tools That Can Help Fix Problems Starting Windows. Click Next.
  • Windows will offer several tools that you can use to repair your system, including using the system image, if you have one available. Choose from different recovery options to help you get your machine back up and running.
    system recovery options

Recommendation: Try to revive your computer by using the first three options in the order listed, restarting after each one.

Exactly What Each Windows Recovery Options Do?

Startup Repair: This option automatically fix common problems that are preventing Windows from starting properly.
System Restore: It helps you Restore Windows to an earlier time. Choose this option if Windows 7 starts, but due to some change since a recent installation or update it is not working properly. You’ll pick a restore point based on date and time (start choosing the most recent). Note: Using this option you may lose recent program changes, but not your data.
System Image Recovery: Recover your computer using a system image you created during a backup. Choose this option if the first two don’t fix a problem and you have a relatively recent system image.
Note: With System Image Recovery, you will lose data created or changed since the image was created, unless you have that data on a separate device, such as a portable flash drive.
Windows Memory Diagnostic: Check your computer for memory hardware errors. This diagnostic tool won’t do any damage and might uncover the reason your PC hangs, freezes, or crashes.
Command Prompt: Open a command prompt window. Mostly used for advanced recovery or by advanced users. Use this if you’re familiar with typing commands at a prompt.

After using any of these tools, click Restart to see if it worked else click on the Shut Down button if you’ve had enough.

Note: Windows Vista Repair options are very similar to Windows 7, so if you are a Vista user, you can use this as reference.

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