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Cannot Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing All Personal Files and Applications

Anonymous
2023-12-21T22:42:41+00:00

A few days ago, my Windows 10 2H22 operating system totally corrupted. Trust me, I checked everything. At this point, all my files and data and applications are intact on the drive, but I cannot boot into it because the operating system is so corrupted.

However, I have a copy of the most recent installation media on a USB flash drive. Therefore, my plan of action is to try to reinstall the operating system using the installation media.

Before you say it, I tried everything else. I tried all the usual suspects, from sfc /scannow, DISM, and chkdsk all the way to the built in repair tool. I even tried reinstalling the OS from installation media, and I will talk about that shortly. Finally, I tried making a clean install of windows 10 on the drive, and bringing over all the personal files from a backup of the corrupt drive (made after it corrupted so I don't lose my most recent personal files).

Nothing has worked, at least not to my satisfaction. Here is the best possible option at this point: reinstall the operating system from the installation media flash drive, and between the two options of "save files" and "clean install," I would like to save the files.

Unfortunately, whenever I select the "save files" option by booting into the installation media, it claims that I must be booted into windows to do so. However, I cannot boot into windows, because the operating system is corrupted.

Is there any way I can reinstall the operating system *and keep my files* WITHOUT using the operating system I am trying to replace? I have access to numerous other copies of windows 10 on backup drives and whatnot, this will not be an issue. Basically, I can either boot from the installation media and try to reinstall windows, or I can boot into a different drive and try to reinstall windows on my corrupt drive. Are either of these possible to do while keeping my files?

If not, what folders should I copy over to save my data on a fresh install?

Thanks!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-21T23:21:16+00:00

    Hi, Malb. I'm Robinson, and I’m happy to help you today.

    Yes, you can perform the custom installation of Windows. As long as you do not format the C: drive in the Setup, you will not lose your data, but they will be moved to another location. After the installation, you can find a folder Windows.old in the root directory of C: drive. All your files are saved there.

    Note: This procedure only will keep the personal files, all software and apps need to be reinstalled.

    1-Create a USB device with an installation image.

    You can create using the media creation tool, download it on this link.

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

    2-Enter on BIOS/UEFI and change to boot from the USB device.

    3-Click "Install Now".

    4- Type your product key or skip it. Usually, your computer will be activated automatically when it's connected to a network if you install the same version of Windows as before.

    5- Select the installation type "Custom".

    6- Select the C: drive and click Next to proceed. Then, wait patiently until the installation is complete 100%.

    I hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please let me know and I'll be glad to assist you further.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-22T06:26:18+00:00

    There is no special sequence, you will need to access the Windows.old folder and copy the folders back to where they should be manually.

    You just need to copy all you need from the Windows.old folder before 10 days, after this period this folder is deleted automatically.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-22T07:10:47+00:00

    Thank you! I’ll try it out when I get a chance.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-21T23:55:21+00:00

    Thanks for replying!

    I was looking at this option a bit, and I was hesitant to do so because it seems that it removes some data I’d like to keep. However, if it is the best I can do, I’m happy to do it.

    After I’ve reinstalled windows, how can I rescue all of my data from the Windows.old folder? Is there a program or sequence to sort it back automatically, or should I just manually copy every folder back to where it should be?

    Thanks again!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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