What's the best reinstall?

First of all. I am a novice. Do not understand computers very well/much. I see too many discussions and methods of creating a flash drive for a total recovery of Windows 11. My first question: When do we need a brand new re-installation? Any time in the past 10 years or so with Windows 10, the only time I ever had trouble, there was a MS cure. I was able to restore the entire system/or so I thought. But, I did have to go back and re-install all the goodies, such as Firefox, Foxit, etc. And I always thought that was the only way.
Now I read that there's something called ISO, and a multitude of other goodies. And that only confuses a novice. Why all these different ways? Is there a simple file or whatever that I can download to a flash drive/and what size, that could be simply stuck aside for the day that I might need it? And what are the odds that I will need it?
So my second and last question. Is there any such a thing that when I do have to use it, that it will retain all the stuff on my computer, INCLUDING Firefox, Foxit, etc.? Including the bookmarks, contacts, etc.?

You may wish to read about a repair install (also known as an upgrade-in-place). Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial

That can fix some errors, but not all. It permits you to retain all data and installed programs. (You might need to re-install some programs, but that's unusual.)

A clean install should give the best possible result, but it can be a lot more work. Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

If you wish to "recover" Windows, restoring from an image is a common means. One imaging software is Macrium Reflect. (I like, it, but my willingness to recommend it is becoming less because the paid version is going to a subscription model.) You ought to have the capability to do this, as a matter of course.

bobkn: You just totally confused me. You are way over my head. Mentioning Macrium Reflect. That's what I am saying I do NOT want. 3rd party.
And you mention "an image". This is totally alien to me. I have no idea what you are talking about.
K.I.S.S. I hate the word "Stupid". Humans are not stupid. We are ignorant. A guru is above that. You, bobkn, are also above that. But I sure am not. I am ignorant of what this is all about.
MS must have something better than that.
I do see where you mention "clean install windows 11 tutorial". And again, I don't want that. Most tutorials assume some intelligence. And I simply do not have "intelligence" about computers. And I would estimate that 50% or more of the public is like me.
All I'm asking for is something that I can download on a flash drive. Set aside. And have ready in an emergency when the PC goes totally berserk and I can't get it working. That "might" save the add ons, like Firefox, etc. When I did save my Windows 10, it was the MS method, already on the PC. It worked. But I had to go and re-install Firefox, Thunderbird, Foxit, etc. And that meant I lost all the bookmarks, contacts, etc. And I never did recover from that. I still have people that I have lost the email address for. And no way to get them back - unless they email me. And of course, when you change your own email address, that just burned the bridge!
As for a "total breakdown" - I ask how often that can happen? I ask if it's something that I should be worried/or concerned about?
Is this clear?

PennsyNut said:

So my second and last question. Is there any such a thing that when I do have to use it, that it will retain all the stuff on my computer, INCLUDING Firefox, Foxit, etc.? Including the bookmarks, contacts, etc.?

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Penny - I'm like you with so many options for getting back what seems to be lost or corrupted and your not a computer genius. You say you don't want a 3rd party option but when it comes down to crunch time my experience, tho limited is this. The 3rd party option is my "comfort" program, I know it's got my back. Just this week (difficulty downloading from NVidia's site - Difficulty downloading from nVidia's site) my system went wonky through no fault of my own. What ever happened I had lost my ability to continue using it and lost the things you (and I) seem to find so important. You said "as for a "total breakdown" I ask how often that can happen? - well it can happen when you least expect it. Reinstalling the OS ? - be it a clean or repair is not an option I prefer.

Macrium may have it's draw backs $'s and initial set up but that is a small price to pay for piece of mind when the computer gods are angry. I'll bet many others on this site will chime in like bobkn - I hope you can find a resolution that fits your needs. Best of luck ....

PennsyNut said:

All I'm asking for is something that I can download on a flash drive. Set aside. And have ready in an emergency when the PC goes totally berserk and I can't get it working.

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Option 2 (USB, not ISO) of the first solution you were given (Repair Install Tutorial) is exactly that.

BruceR: But I don't want a tutorial. I just want a download. That can be stored on a flash drive. And should the PC go kapoot. Just insert the flash drive and let it reinstall everything. No muss. No fuss.
(I took as look at the tutorial. And it gives 3 options. That is exactly what I don't like. I don't know how to choose which option. I simply don't understand. I might grab a 8GB flash drive and give it a try. But will that flash drive do all I want? see my comments below.)
My main concern is to not lose all the "itsy bitsy" things we have on the PC.
Like I said. When I did a W10 reinstall right on the PC/no flash drive, just MS and follow the instructions. I got W10 back. BUT: I had to reinstall Firefox, Thunderbird, Foxit, etc. And - I lost all the bookmarks and contacts, etc. So it was a deep loss to me. I still don't have all the contacts back that I used to have.
The loss of all that data was tragic. And now with W11, I assume I still have the MS protection, so am not overly worried. But if there's a flash drive download that will save "everything", it would be wise to have that in case of a real emergency.
(Another final thought. I do save as much as I can on flash drives, as backup. In fact, multiple copies. If one flash drive fails, there's another that is a backup of a backup. And two of those have downloads, so I can reinstall Firefox +. But I found it's better to just go online to get the latest version of Firefox +. And in either case, the bookmarks are gone. + being Thunderbird, Foxit and all those goodies.)

PennsyNut said:

bobkn: You just totally confused me. You are way over my head. Mentioning Macrium Reflect. That's what I am saying I do NOT want. 3rd party.
And you mention "an image". This is totally alien to me. I have no idea what you are talking about.
K.I.S.S. I hate the word "Stupid". Humans are not stupid. We are ignorant. A guru is above that. You, bobkn, are also above that. But I sure am not. I am ignorant of what this is all about.
MS must have something better than that.
I do see where you mention "clean install windows 11 tutorial". And again, I don't want that. Most tutorials assume some intelligence. And I simply do not have "intelligence" about computers. And I would estimate that 50% or more of the public is like me.
All I'm asking for is something that I can download on a flash drive. Set aside. And have ready in an emergency when the PC goes totally berserk and I can't get it working. That "might" save the add ons, like Firefox, etc. When I did save my Windows 10, it was the MS method, already on the PC. It worked. But I had to go and re-install Firefox, Thunderbird, Foxit, etc. And that meant I lost all the bookmarks, contacts, etc. And I never did recover from that. I still have people that I have lost the email address for. And no way to get them back - unless they email me. And of course, when you change your own email address, that just burned the bridge!
As for a "total breakdown" - I ask how often that can happen? I ask if it's something that I should be worried/or concerned about?
Is this clear?

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You seem to want to be able to restore Windows, without having to learn anything. There may be someone who can help you with that, but I can't.

I also use Thunderbird as my email client. One detail that probably isn't useful to you: it's possible to backup the email archive and account settings. The files live in C:\Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird. Substitute your username for (username). I found that it was possible to do that and avoid -re-downloading gigabytes of files. That was more important before I purged my archives: at one time, I had about 15GB of old mails. I pared it back to less than 4GB.

If you don't know what it means to image a drive or partition, it's a good thing to have. It has saved me a few times over the years. I haven't gone to the cloud-based backup that Microsoft is pushing, though.

From a very cynical me ...

I have never had much (any?) success with any of Windows' 3 Rs - repair, recover, restore

I have the philosophy that if something's gone wrong, and even it can "fixed" by one or more of R and/or R and/or R, there could (will?) always be something else sinister lurking in the wings, either caused by the initial problem, is ancillary to it, or that the initial problem is symptomatic of an otherwise failing system

Frequent imaging is an option (which I do), but the cynic in me still wonders whether the symptoms that eventually caused the problem weren't backed up in the previous image, or the one before that, or the one before that, or ....

Ultimately, me, I am a big fan of clean installs (depending of course on the degree of the initial problem)

@OP PennsyNut - you seem reticent to try any of the (valid) suggestions offered. It's not going to repair itself, there is no one-click quick fix. It's often said that owning/using a computer is no longer a passive endeavour, it's a continuous learning experience. If you fail to understand and accept that then you'll get less and less enjoyment and satisfaction from owning/using your computer.

Unfortunately does not exist the perfect magical tool without some degree of knowledge. I've got relatives asking for help when their computer has some glitches and want to be solved. They don't want a tutorial. But they also they aren't demanding a magical tool. Anyway I try my best to explain what is happening with the computer

MiguelAngel11 said:

Unfortunately does not exist the perfect magical tool

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Well, there is one .... it's called $$$$$ for someone else to solve the problem

@PennsyNut I apologize if I'm wrong, but it seems to me you don't have a clear understanding of all the recovery options available and what events might trigger your need to use such options. One needs to have some basic troubleshooting knowledge in order to use the right recovery option in the appropriate situation.

There are many scenarios that can happen that will require use of one of the various recovery options. Just to name a few: hardware failure/replacement, file corruption, corrupt drivers, detrimental affects of a windows update, virus/malware infection, files deleted in error, moving OS to new computer

Each of the recovery options that are available leave the recovered system in various states, depending on exactly how that particular option is designed to work.
Native recovery options from within Windows: system restore, system reset, repair install.

Available options outside of Windows are a clean install and , if the user is proactive and prepared in advance, a full system image which can be restored to have all Windows files, user files, drivers, user settings, and applications intact as of the date the image was made. Most of the people on this forum consider imaging with third party software to be the best and fastest method of recovery.

Firefox bookmarks can be backed up easily. Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file to back up or transfer bookmarks | Firefox Help

Thunderbird also has the option to backup all you Thunderbird settings which include you email account and address book

PennsyNut said:

As for a "total breakdown" - I ask how often that can happen? I ask if it's something that I should be worried/or concerned about?

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No one an answer that. It's like asking how often you will need to use your auto insurance. Hopefully never. But do you buy insurance because you are worried about having an accident or because you want to cover yourself for WHEN/ IF you need it because sooner or later you will.

I look at the regular images I make as being my computer's insurance. I don't have to worry. I'm covered. In all the years I've been doing it it has saved my bacon more than once.

In the address bar of Firefox, you can type about:support (or, alternatively, go to Help | More troubleshooting information), and, on the page that appears, click on the Open Folder button next to Profile Folder. It opens your Firefox profile folder in File Explorer. In this folder, Firefox bookmarks are stored in a file named places.sqlite so, you don't necessarily have to go through the extra effort of exporting bookmarks to an HTML file, as it also is possible to simply back up this file instead. A more in-depth explanation about Firefox profiles and about the various information stored in them can be found here:

As for backing up your Windows 11 PC how Microsoft recommends it,
It does have its limitations of course so, personally I don't use it.

For backing up, reliably, whole partitions (e.g., your Windows system partition) there exists no real easy way if you insist on using only the built-in features of Windows, unfortunately. Advanced (or semi-advanced...) Windows users can choose to use the DISM command for this specific purpose, but personally I don't like to use this method (even though I know that it works), as it too has its own unique set of limitations. The method that I prefer to use instead is the one that is as simple as possible IMO, but not simpler. (Those final 3 words are of critical importantance to me.) It involves using 3rd party tools (all of them free to download) and a USB flash drive, and also involves some time and willingness to learn how to use.

OK I think I've heard enough. Sorry if I am failing to grasp all this.
I know that to use a PC, one Must have some knowledge of the PC. And I've been using a PC for many years now. Remember W 3.1?
But even with all the years, I still am overwhelmed by all the technology.
I never could be a guru. I never will be able to do all the things necessary to "protect" my PC.
But I can only try and keep on trying to understand all this.
But what this whole experience on this thread has taught me is: When there are options, I must be able to pick and choose. And that's where I have the most trouble. Which option is best? Or: Which option should I use?
So, for now, I have enough info from y'all that I can try a few different ones and figure out the best one to keep - for me!
Thanks again!

PennsyNut said:

First of all. I am a novice. Do not understand computers very well/much. I see too many discussions and methods of creating a flash drive for a total recovery of Windows 11. My first question: When do we need a brand new re-installation?

Click to expand...

Couple of scenarios might require a complete reinstallation.
#1). Hard drive failure or a desire to just get a new hard drive. If you don't have an image based backup that you could put back, you would have to reinstall from scratch on a new drive.
#2). You have errors or problems you cannot work around and your box is really screwed up and you are ready to to throw in the towel and start over.
#3). You just want to start with a brand new squeeky clean setup.

PennsyNut said:

Now I read that there's something called ISO, and a multitude of other goodies. And that only confuses a novice. Why all these different ways?

Click to expand...

Well, years ago if you wanted a copy of Windows you "could" go to a store and buy a physical copy and you would likely have come home with a DVD that you could boot from to reinstall Windows on your computer.

Today, we can get an "ISO" which is nothing more than an image of that DVD that we can download and create our own DVD if we want. For those who use virtual machines, it's desireable to have an ISO file that you can boot from as a virtual drive to install to your VM.

We can also use the Windows Media Creation tool to create a USB key that we can use to install Windows. For many this is way more convenient as it's faster, and not all of us have optical drives (CD/DVD) in our new computers or laptops.

PennsyNut said:

Is there a simple file or whatever that I can download to a flash drive/and what size, that could be simply stuck aside for the day that I might need it? And what are the odds that I will need it?

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Yes, google search for Windows Media Creation tool. it should take you here: Create installation media for Windows - Microsoft Support.

You can download the link for the version of Windows you want, and you will get an option to create a bootable USB key or you could get an ISO file "if" you wanted that.

PennsyNut said:

So my second and last question. Is there any such a thing that when I do have to use it, that it will retain all the stuff on my computer, INCLUDING Firefox, Foxit, etc.? Including the bookmarks, contacts, etc.?

Click to expand...

Straight forward and built-in? The answer is no.

To accomplish this, you want some type of backup tool that can create an "image" of your computer. Typically you would save that image file to an external drive. Your backup tool will most likely have an option to create a recovery USB key. In the event you needed to restore that image you boot from that USB key, attach your external drive and restore your "image" to your drive. This would put it back exactly as it was the day you took the image.


I tried to keep my answers very straight-forward for you. I didn't want to overwhelm you with a wall of text.

PennsyNut said:

But even with all the years, I still am overwhelmed by all the technology.

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Well, keep in mind. Technology is always changing. And with internet forums and such, you can often find overwhelming amounts of information on how to do something. Everybody has their own unique situation which makes one method better or worse for them. And some of us will preach our way as gospel.

PennsyNut said:

I never could be a guru. I never will be able to do all the things necessary to "protect" my PC.
But I can only try and keep on trying to understand all this.

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It's a constant learning experience. But lots of what we discuss doesn't necessarily have to be learned to use, enjoy and support your own PC.

PennsyNut said:

But what this whole experience on this thread has taught me is: When there are options, I must be able to pick and choose. And that's where I have the most trouble. Which option is best? Or: Which option should I use?

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If there was a true "best" option, we would all use it. But there isn't a be-all end-all option that is truly best. Everything depends upon your needs, what you are installing to, and your unique requirements.

Only way you really learn what is best for you, is to actually go through it a few times. The old adage, practice makes perfect. Sounds like you have known enough to keep your system running and fixed up when problems occur.

I'm a systems engineer with 25+ years of professional experience supporting workstations and servers...and even I don't know all of the methods people do stuff around here. I know the ones I have used and work for me.

PennsyNut said:

So, for now, I have enough info from y'all that I can try a few different ones and figure out the best one to keep - for me!
Thanks again!

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You are always welcome. We are a friendly bunch.

It looks like I will do what is suggested. And since I'm paranoid. I will try to get an ISO and a USB.
"Yes, google search for Windows Media Creation tool. it should take you here: Create installation media for Windows - Microsoft Support.
You can download the link for the version of Windows you want, and you will get an option to create a bootable USB key or you could get an ISO file "if" you wanted that."
"Today, we can get an "ISO" which is nothing more than an image of that DVD that we can download and create our own DVD if we want."
And if I do that, I will have both a DVD and an USB.
Sounds like a doable for me.

PennsyNut said:

And if I do that, I will have both a DVD and an USB.
Sounds like a doable for me.

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Yes, that one tool (the windows media creation tool), give's you the ability to create both an ISO file (which can be used to make a physical DVD if you like), and an installable USB key (the way I would install Windows on a physical computer if I had to do it today).

The best re-install is the re-install that works best for you. Some prefer to use the proprietary software when they buy prebuilt (i.e. Dell, Acer, HP etc.). In this case you can usually opt for a factory reset. This is not always the case however. Microsoft's Media Creation tool generally works quite well and it will help you get rid of much of the adware that often comes with pre-built systems. Additionally, if you use an app such as Rufus you can trim off other unwanted parts of the software if you like, giving you an even more stream-lined, lighter install and, in some cases, may even help you to install an operating system on some of the more older, outdated PCs.

So much of what we do these days on PCs is hinged on user preference and I am inclined to agree that it's good to have options. There is a good deal to be said for flexibility. Keep us posted and let us know what worked best for you.

Sounds to me the OP is like my G'Pa (when I was a kid he got me into them but since I know more then he will ever) but I just watched videos and sites. OP I Feel your pain. You want something simple but in Today's world that's not possible unless as mentioned you pay to have someone Teach you. I have a USB stick with this small program Active@ Boot Disk which has a Windows type theme but useful to backup your OS on a external device or local disk

If you wish to chat message me

Thanks a huge amount! What I find funny is to use a DVD. I've noticed that a lot of new PC's don't even have the drive anymore.
But since I didn't have one on the laptop, I got a USB DVD drive for it. Just to have the options.
Now I have USB-c on the new PC. But I haven't seen anything yet that needs USB-c.
Heck, I don't even have USB 3.0 on the PC. Why not? Because with all the USB I do own, I never worry about how long it takes to transfer. Heck when I copied a huge file to a 256 GB, I just let it run overnight. Where's the fire? I have learned to have patience when working on a PC.
Changing subject: What is a USB-c for? Is there danger of it replacing standard USB?