How To Repair A Windows 10 Upgrade Installation Without Destroying Data

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How to reinstall Windows 10 without losing information

Reinstalling Windows 10 can wipe your system clean; here's how to keep your files intact

When your PC suffers a fault and every fix fails, a frequent catholicon is to reset your PC. This can also apply to operating systems, including Windows ten.

If you keep running into blue screen of death (BSOD) errors, or your PC is noticeably slower or hangs indefinitely, reinstalling Windows x is a condom bet to mitigate downtime and loss of work. Reinstalling Windows x may also contrary a faulty update, security patch, or driver installation or update.

Microsoft eases the resetting process with the option to retain existing data during reinstallation.

In this guide, nosotros'll explicate how to reinstall Windows 10 and reset your reckoner to its default settings without losing data, including of import files, personal data, and programs.

How to factory reset Windows ten without losing data

Microsoft offers three processes for resetting Windows 10 without losing the existing data on the arrangement. You can choose either process and attain the same results.

Method 1: Using the "Reset this PC" pick

To reset your Windows 10 PC using the "Reset this PC" option, use the following steps:

Right-click on the Windows start button on the bottom left-paw corner of the screen to open the settings carte.
Click "Settings."
Click on "Update & Security."
In the left pane, select "Recovery."
Nether"Reset this PC," click "Go started."
Cull the "Go along my files" selection in the popup message. Keep in mind, later on this stride, your device will update to the latest Windows 10 version.
If you lot are upgrading your PC from a previous version of Windows to Windows ten, you will see a warning message stating that you won't be able to disengage the upgrade or rollback to the previous version of Windows. Click "Next" to go along.
Click the "Reset" push in the "Set to reset this PC" interface. Your PC will reboot and begin to reinstall Windows x.

Notation: The "Reset this PC" feature on Windows is arguably the fastest way to reset your PC. In that location is a caveat: "Reset this PC" allows you to keep files only. The reset will uninstall all user-installed apps and programs. To avoid missing out on pre-existing apps, drivers and programs, make sure you have backups of all your important information before scheduling a reset.

Method 2: Using the Advanced Startup bill of fare

To reinstall Windows 10 using the Advanced Startup option, use the post-obit steps

Click on the First push on the lower left-mitt corner of the screen.
Click the "Settings" on the left pane in the Start carte.
Click "Update & Security," then click "Recovery."
Click on the "Restart now" nether the "Avant-garde startup" section in the correct pane. Windows will restart into the Windows Recovery Surround (WinRE) fashion. Alternatively, pressing the 'F11' push as soon every bit you power on your PC will get yous to the Windows 10 Advanced Startup options. This technique is beneficial when you lot can't kicking your PC the usual manner.
Click "Troubleshoot" one time you enter WinRE mode.
Click "Reset this PC" in the post-obit screen, leading y'all to the reset organisation window.
Select "Proceed my files" and click "Next" so "Reset."
Click "Continue" when a popup appears and prompts you to continue reinstalling the Windows x operating system.

Notation: Similar method 1, you'll demand to have a backup of all your data before resetting, as Windows will only save your files and wipe out apps, drivers and programs during reinstallation.

Method 3: Using Windows 10 ISO image file

An ISO file, commonly known as ISO image, is an archive file that contains an identical re-create or paradigm of data establish on an optical disc, such as a CD or DVD. Information technology allows yous to reinstall Windows 10 and keep files given your computer is bootable.

Here are the steps you lot demand to follow to reinstall Windows 10 using ISO image:

Download Microsoft'due south media creation tool to create Windows x ISO file.
After downloading the newly-created ISO file, right-click on it and select "Mountain" to keep.
Double-click the Setup.exe file at the root directory.
Choose the right option when prompted to "Download and install updates." Choose the option if your calculator is connected to the internet. If not, select "Not correct now." Click "Adjacent" to continue.
Click on "Change what to keep" in the subsequent popup window.
Choose between: "Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings," "Go along personal files just," and "Nothing," according to your storage needs.
Click "Side by side" to install Windows ten.

Your PC will now reboot with the saved settings.

Restoring applications after reinstalling Windows x

In one case you've reinstalled Windows ten, it'due south time to restore applications.

Begin by verifying your account: Become to Showtime > Settings > Accounts > Your account and click the "Verify" link to get the code required to add your PC back into the saved accounts list. Once verified, log in to your Microsoft business relationship.

To restore previously installed apps:

Go to "Start" > "All Apps" > "Shop."
Click on user (your) photograph.
Select "My Library" on the left pane to access all previously installed apps.
Click the "Download" button next to the app(s) you wish to restore.

Terminal thoughts

Windows 10 reinstallation can take a while, depending on your cyberspace connexion and size of the files you cull to keep. Plugging your device into a power source will ensure a depression battery doesn't interrupt the process.

In situations where your PC is unable to boot, a recovery drive that stores a copy of your Windows 10 environment on a hardware source, such as a DVD or USB bulldoze, tin help restore your apps, programs and settings.

Recovery drives are also useful when you're unable to access the Windows desktop to reinstall or troubleshoot your device. Timely backup of information can as well show helpful in easing the reinstallation process.

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