If your Windows 7 computer is experiencing startup issues or other problems, you may be able to repair it without the need for a CD or DVD. The built-in Startup Repair tool in Windows 7 can often resolve common issues that prevent the operating system from booting properly.
Accessing Startup Repair in Windows 7
Using Advanced Boot Options
If your Windows 7 computer doesn’t display the Windows Error Recovery screen, you can manually access the Startup Repair tool by following these steps:
Start the computer.
Press and hold the F8 key before the Windows 7 logo appears.
At the Advanced Boot Options screen, select “Repair Your Computer” and press Enter.
In the System Recovery Options window, choose “Startup Repair” and follow the on-screen instructions to begin the repair process.
Creating a Bootable USB Drive
If the Startup Repair option is not available or you don’t have access to the Advanced Boot Options, you can create a bootable Windows 7 USB drive to use for the repair process:
Download the Windows 7 ISO file from Microsoft.
Download and install the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.
Insert a USB drive and use the tool to create a bootable Windows 7 USB drive.
Boot your computer from the USB drive and select “Repair your computer” when prompted.
Choose “Startup Repair” from the System Recovery Options and follow the instructions to repair your Windows 7 installation.