Windows 10 'Repair Install'

Question

I have a Dell XPS 15 9570.

Several Microsoft related applications appear to be corrupted.

- Calculator doesn't start

- Microsoft Store doesn't start

I have tried multiple suggestions from the web to fix this issue but none have worked

- Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}

- sfc /scannow

- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

I found information about doing a Windows 10 Repair Install which will reinstall windows without wiping out my existing applications.

Used Dell OS Recovery Tool to get a full Windows 10 image on my USB drive. Followed the instructions in the Repair Install link. I made sure to disable Bitlocker and Secure Boot.

I am currently stuck at the following screen saying it can't validate my product key.

I am able to retrieve my product key using

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

I am not sure how to get past this point. Why is the Dell version of Windows 10 not able to recognize that my Dell XPS 15 has a legitimate copy of Windows?

PotOdds · Accepted Answer

I was able to repair install successfully.

Following link, Media creation tool hangs downloading Windows 10, Progress 0% provides an alternative site to obtain the ISO image for Windows 10 Home 64 bit. I downloaded 19H2 build 18363.418 as it seems the closest one to my version. Following the steps detailed in my prior post with using Repair Install. Everything went smoothly. Calc and Microsoft Store app now run fine. My existing applications were not affected.

Thanks to all for your help.

bacillus1 · Answer

What version of win 10 do you have, home or pro, as I'm wondering if you got the wrong iso image.

If all else fails, you could download the media creation tool from Microsoft and use the downloaded image to do the repair install.

Tesla1856 · Answer

Backup your data.

Be sure machine passes ePSA. Especially, make sure your main SSD is good (SMART reports good).

" Diskpart clean" your drive to remove all partitions.

Clean-install Windows-10.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Aurora-R7-M-2-NVMe-bootable-options/m-p/6073081/highlight/true#M3401

If that doesn't install, work, and Activate as genuine ... then you can start worrying.

PotOdds · Answer

Tesla1856,

I specifically wanted to use "Repair Install" since it was the least destructive fix I could find. I don't want to have to reinstall all my apps.

Repair install seems like a very simple straightforward way to refresh Windows 10. Not sure why it's not working for me. I'm thinking it has something to do with how Dell packages Windows 10 on their laptops?

PotOdds · Answer

bacillus1,

I have Windows 10 Home. Version 1909. OS Build 18363.900. Installed on 8/31/2019.

I used Dell OS Recovery to install the full version of Windows Home on my USB drive. So I would assume it knew what version of Windows 10 I needed.

I tried Microsoft media creation tool. Didn't work. Stalled during download. But I'm a little leery of using Media creation as I think it will try to install latest version of Windows Home. It seems Dell XPS 15 9570 are not even ready yet for the new Windows 10 Home 2004 version.

The repair install tutorial link mentioned that it will only work with the same version of Windows that is installed on the laptop.

Another thing, I was able to disable and decrypt Bitlocker. I thought only Windows 10 Pro had Bitlocker?

Tesla1856 · Answer

As you wish.

Just so you know ... Not all corrupt Windows installs are Repairable.

Microsoft also tells us ...

If your Windows install has been compromised, and the usual attempts to repair fail ... sometimes you just have to erase everything and start over ( with 100% perfect files ... helping to create a 100% working install).

But what do we know ... good luck with your way . easy and faster just has to be better, right ?

PotOdds · Answer

I believe it would work if I could get past the product key issue.

My 2nd option before a full rebuild is to see if the MS Home 2004 release would essentially reinstall files non-destructively. Not sure why Dell hasn't released it for XPS 15 yet.

XPS

Windows 10 "Repair Install"

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