Like all previous modifications of Windows, the tenth version, in spite of all its advantages, so diligently painted by Microsoft, still starts to slow down and crash over time, giving errors or even blue screens. And often it is not possible to fix such problems using standard methods.
Users immediately begin to think about reinstalling the system. At the same time, I want to save my own files and installed programs. Further in the article, we will consider how to reinstall Windows 10 without data loss. This option in the system is called "Start Again" or Fresh Start.
Basic methods for reinstalling the system while saving important data
It is immediately worth noting that it is not always advisable to perform the so-called clean installation, during which it is supposed to format the system partition (although this is the best way). For ordinary users, you can identify the three most acceptable options for actions that will allow the system to return to life, and not lose important files or installed programs:
- reset to the initial state by means of the system;
- return to initial settings using removable bootable media;
- Reinstallation from the distribution kit directly in the environment of a working system.
What do you need to do first?
Before considering all issues regarding how to reinstall Windows 10 with saving data and / or installed programs, it is important to worry about two things in advance. The first is about creating backup copies of files (overwriting them in logical partitions or other media), the second is about information regarding the activation of a particular software product. This is in case if during the reinstallation process the applications will not be saved, but they will have to be reinstalled.
What is it for? Do not flatter yourself especially about the fact that the system promises not to touch your data. You cannot completely insure against errors and failures. Therefore, it is better to follow a few additional steps, even if it takes a lot of time. But the important data will really remain safe and sound.
How to reinstall Windows 10 without data loss: standard method
Suppose that there is no time to create backups, and that the system must be returned to working condition immediately. How to reinstall Windows 10 without losing data in the simplest way, I think many have already guessed.
In the "top ten" for this there is a special tool to reset or return the computer to its original state. It corresponds to the one in which the system was immediately after a clean installation. You can get to the tool itself through the options menu, where the update and security section is selected, and then the transition to the recovery submenu is performed. Here, many users make a gross mistake by immediately clicking the start button for the reset process. When executed, absolutely everything is deleted!
It is strongly recommended that you click on the link marked in the image above, and only then press the start button and confirm the start of recovery.
However, it is worth considering (and the system immediately warns about this) that all programs, except those installed from the "Store", will be lost (personal files will remain untouched). If this option suits you, activate the reset and just follow the system prompts.
Reinstalling Windows 10 from a USB flash drive
But it also happens that it’s impossible to get to the tools described above only because the system may not boot at all. Speaking about how to reinstall Windows 10 without losing data in this case, we can advise you to start from bootable media with a distribution kit or recovery environment (for example, from a regular USB flash drive, on which you need to save an image in advance using either the native Media utility Creation Tool from Microsoft, or special programs like Rufus).
At the initial stage, as usual, you will need to select the language and region, and then proceed to restore the system by clicking on the link in the lower left. After a few menu moves, go to the reset point and activate it, after which at one of the stages you will be offered several rollback options:
- with saving files and programs;
- with saving only files;
- without saving data.
Choose the required action from the first two points and confirm the start of the system reset.
Reinstall Windows 10 from a system environment
Finally, if the system itself is in a more or less operational state, you can use special boot options to perform the operations described in the previous solution. However, if you have a flash drive with the distribution kit, you can simply connect it to the computer, after which all actions will be performed based on the files present on it.
Note: if your image file is saved on your hard drive, double-click to mount the virtual drive.
How to reinstall Windows 10 on a computer with a working OS? Just run the Setup.exe file as administrator and follow the instructions of the "Wizard". It is better to agree with the proposal to install updates. If this step is skipped, updates will still be installed on the working system anyway, whether you like it or not (even if all services responsible for automatic updates are completely disabled). Finally, after accepting the agreement and verifying the readiness for installation, click on the link to change the components selected for saving, and then in the window that should have appeared in the previous case, check the box. Then press the start button, and then the standard Windows installation procedure starts.
Note: if the system was activated before the reinstallation, it is not necessary to perform activation again.