Can I update Windows 7 from the Command Prompt?

Clarke,

You could install critical updates from the command prompt if you already have them downloaded and only if these updates don't use the Microsoft Installer which the majority use it. I presumed that is not the case since you cannot load windows successfully. When you say "I have tried all the other safe mode and repair options to no avail", are you talking about the F8 -> Repair your computer -> System Recovery Options -> System Repair (I left out the point where you need to log on to get to System Repair)? If you already tried that and you couldn't go back o undo your last changes, then you're out of luck. You could also try, but it's a long shot, to access the System Recovery Options by booting from your original Win7 DVD. Start here (Usually BIOS is already set to boot up to CD/DVD first so try skipping this step). Follow this next (Scroll down to Option 2).

If you already tried the System Repair, and still no joy, then Yes, you do have to reinstall.

Yes, there's a way to extract all your data. However, it's not an easy task because you will have to fish for all your data in all the different places that you saved it to and you will need external storage for your data. In the same System Recovery window, there's an option label Command Prompt.

• Plug in your external storage device (thumbdrive, hard drive).
• Turn on your computer
• Follow the steps to get to the System Recovery window.
• Once at his window, click on Command prompt.
• Type C: press enter.

Before doing the next steps, you have to make a decision: Do you want to make it easy for you and copy all the data in each profile or do you want to be selective and go fishing for the desire data? If you copy all data of each profile, you'll be done just by issuing one single command, but later you still have to fish for the data that you want. You will also need a large storage space to fit all this data. I will suggest to buy an external hard drive in case you have too much data to copy. If you selectively copy the desire data, you will have to locate the data and issue a command each time that you find some. Also, if you saved files to the root directory of the hard drive, you'll have to copy those files.

• Type cd users press enter.

The following command will copy all the data of all the users on your computer. If your computer has a CD drive, then the drive letter of your external drive is F:.

• Type xcopy *.* F:(This will take some time to complete).

If you want to be selective, do a cd foldername, dir, find the files and/or folders you want to copy, do an XCOPY nameoffileorfolder F:, and repeat. Keep track of where you are on the directory structure tobe successful. I will recommend to just copy everything inside the users folder. The selective approach is very time consuming.

Do not forget to mark my post as answered and/or helpful. I'm trying to build a good reputation here.