windows setup keep personal files and folders and this first option are greyed out

Did you try upgrading using Windows 11 Media Creation Tool also i already let you know why upgrade error happens?

yes i try also from iso but still got this options grey

Not iso use Media Creation Tool.

i got media creation tool also showing grey bro

Do you any error message at Device Manager?

This is from AI respond.


When the "Keep personal files and apps" option is greyed out during an in-place upgrade, it is usually because the installer has detected a mismatch between your current Windows installation and the installation media (ISO/Assistant) you are using. [1, 2]
## Common Causes & Fixes

* Language Mismatch: This is the most frequent cause. If your current Windows is set to English (United States) but your ISO is English (International), the option will be disabled.
* Fix: Check your language in Settings > Time & Language > Language & region and download a matching ISO from the Official Microsoft Download Page.
* Edition Mismatch: You cannot keep files if you are changing editions, such as trying to "upgrade" from Pro to Home or using an Enterprise ISO on a Pro machine.
* Fix: Use winver (Win + R > type winver) to confirm your current edition and ensure your installation media matches exactly.
* Wrong Installation Method: If you boot from a USB drive/DVD to start the upgrade, Windows often forces a clean install.
* Fix: Run the upgrade from within Windows. Right-click your ISO, select Mount, and run setup.exe directly from the virtual drive.
* Registry Redirects: If you have manually changed the location of your "Program Files" or "Users" folders via the registry, the installer will block the upgrade.
* Fix: Revert these registry keys to their default C: drive paths before attempting the upgrade.
* Evaluation Media (Server Only): If you are upgrading a Windows Server, you cannot keep files if you are using Evaluation media. You must use a retail or volume license ISO. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

## Quick Troubleshooting Steps

1. Run Repairs: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to fix corrupted system files that might be blocking the installer.
2. Match Architecture: Ensure you aren't trying to install a 64-bit version over a 32-bit version (or vice versa).
3. Check for Updates: Ensure all pending Windows Updates are installed on your current OS before starting the upgrade. [2, 3, 6, 11]

Would you like the specific registry paths to check for folder redirection or help identifying your exact language code?

[1] [https://techcommunity.microsoft.com](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/why-keep-personal-files-and-apps-option-greyed-out-during-windows-11-upgrade/4427815)
[2] [https://learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/answers/questions/5743131/in-place-upgrade-of-windows-server)
[3] [https://www.reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1mxk45c/windows_11_in_place_upgrade_greyed_out_option_to/)
[4] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhvRPn481_Q)
[5] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlMjgNst3Tk)
[6] [https://techcommunity.microsoft.com](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows10space/why-keep-files-and-apps-option-greyed-out-when-upgrading-to-windows-11/4462706)
[7] [https://learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4258207/keep-personal-files-and-apps-greyed-out)
[8] [https://learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-sg/answers/questions/2187047/keep-personal-files-and-apps-option-greyed-out-whe)
[9] [https://www.dell.com](https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000345922/windows-server-cannot-keep-files-and-settings-during-in-place-upgrade)
[10] [https://learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1435810/problem-upgrade-in-place-winsrv2016-to-winsrv2022)
[11] [https://community.spiceworks.com](https://community.spiceworks.com/t/inplace-upgrade-keep-personal-files-and-apps-greyed-out-winsrv16-essentials-to-winsrv25-essentials/1182688)

iam not dumb bro i install x64 version reallz dont know what a problem

lukokocur said:

View attachment 167802

Click to expand...

It is the install language you have to match. The PowerShell script also shows the name, not only the code.

Run this command as Admin:

The system UI lanaguage is what language edition your should be installing from.

Default system UI language : sk-SK
The UI language fallback is : en-US
System locale : sk-SK
Default time zone : Central Europe Standard Time
Active keyboard(s) : 041b:0000041b, 0809:00000809
Keyboard layered driver : PC/AT Enhanced Keyboard (101/102-Key)

Installed language(s): en-GB
Type : Partially localized language, MUI type.
Fallback Languages en-US
Installed language(s): en-US
Type : Fully localized language.
Installed language(s): sk-SK
Type : Partially localized language, MUI type.
Fallback Languages en-US

The operation completed successfully. here is even i run slovak iso or english i got it still grey

lukokocur said:

Default system UI language : sk-SK
The UI language fallback is : en-US
System locale : sk-SK

Click to expand...

You can only use the Slovakian language ISO for an upgrade. Not English-US or English-GB.

Did you use a HW bypass to install Windows the first time? Are you booting from the ISO, or mounting the ISO from normal Windows to run Setup?

yes previus i use bypass too, i running iso directly from windows.

Mount the ISO as a drive letter. Try running "setupprep.exe /product server" from the ISO folder.

i use product server still grey

If it's not the wrong language (sk-SK), or edition (Pro), or HW requirements... then you have a corrupted Windows folder preventing Setup from reusing the old settings.

You may have to backup the system, and do a clean install. Re-install apps, and restore your files. Maybe someone else has another idea?

Is there anything interesting in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\SetupDiag\Results?

yes

lukokocur said:

in place upgrade /windows repair) not working too showing 0xc1900101

Click to expand...

Your problem is error code 0xc1900101, which occurred when you tried a repair install using Windows Update.

The 0xC1900101 error is a common upgrade error, usually related to drivers or system compatibility. Because it can have multiple causes, it isn’t always straightforward to fix.

We probably need what's in that FailureData entry in the registry, which is cut off in the screenshot.

The error 0xC1900205 means, "The user has chosen to cancel because the system does not pass the requirements for desired migration choice," which is probably not the actual error; it's you cancelling because the option you want isn't available.