You can preserve your files when reinstalling Windows.

It is common for PCs to malfunction, display errors and perform poorly. Sometimes, the only solution to fix some of these issues is to reinstall the OS, but this could mean losing your files. The good news is that you can reinstall Windows 10/11 without dealing with this inconvenience. In this tutorial, we demonstrate how you can do just that.

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Resetting and reinstalling may sound similar and, in a broad sense, have similar functionalities, but they are not the same.

You should resort to a reinstall if you’re facing critical errors and your PC is not functioning as it should. During a reinstall, all of the corrupted files are deleted, and any underlying issues that have been preventing your PC from operating normally, lowering its performance, are usually resolved.

Resetting means going back to your PC’s default settings. It’s a much softer approach to repairing any problems or corrupted files on your Windows PC. Your files won’t be erased, but you’ll lose your apps.

Also read: How to Use Google Authenticator on a Windows PC

If your computer is functioning abnormally or you’re seeing errors when executing programs or commands, you should first consider other methods that could fix the issue before deciding to reinstall Windows.

However, if you’ve tried everything to no avail, then reinstalling Windows might be the best option for you. You don’t even risk losing any files or apps in the process if you follow the instructions below.

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If you don’t want to reinstall Windows but simply take it back to its factory settings, then the reset option might be for you. If you opt for this solution, keep in mind that all your software will be removed. On the other hand, you do have the option to keep your files intact.

Also read: How to Add Portable Apps to Windows Startup

Even with these methods available, you might want to take some precautions to prevent data loss in case of unpredictable hardware malfunctions or file corruption.

Also read: How to Set Up Reminders in Windows

You can back up your Windows computer using “File History” or “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)”.

If you are on Windows 11, open “Control Panel -> System & Security -> File History” for the first option. Click the “Turn on” button if your backup drive already shows up in the list. Next, go to “Advanced Settings” and select how often “File History” should create an incremental backup of your files.

On Windows 10, go to “Settings -> Update & Security -> Backup” to find “File History.”

As for the second option, it will create an image backup. Find it by going to “Control Panel -> System & Security -> Backup and Restore (Windows 7)” in both OS versions.

Cloning lets you create an exact copy of your computer so you can use it on another computer if you are migrating or restoring the information. Macrium Reflect can also help with that. The second option creates a backup of the files, folders, partitions, or hard disk that you want to save for later use. Both the backup and the system image can be stored on a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.

Yes, you won’t lose any of your apps or files. You can downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 using the “Go Back” feature inside the “Settings” menu within 10 days of updating to Windows 11.

If it has been more than 10 days and you want to downgrade, you will have to perform a clean install of Windows 10.

Image credit: Eduardo Dutra via Pexels.  All screenshots by Abdul Moiz.

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