Reinstalling an operating system can feel overwhelming, especially when it involves wiping the machine or resolving software instability. Fortunately, Windows 10 makes it possible to reinstall the OS without losing your personal data by following a few straightforward steps.
Windows 10 offers several options for reinstalling, allowing users to customize the process based on their needs. However, keep in mind that while your files may be preserved, most applications and personalized settings will be removed—though there are workarounds to restore them afterward.
How to reinstall Windows 10 without losing data
Before starting the process of reinstalling Windows 10, it's important to determine the outcome you want. Windows offers several options to reinstall the operating system, each handling your data and applications differently. The table below outlines these options and how your files and apps will be affected:
| Type of reinstall | Option you can choose | What happens to your data? | What happens to your apps? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reset Windows 10 | Keep my files | Preserved | Anything you installed is deleted |
| Reset Windows 10 | Remove everything | Everything is deleted | Everything is deleted |
| Reinstall Windows 10 using install media | Keep everything | Preserved | Preserved |
| Reinstall Windows 10 using install media | Keep personal data | Preserved | Everything is deleted |
| Reinstall Windows 10 using install media | Remove everything | Everything is deleted | Everything is deleted |
| Clean install of Windows 10 using install media | None available | Everything is deleted | Everything is deleted |
Method 1: Using the "Reset this PC" option
This is the simplest method to reinstall Windows while keeping your personal files intact:
- Right-click the Start button, then select Settings.
- Go to Update & Security, then click Recovery from the left pane.
- Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
- Choose Keep my files to preserve your data, then follow the prompts to reset your system.
Note: This method removes installed applications and custom settings. Back up any essential apps before proceeding.
Method 2: Using the Advanced Startup menu
The Advanced Startup menu is another way to reinstall Windows 10 while keeping your files intact, especially when your PC is having trouble booting up normally.
- Click Start, then go to Settings.
- Navigate to Update & Security, and select Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
- Once your PC restarts, select Troubleshoot, then choose Reset this PC.
- Select Keep my files, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstall process.
Note: This method will also remove installed applications and settings, so back up any important apps before proceeding.
Method 3: Using Windows 10 ISO image file
If you want more control over the reinstall process, using a Windows 10 ISO image file is a great option. Here's how:
- Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft to create a Windows 10 ISO file.
- Right-click the ISO file, select Mount, then double-click the Setup.exe file.
- Follow the prompts, and when asked, select Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings, Keep personal files only, or Nothing, based on your needs.
- Proceed with the installation, and your system will reinstall with the selected settings.
Restoring applications after you reinstall Windows 10
After reinstalling Windows 10, you'll need to restore any applications that were removed during the process. Here’s how to recover them from the Microsoft Store:
How to back up your data before reinstalling
Before proceeding with any reinstall, it's crucial to ensure your data is backed up properly. Here’s how to back up your files:
Backing up ensures that even in case of an error during the reinstall process, your personal data remains safe.
How long does it take to reinstall Windows 10?
Reinstalling Windows 10 can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to complete. A slow internet connection, for example, can slow down the process. It can be an involved process, so it's important to let it run without interruption.
Although freezes and errors can occur during the installation, this is unlikely. If the updating animation is still moving, it's best to assume everything is ok. That said, failures do happen, so it's worth keeping both a backup of the personal files you’re trying to keep and a backup of all your old Windows 10 files so that if one reinstallation attempt fails, you have exactly what you need to try again.
Do I need to reinstall Windows 10?
Reinstalling Windows 10 is one of the most in-depth processes you can attempt, and so it is generally a last resort. If you are wanting to completely reset a system, such as when someone else is going to take ownership of it, resetting the operating system is a common approach.
However, it is not advisable to reinstall Windows 10 on a routine basis – particularly if you are doing so to improve system performance. Although it can speed up Windows in the short term, there are many other techniques you can deploy to speed up Windows 10.
Other Windows 10 guides
Reinstalling Windows 10 will likely fix any problems you're having with the operating system, however, it's seen as a nuclear option and should only really be used as a last resort.
To avoid this, it's worth performing the various other fixes you have available. We've detailed some of the most common Windows 10 problems that users face, and the simple fixes for them.
