How to reinstall Windows without losing personal files
By Tom Nonmacher
Sometimes, our computer systems become so tangled up with errors, malware, or unnecessary files that the best course of action is to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. Such a drastic decision often scares users due to the fear of losing personal files and data. But here is the good news: you can reinstall Windows without losing your personal files! This article will guide you through the process step by step.
Before we start, it's crucial to note that while the reinstall process should preserve your personal files, it's always a good idea to make a backup just in case something goes wrong. You can do this by copying your important files to an external hard drive, a USB drive or cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox. Make sure you have the product key of your Windows Operating System and any other software you might need to reinstall.
To reinstall Windows without losing your personal files, you will use a feature called "Reset this PC" that comes with Windows 10. To access it, click on the Start button, then select the 'Settings' option. In the Settings window, click on 'Update and Security.' From the menu on the left, select 'Recovery,' which will take you to a screen where you will see the 'Reset this PC' option. Click on 'Get Started' to proceed.
Two options will appear: 'Keep my files' and 'Remove everything.' Since we are reinstalling Windows without losing personal files, you should select 'Keep my files.' This option will remove apps and settings but keeps your personal files. After clicking on 'Keep my files,' the system will then present a list of apps that will be removed in the process. You can save this list to re-install necessary apps later.
Next, you will be prompted to 'Reset' or 'Cancel.' Click on 'Reset' to start the reinstallation process. Your computer will then restart, and the reinstallation process will begin. This process may take some time, so be patient. Once the reinstallation is complete, your computer will restart and you'll need to go through the initial Windows setup process, just like you did when you first bought the computer.
After finishing the setup, check to make sure that your personal files are still there. If they are, then congratulations, you've successfully reinstalled Windows without losing your personal files! Now, you can start reinstalling your applications using the list that you saved earlier.
In conclusion, reinstalling Windows without losing personal files is a straightforward process that any user can accomplish. This process can help you to recover from severe system problems and improve the general performance of your computer. Always remember to backup your files before starting and have your product keys ready just in case. Happy computing!