Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

@chattycathy Did you try doing an inplace upgrade? You will not have to do a clean install of Windows to fix your Windows Update problem.

The repair feature you are talking about is very limited, and wouldn't fix your Windows Update issues anyway.

Here are links for Windows 7 ISOs.

 

I agree. I think it´s intended mainly to correct boot problems.

 

Yes, and Startup Repair often is not able to fix boot issues anyway.

 

Yes, I tried that also and it tells me the version I have installed is newer than the one I'm trying to install. That would be my luck to format and then it happen again and the repair feature not work like I was thinking it would. I just know in years past with other versions, my system would boot up, but I would be having problems and that would fix it. But, I don't ever remember having a problem with Windows Update before now and like I said, that would be my luck to do all of that and still not be any better off. I will try the ISO first. Thanks!

 

@chattycathy You need to download a Windows SP1 ISO, and use that to do the in-place upgrade. The reason for the message you are getting will be becuase you are using an upatched Windows 7 DVD.

 

roger _m, that link isn't working but I'm going to the Microsoft site it suggests to try it. I just had an idea. Years ago, I had Windows XP Professional installed on my old system and later, installed Service Pack 3. I couldn't do repair installation because of probably the same reason. I took my XP cd, and somehow used some utility or did something and combined it with the Service Pack 3 so I could do repair installations without getting errors. It has been so many years ago, I forgot what it was called and how to do it. Does anyone know what I'm talking about and how I did it. What ever it was, it worked! I'm willing to try it with this one too. It just clicked "slipstream" and I googled it and that seems like what I did. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I'm going to try that and then will try the iso.

 

It looks like I will have to format and install the HP junk after all. I checked into the streaming and it is a lot more complicated now. I tried to download an iso and unless I misunderstood, you have to download them from the Microsoft site now. I went there and gave them my product key, it tried to verify it and tells me that number has been used on another device. I just opened this version 2 days ago and haven't used it yet. The box looks original and I've never used it before. Does anyone know what is going on or another way to get an iso now? I'm about ready to say, "forget Windows Updates"!!!! Just did a search for this error and from what others were saying, it sounds like it could be possible that the reason my product key didn't work is because I was trying to download an iso. So before I use the HP recovery, I will try to install my retail version. I don't have anything to loose. Thanks everyone for trying to help me out. I am going to format now. I've run out of options.

 

@chattycathy If you haven't reformatted already, you can download Win 7 ISOs without a product key here.
http://mirror.corenoc.de/digitalrivercontent.net/

Did you try running the "Repair Windows Updates" repair in Tweaking.com's Windows Repair?

Although a clean install of Windows will fix your Windows Update issues, it can most definitely be fixed without doing a clean install.

 

Yes, I tried the Tweaking Windows Repair and it didn't help either.

Some of you asked for an update and here it is:
I tried to format and clean install with my Windows 7 disks, and got this message:
"windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk is of GPT partition style". I went online and tried to find a way to make it do it, but I never did. After that, I thought I would restore my March backup again, and this time, the Windows Update didn't work on it either. I thought that was strange because just a few days ago, it worked for a little while and THEN, it stopped but this time, it wouldn't work at all. I got suspicious. I wondered if the drive just needed a good formatting after all. So, I used the HP restore disk I have and had it to format and it installed all of the junk. The first time it booted up, I couldn't stand all the junk. So, to make a long story shorter, I rebooted with my backup restore disk, and I went back to January of this year and restored it. This way, according to them, I only had 40 updates but it was really less than that after I hid some of them. As of just a few minutes ago, Windows Update is still working and I'm "keeping my fingers crossed". I am restoring my data files and then I will do a backup!!!!! Roger_m, if I download the iso file, could I use it as an re-installation and keeping my data and settings in the future if this happens again? If so, I'll do it now!!!! Also, I just looked at the link you gave me and I'm not sure which one I should get. I have Windows 7 Professional SP1 64 bit. If you don't mind, would you post the correct link to the one I need. I just want to make sure I get the right one!!!! Thank you and thank you to everyone for your help during this mess!!!!

 

Cathy,

Is the disk really GPT? Post a screenshot of Disk Management if you aren't sure.

 

Yes, you can use the ISO to do a in-place upgrade, which will fix Windows problems while leaving your data and install programs intact.

The file you need is en_windows_7_professional_x64_dvd_x15-65805.iso

If you click on the link, it downloads a torrent file, which you will need to open it with a torrent client (e.g. Tixati) to download the ISO. When I first visited the link recently, the downloads were for the actual ISOs and were not torrents, but they have changed the downloads since then.

 

I've been following this thread and I always want to ask ....

Does anyone know exactly how the Malicious Software Removal Tool works ?
What are it's targets ? .... What mechanisms does it use ?

There are some posts in various threads that blame it for random acts of vandalism , and it alarms me .
It has earned a place on my list of Updates that automatically get hidden , and not installed.
I'll probably regret this one day ,but until then I'm still going to ignore it ... at least until I have more info.

 

Disk Management shows it as "Simple Basic NTFS". I've attached a screen shot so you can check it out. I went online when I got this error and others were having the same problem but I never found a solution that I trusted. I didn't want to make a "bad situation worse".

 

Thank you roger_m, I'm going to download right now before Windows goes crazy again. Just thought of something, won't it refuse to install with this version? Service Pack 1 came installed on this computer. I didn't download it as an update. It isn't listed as an update. Don't I need one of these versions?
en_windows_7_professional_with_sp1_x64_dvd_621750.iso or
en_windows_7_professional_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676939.iso

Just thought I had better ask. I hate to download a version and then it refuse to work also. I hope I'm not making a pest of myself. If I am, I do apologize.

 

The disk has an EFI System partition so it is a GPT disk. This creates a challenge if you ever want to format the Win7 partition and reinstall Win7. The Win7 DVD has to be booted in UEFI mode with Secure Boot disabled in the UEFI/BIOS. I wouldn't do this as it is easier to convert the disk to MBR and do a conventional Win7 reinstall. You don't have a non OEM Win7 serial so it's not a good idea unless you can activate the new Win7.

 

Yes, I do have a retail "boxed" version of Windows 7 Professional which I have the serial number for. It is the retail boxed version with the serial number that gave me this error message. I purchased it so when I did have to format and start over, I wanted to install my version rather than the HP OEM version. This way, I could avoid all of the manufacturer junk. My computer came with the OEM version of Windows 7 Professional Service Pack 1 but I was going to install my purchased version and then update to the Service Pack 1. I have always did this with past operating systems and I was able to avoid all of the junk. I checked online and it sounds like many people are having the same problem and didn't know what to do about it. We spent money on this operating system and can't use it. I have Windows cds with a serial number I can't use. It's always worked in the past so who would have thought it wouldn't now?

 

Then it should be easy.

Make sure your computer can boot in Legacy MBR mode. (BIOS edit)

Boot from your Win7 DVD

Use Diskpart from a Command Prompt to "clean" the HD. Now you will have a MBR disk. It will no longer be GPT.

Install Win7 in the normal fashion.

 

Ok. Thank you! I wait about trying this because I've almost got my data restored now but I will take note of it and try it the next time. Thanks again!!!

 

JRViejo
Many thanks for taking the time to post those links ..... it's much appreciated !