How to Reinstall Windows Without Losing Files [5 Proven Methods]

Will Reinstalling Windows Remove All My Files?

Reinstalling Windows is often a good solution for fixing performance issues, persistent system errors, or malware infections. However, many users are worried about a critical concern: Will reinstalling Windows remove all my files? The answer depends on the approach you take:

As you can see in the table, some methods for reinstalling Windows will keep personal files and installed applications, while others will erase all data. So which method should you choose to avoid losing data? Let's explore more details.

How to Reinstall Windows 10/11 Without Losing Files

There are several methods to reinstall Windows without wiping your personal data. Each method can meet the needs of different groups of people. You can choose the appropriate method to reinstall Windows 10/11 according to your own needs. Let’s break them down one by one.

Before Reinstallation

If you don’t want to lose a single file even those relatively unimportant application files, the best approach is to back up all data on Windows before reinstallation, and then choose a method you prefer to reinstall Windows. You can back up important data using Windows built-in backup tools such as File History and Backup and Restore. Additionally, cloud backup tools and external hard drives are also great options.

Method 1. Reset This PC (Keep My Files)

One of the simplest and safest built-in tools for Windows reinstall without losing data is the Reset this PC feature. Because it offers a "Keep my files" option that allows users to retain their personal files in the C drive during the system reinstallation process, but previously installed apps and settings will be deleted.

Step 1. Click "Start" menu, then go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Recovery".

Step 2. Click "Get started" under "Reset this PC" section.

Step 3. Choose "Keep my files" and all your personal files in C: \Uers will be reserved. All applications installed on the C drive and system settings will be deleted. Files in other partitions will not be affected.

Step 4. Choose how to reinstall Windows based on your needs.

Step 5. Confirm the reset setting and click "Next" to continue the process. You can check the apps that will be deleted by clicking "View apps that will be removed". Then click "Reset" to start the process.

Wait for the system reinstallation to complete until a prompt to reset Windows appears on the screen.

Method 2. Use Windows Media Creation Tool (Upgrade This PC)

If your Windows can start up normally and you want to reinstall the system to upgrade it to the latest version, using the Windows Media Creation Tool is a safe and effective method. This method will not affect files on other drives.

Step 1. Download Windows Media Creation Tool on your computer from the Microsoft official channel.

Step 2. Launch it and choose "Upgrade this PC now", then click "Next".

Step 3. Windows Media Creation tool will download Windows 10, wait several minutes until your computer ready to install.

Step 4. You’ll see that "Keep personal files and apps" is selected by default. Click "Install" to reinstall Windows without losing data.

Method 3. Mount ISO File

You can also reinstall the system using a Windows ISO file without data loss. It not only preserves your personal files but also the installed programs. This is a useful method when you cannot create a bootable drive using a USB or DVD. Here take reinstalling Windows 11 as an example:

Step 1. Download Windows 11 ISO file on your computer from Microsoft official website.

Step 2. Locate to the ISO file and click "Mount" (or right click on it and choose "Mount").

Step 3. Double click "Setup.exe" to open the program and click "Next".

Step 4. You can see that, by default, both personal files and apps are retained. If you only want to keep personal files or remove everything, you can click "Change what to keep" to select the files you wish to retain.

Step 5. Click "Install" to start the process.

Method 4. Apply Advanced Startup Menu

When your system has startup issues but can still reach recovery mode, you can use advanced startup menu or enter WinRE to reinstall the system, just like using "Reset this PC" option mentioned above.

Step 1. Navigate to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Recovery", then click "Restart Now" under "Advanced startup" section. It will restart the computer and then boot Windows into Windows Recovery Environment.

Notes:✎...

If your system has completely crashed and you can’t access the interface, enter WinRE like this: Power on the computer, and force a shutdown by holding the power button for 10 seconds as soon as the computer or Windows logo appears. Repeat this restart-and-shutdown cycle three times, and you’ll enter WinRE.

Step 2. Select "Troubleshoot" > "Reset this PC".

Step 3. Then, follow the steps in Method 1 to reset this PC. If you don’t want to lose any personal data, choose "Keep my files". Just like in Method 1, this option will only retain your personal files, while applications, settings, and other data will be removed.

Method 5. Reinstall Using Installation Media (Clean Install)

If your Windows is unbootable, infected with a virus, or requires a complete clean installation, and you have already created a USB bootable drive (you can also use ISO file), you can use this method.

Step 1. Plug the USB bootable media into the unbootable Windows where you would like to reinstall Windows.

Step 2. Power on the unbootable Windows and enter BIOS by pressing F2/F10/F12 based on your computer brands.

Step 3. Choose the USB to boot the computer, then Windows logo and Windows Setup will show up on the screen.

Step 4. Select language to install for the new system and click "Next".

Step 5. Click "Install now" to continue the process. In the product key window, choose "I don't have a product key" according to the prompts on the screen.

Step 6. Select an operating system you want to stall and click "Next".

Step 7. Accept the license terms and choose "Upgrade" or "Custom" installation. If you choose "Upgrade", your personal files, installed software, and settings will all be retained, and the old system files will be backed up to C:\Windows.old in the new system. If you opt for "Custom" and select the C drive for installation in the partitioning interface, the old system files will also be moved to the Windows.old folder. However, if you choose to format the C drive, all data on the C drive will be erased.

Step 8. Select a partition to install Windows. Wait for a while until the installation is complete.

Post-Reinstallation: Data Recovery and System Crash Solutions

Despite following all steps carefully, data loss can sometimes still happen due to formatting errors, wrong partition selection, or unexpected crashes. Always back up your data before any major system operation. But when backup fails or isn't available, MyRecover is your go-to solution for data recovery.

MyRecover is a professional-grade tool for recovering deleted, formatted, or lost files after system reinstallation. It supports all major file types and works seamlessly with Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 and all Servers. It can not only recover lost data after a system reinstallation but also retrieve your data from a non-bootable system. Follow these steps to recover data from crashed Windows.

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Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on a working computer from secure channel. Prepare a blank USB (or back up files in the USB in advance).

Step 2. Launch MyRecover and connect the USB to the computer. Select "PC Crashed Recovery".

Step 3. Choose "USB Boot Device" and click "Create" to make a bootable media.

Step 4. Wait a few minutes until the bootable media be created successfully. Insert the bootable media into the unbootable computer.

Step 5. Power on the crashed computer and enter BIOS system. Then select the USB bootable drive to boot the computer.

Step 6. Select the drive where the lost files were stored to scan, then click "Scan".

Step 7. Choose files you intend to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Step 8. Select a safe location to save the recovered files.

When the process is completed, the message "Files have been recovered successfully" will pop up. You can check the recovered files by clicking on the destination folder path or "Browse" button.

Conclusion

Reinstalling Windows doesn’t have to mean losing your files if you follow the right steps. Whether you use Reset this PC, installation media, or an ISO upgrade, it's entirely possible to reinstall Windows 10 or 11 without losing data. However, if something goes wrong and you lose your files in the process, powerful tools like MyRecover can help you get them back quickly and safely.

Moreover, for both home users and business users, the Technician edition of MyRecover may be more suitable for you. It allows usage on multiple computers with just one license.