How To Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Any Files

There are occasions when the Windows 10 computer keeps running into problems and stops working properly. This could be due to some program incompatibility, registry issue, virus attack, or anything else.

And the issue keeps appearing on your system, even after trying all the solutions available on the web. This is when you should just reinstall Windows 10.

There are a few methods where you can protect your files and folders while reinstalling Windows 10.

Various Ways To Reinstall Windows 10 and Not Lose Any Files:

1. Using Bootable Windows 10 DVD or USB

This method to reinstall your Windows 10 can only be opted for if your PC is in bootable condition otherwise this method can't be executed.

• First, you have to connect your bootable Windows 10 USB or a bootable DVD to the optical drive.
• To open it, click on This PC and right-click on the USB or DVD drive. After this, just click on the "Open in new window" option.
• You will find the Setup.exe file here, on which you have to double-click and then click Yes when the User Account Control dialogue box appears.

• Then you will get these two options on the Get important updates window:
• • Download and install updates (recommended)
  • Not right now

• It is recommended to select the first radio button present along with the Download and install updates (recommended) if your computer is connected with the working internet connection.

• Or, you could skip sending unknown data to Microsoft about the installation process by unchecking the box labelled I want to help make the installation of Windows better.
• Click on the Next button after you choose an option.
• The windows setup will initiate checking for the available updates after you click on the Next button. But this screen won't appear if you have selected Not right now.

• Keep waiting until the process is done as the update checking process might take more than 10 minutes.
• Then you have to click on Accept on the License Terms window that appears on the screen.

• The setup will now start downloading the available updates.

• Next, you get the "Making sure you are ready to install" window in this step. This will check if your PC is capable to run Windows 10, required space and other things of the same kind.
• Another window will now appear called “Choose what to keep” or “Ready to install”.
• You have to change some settings at this point. Just select "Keep personal files only" on the link named "Change what to keep".

• The “Choose what to keep” window appears with the following three options.
  • Keep personal files and apps
  • Keep personal files only
  • Nothing
• We have to choose either the first option “Keep personal files and apps” or go with the “Keep personal files only” option as our main task here is to reinstall Windows 10 without deleting your files. After this, click on the Next button.
• Then you will see the Install button on the Ready to install window.
• Now, to start the reinstallation of Windows 10, you have to click on the Install button. Your PC might reboot a few times during this process.

• Select your country, language, time zone and keyboard layout after completing the installation process.
• Click on "Customize settings" link on another screen, instead of "Use Express Settings" button as this will allow you to modify the default privacy settings.
• You have to sign in using your Microsoft account here.

2. Via System Recovery Drive Trick

• You have to first connect your System Recovery Drive or the bootable OS recovery disc to your PC and boot the system.
• Then press any key to start the process as you see a message saying "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD".

• On the Windows Setup screen, choose Next to continue.

• Then, click on the Repair your computer link.

• Choose Troubleshoot here.

• Select Reinstall Windows 10 with this media option at the Troubleshoot screen,
• Then choose the target operating system as Windows 10.

• Then you will see the system getting ready for reinstallation.
• A screen will appear after this giving confirmation that all the personal files are kept as it is while the system files may experience modifications. After this click on the Install button.
• The reinstallation process will begin after this and after the reinstallation is done, the system will try to restart. You can restart your PC manually if it fails to reboot by itself.

• You will get Restoring your previous version of Windows… screen after restarting. You can then log into your system normally and make the essential adjustments to boot newly re-installed Windows.

3. Using Repair Upgrade Method

You can go with this method if you are able to boot your system normally.

• You have to first download the latest Windows 10 installation ISO file or the Windows Media Creating tool and use it to create an installation ISO.
• By double-clicking on it, you can mount the ISO file and now, at the root folder, you have to run the Setup.exe file.
• Then you will see that the Windows 10 Setup is ready to install.

Note: You can now download the available download or your could skip this process.

• Click on the Change what to keep in this window.
• You can then select the Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings option or choose to Keep personal files only option based on your need.

• To start the reinstallation process click on the Next button.

You have to be patient in this process as it will take some time and your PC will restart several times.

4. Refresh Windows 10 Without Losing Files

You can reset the PC and fix system problems by reinstalling Windows 10 using the refresh feature. You can select whether to keep your personal or not while executing this process:

• Click on the Settings icon on the Windows Start button.
• Then, click on Update & Security.

• Located in the left pane of the window, now select the Recovery option.
• Click on the Get Started button under the Reset this PC section.
• Then, choose the Keep my files option on the window.

• Click on the Next button.
• Then, click on the Reset button and the Windows 10 reinstallation process will start.

5. From DVD or USB Not Formatting the System Drive

This method is the same as the installation of the fresh OS but it is a little trick as here we will avoid the formatting option.

All the previous data thus get stored in a folder called "Windows.old". The users who are unable to boot their PC can use this method and formatting is their last hope.

This is how you can reinstall Windows 10 from USB or DVD without formatting the System Drive:

• Boot from your installation media (Pendrive or disc).
• As the Windows loads, choose the language and keyword.
• Simply select the C:drive at the Setup Window and click on Next to proceed.

Note: Make sure that you don't format the drive.

• To complete the installation process, now follow the Setup wizard carefully.
• After the installation process is completed, you can find a folder called Windows.old in the root directory of C:drive. All of your files are saved in this folder.

• Save all your important files from Windows.old and then you can only erase this folder from the Disk Cleanup option.

Conclusion

These were the five major ways how you can reinstall Windows 10 on your PC without losing any data.

Let us know how your reinstallation process was in the comment box.

All the best!