We recently experienced an installation of Windows 10 with system files that were corrupt to the point that certain sections of the Settings app would automatically close when being opened, among other bugs around the platform.

After attempting typical repair options, we used a Windows 10 ISO to perform an in-place upgrade, reinstalling Windows 10 while keeping our applications and all. If this sounds familiar, we have covered a similar process using Windows 10’s built-in ” Reset this PC ” option, but that removes your programs and only retains your files and settings on the newly installed operating system, whereas again, the in-place upgrade even preserves the software you have installed.

The reinstallation can be initiated from within Windows using the setup. Since even your applications are retained on the resulting installation, if all goes as planned you won’t have to do much afterward and it’s certainly a path of less resistance compared to fully reinstalling Windows.

For starters, the in-place upgrade isn’t an option if you can’t boot into your installation. You must be logged in to a Windows account and that account must have administrator access. If you’re not an admin, you will be prompted for credentials when launching the installer. Double-click your account and then click “Change the account type” for the option to go from a Standard user to an Administrator. You can also find this information by searching Start for Netplwiz.

If you’re unable to make your account an administrator, note that the Windows administrator account is disabled by default and can be enabled from an elevated Command Prompt:. Although you’ll keep all of your files and software, the reinstallation will delete certain items such as custom fonts, system icons and Wi-Fi credentials.

However, as part of the process, the setup will also create a Windows. If you have a UEFI system with Secure Boot enabled, it’s suggested that you disable Secure Boot before starting the in-place upgrade and then re-enable the feature afterward. Start the Windows setup setup. Windows 10 has native support for mounting ISOs by right-clicking and choosing Mount or by using the following PowerShell command our installation was so broken that the right-click option wasn’t available to us :.

After launching setup. You might be prompted to download updates prior to this option being available. If you intend to keep your currently installed software on the repaired operating system, make sure that “apps” are listed and not only “files” Keep personal files and apps. The rest of the in-place upgrade amounts to waiting about a half an hour for Windows to reinstall, which rebooted our system several times and didn’t require any further intervention from us.

When completed, you’ll load back into the same Windows environment where you originally started the “upgrade,” except with newly installed operating system files which should be bug-free. As mentioned before, although this reinstallation retains your software and settings, the process creates a Windows. Disk Cleanup can delete the Windows. When we scanned after the in-place upgrade, Disk Cleanup found 3. If you’re really low on storage space, we’ve found that third-party software such as Wise Disk Cleaner will remove more data than Disk Cleanup, and that particular tool even removed more than CCleaner.

Other than deleting excess Windows data, you’ll probably have to relog into your Wi-Fi network and you may have to install some Windows updates if you didn’t use the most recent Windows ISO. Core iK vs. User Comments: 14 Got something to say? Post a comment. Add your comment to this article You need to be a member to leave a comment. Join thousands of tech enthusiasts and participate. TechSpot Account Sign up for free , it takes 30 seconds.

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[5 Best Ways] How To Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Files?

 
#1: Reinstalling Using Bootable Windows 10 USB or DVD · #2: Via System Recovery Drive Trick · #3: Using Repair Upgrade Method · #4: Refresh Windows 10 Without. Use the installation media to reinstall Windows 10 ; Keep personal files and apps – This will preserve your personal data, apps, and settings. ; Keep personal. Method 2: Fresh install Windows 10/11 without losing personal files · 1. Open Reset this PC from computer or boot. · 2. After selecting Reset this.