Frank15
Member
- Local time
- 12:25 AM
- Posts
- 21
- OS
- Windows 11 Home
I’m thinking of the best ways to reinstall Windows when all other attempts to fix issues failed, when you want to avoid a wipe and reinstall that would require reinstalling apps and restoring user data.
A good option to try one after the other:
In-Place Upgrade > Windows Reset > Wipe and reinstall
It’s best to first do a backup of the full system drive, or at least of all the user data.
IN-PLACE UPGRADE:
Reinstalls only the OS, while keeping apps, and user data
As explained here:
Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial
there’s one for W10 too, basically the same.
Caveat: needs to be started from within the OS, so you have to be able to log in.
WINDOWS RESET/KEEPING DATA:
If the In-Place Upgrade didn’t fix the issue, you can try a Windows Reset and choose to keep user’s data. This way you won’t have to backup and restore the data manually. This will reinstall the OS, while removing third party apps and resetting settings to defaults.
It can be started from within the OS or within Windows RE.
WINDOWS RESET/REMOVE USER DATA: don’t keep user data. This reinstalls Windows, removes 3rd party apps, resets settings to defaults.
WIPE AND REINSTALL: make a bootable thumbdrive with an installer of Windows (just google how to, it’s easy) and boot your PC from it. This will format the system drive and reinstall Windows, and will also reinstall the hidden partitions boot and EFI partitions.
I’d appreciate opinions.
A good option to try one after the other:
In-Place Upgrade > Windows Reset > Wipe and reinstall
It’s best to first do a backup of the full system drive, or at least of all the user data.
IN-PLACE UPGRADE:
Reinstalls only the OS, while keeping apps, and user data
As explained here:
Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial
there’s one for W10 too, basically the same.
Caveat: needs to be started from within the OS, so you have to be able to log in.
WINDOWS RESET/KEEPING DATA:
If the In-Place Upgrade didn’t fix the issue, you can try a Windows Reset and choose to keep user’s data. This way you won’t have to backup and restore the data manually. This will reinstall the OS, while removing third party apps and resetting settings to defaults.
It can be started from within the OS or within Windows RE.
WINDOWS RESET/REMOVE USER DATA: don’t keep user data. This reinstalls Windows, removes 3rd party apps, resets settings to defaults.
WIPE AND REINSTALL: make a bootable thumbdrive with an installer of Windows (just google how to, it’s easy) and boot your PC from it. This will format the system drive and reinstall Windows, and will also reinstall the hidden partitions boot and EFI partitions.
I’d appreciate opinions.
My Computer
System One
-
- OS
- Windows 11 Home
- Computer type
- PC/Desktop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Gigabyte B550M DS3H