Windows

How to Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Data

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If you have your system lagging, and you have tried everything possible. Or there is an error that you are trying to solve but cannot solve. Or the windows are not working as they should be working. You might want to reconsider if you would like to reinstall windows 10 without losing data.

There are many different ways to do the same work. You can do it through the factory reset of the windows. Now there are three types of factory resets available.

Table of Contents

1 Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Data
2 How to Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Data?
- 2.1 Using the Media Creation Tool
- 2.2 Creating a Bootable Drive
3 Conclusion

Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Data

Using the reset PC Option

This is the easiest and fastest method available to get the work done. Please make sure to have a backup of all the important data before doing the reset.

You need to click the windows’ start’ button present on the bottom left corner of the screen
Now click the “settings” button on the left pane of the start menu

Now, you need to find the update and security option.
From the left pane, click the recovery option
Click the get started option present under reset this pc.

Now, click on the Keep my files option and proceed ahead. (After this very step, your pc will be updated to the windows latest version.

If you get the message that “you won’t be able to undo the upgrade or roll back to the previous version,” just ignore it and proceed further with the update.
Click ‘next’ to continue. Now, a dialogue box stating reset your pc will appear, there you need to click the ‘Reset’ button. It will reboot and finish its install very easily.

Also, Check Out this Article “Windows 10 Shows Notifications, But There Are None?” | Quick Fixes

Using the Advanced Startup Menu

Here too, you need to take a backup of your important data. This method will help you reinstall Windows 10 without losing data and clean all the apps, drivers, and programs during the process.

You need to click the windows’ start’ button present on the bottom left corner of the screen.

Now click the ‘settings’ button on the left pane of the start menu. Look for the update and security option.
From the left pane, click the recovery option. Click the ‘restart’ button under the power advanced startup section present in the right pane.
Windows will now restart in the windows recovery environment mode (WinRE). Now press the F11 key that will open to the Windows Advanced Startup options. This is only beneficial when you have been unable to boot the pc the normal way.

Click troubleshoot once you enter the WinRE mode.
Click reset the pc in the following pane. This will take you ahead to the Reset System Window.

Select the keep your files option and click on the next and then on the reset button.

Click on the continue button as soon as any popup window appears and tell you to continue to reset and install the Windows operating system.

Using Windows10 ISO Image File

According to the website itpro.com, “An ISO file is commonly known as ISO image. An archive file stores an identical copy or image of data present in an optical disc (CD or DVD, for example). This will allow you to reinstall Windows 10 without losing data and keep files if your computer is bootable.”

You need to download Microsoft’s media creation tool to create the Windows10 ISO file.

Click mound to continue after downloading the newly created ISO file when you click the right button.
You need to double click the Setup.exe file at the root directory.

When you are prompted to download and install updates, you have to choose the correct option.

If your computer is not connected to the internet, choose the ‘not right now’ option. Then you need to click on the next to continue.
Select the “change what to keep” in the next popup window.
You get the option to choose between ‘keep personal files, apps, and windows settings’ and ‘keep personal files only’ and ‘nothing.’ Select whatever you desire according to your requirements. Click next to install Windows 10.

This will enable the system to reboot with the saved settings.

How to Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Data?

Before getting started, there are few things to keep in mind.

Using the Media Creation Tool

Make sure to back up your files to prevent loss of data. Check your PC’s specifications and ensure the required RAM, Disk Space, and processor are there. One of the best ways to reinstall Windows 10 without losing data.

Let’s Get started.

Go to the windows official site and download the media creation tool.
Install media creation tool on your PC. Click on the installation file.

In the installation process, you’ll be prompted with two options, Click on Upgrade this PC now.

The setup will download the windows 10 files required for the installation. Be patient; the download will take a few minutes, and the time taken depends on your internet connection speed.
Then select the Language, the version of Windows 10 you want to upgrade to, and the required architecture. (For example- Select English as the language and Windows 10 Pro with 64-Bit architecture.)

You will be prompted with License terms and conditions, go through them and “Accept” the terms. The Setup will check for any other Windows Updates and download the same.
You will be all set to reinstall Windows 10 without losing data and click on ” Choose what to keep,” and select Keep Personal files and apps. After continuing, you will be ready to install Windows 10.
Click on install. (After Clicking on install, you will no longer be able to use your PC.)

During the installation process, the PC will restart several times and may take few minutes to hours. (The time taken for installation depends on the specifications of the PC.)
You may see a blue screen showing the progress of the installation in percentage. The fresh Windows will then Boot.

You’ve now reinstall Windows 10 without losing data. Which may solve the potential errors, problems, missing files, restore corrupt system files, failed windows 10 updates, and upgrades.

Creating a Bootable Drive

Before getting started, You’ll need a 8GB or higher flash drive for this to work.

Go to the windows official site and download the media creation tool.

Install media creation tool on your PC. Click on the installation file.
In the installation process, you’ll be prompted with two options. Click on the second option. Create installation media for another PC.
Then select the Language, the version of Windows 10 you want to upgrade to, and the required architecture. (For example- Select English as the language and Windows 10 Pro with 64-Bit architecture.

The setup will prompt with Choosing which media to use. Select Flash drive.

Choose the flash drive and select the flash drive you want to copy the windows files.
And Click Next, windows will download the files and create a flash drive.

You are now ready to install windows on the PC with Corrupt files. Plugin the Flash drive into the PC and restart the PC.
Press the “F2 key” as soon as the windows bootup opens the boot settings. (if you cannot enter the boot settings, try pressing F1 or F8 keys as prompted on the screen after restarting).
In the boot menu, you will navigate with arrow keys and confirm or select an option with the enter key. Go to the Boot Section in the top menu.

And change the Boot menu type to “Advanced.”
Change boot Drive order to the Name of the flash drive. Press the F10 key to save and Press Y to save changes. This will help you to reinstall Windows 10 without losing data.
When you save the BIOS setting, the PC will automatically restart and press any key to boot from USB. To proceed, press any key on the keyboard.

Windows installation setup will run. Select the Language of installation, time and currency format, and keyboard input option. Click Next.
Enter the product key of the windows. If your PC came with genuine windows, the Setup will automatically detect the motherboard’s serial number and activate your windows.
Then select the Windows Operating System you want to install, and click next.

The license terms and conditions will be prompted to go through it and “Accept” the Terms and conditions. Then choose Custom Installation.
And select the partition on which you would like to install the windows. The installation will begin.
During the installation process, the PC will restart several times and may take few minutes to hours. (The time taken for installation depends on the specifications of the PC.)

You may see a blue screen showing the progress of the installation in percentage. The freshly installed Windows will then Boot.

Conclusion

And these are the two ways in which you can reinstall windows 10 without losing data and old files. Happy Computing!

Kaushal Malkan

You can always find me playing the piano or playing FIFA when I’m not binge-watching TV Series with pizzas. Fountainhead of TechWhoop.

Life motto: The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.