Windows 11 Feature Lets You Reinstall Without Deleting Your Data or Programs

[@SoulPoetryandOtherWorks]

Microsoft should make an exception and patch this feature into Windows 10 as well. So many PCs still rely on Windows 10 and are not eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade due to unsupported hardware requirements. An easier rebuild option would be a blessing or lift the requirements and allow an upgrade to Windows 11. By the way, I used your advice to Reset my PC and it fixed and sped up my system by allowing me to free up the space from unused applications. It now runs better than before with fewer issues. So thank you and a Happy New Year to you.

[@Dode2622]

I just use Norton Ghost. Never had to reinstall Windows in years.

[@lifeindivine]

​@@Dode2622Sir please tell me what is Norton Ghost? I want to know please tell.

[@rogershark9223]

Win 10 support ends in less than 2 years they're not going to waste time adding features to it

[@jorgesilveira763]

Would never trust Microsoft to do something as described. Most likely leaves intact all the trash that originally comes installed by default but program data folder and user preferences in general will break, third party plug-ins associated with non windows software will for sure be lost.

[@musicalneptunian]

You can trust Microsoft. You will trust Microsoft. You are getting very 💤💤💤

[@stuartedwards6996]

It should work fine. Windows 7 and below (Can't remember if it worked on Windows 8) you could pop the install CD/DVD or mount a Windows install ISO and run the setup.exe. It would allow you to install windows over the existing install and would keep your settings, applications and files. We used to call it an inline install. So as usual, Microsoft are just bringing back a feature that they origially had and then removed. Slow clap for Microsoft?

[@Dirtyharry70585]

Might work if there’s a user error but if the drive was failed at the windows sectors, it’s toast anyhow.

[@lr4796]

I’m sure you know more than them and are a highly qualified individual 🎉

[@raydilly3142]

I just used this process yesterday. I was having an issue with Windows Update not installing updates. Fixed it right up, now fully updated, and lost nothing. Other than taking a bit of time, it was hassle free. It also fixed a few smaller issues I was having. Very nice.

[@daddy-truck-]

Was you having frame drops in games?

[@JohnDoe55644]

I tried this the other day. I was having issues with the taskbar/start menu not always loading on start up as well as the task manager not working as it should. Sadly doing this didn't work for me and i had to do a full reinstall. I also tried a similar thing with the Windows media creation tool which also didn't work.

[@turboplayerg2872]

this might be the BEST FEATURE IN 20 YEARS I CANNOT WAITTO USE IT

[@musicalneptunian]

Nope. The Windows XP search dog was the ultimate. Then Chess Titans.

[@martinbarr-david8173]

Microsoft only gives one go at it.

[@ChrisM541]

Newsflash: Windows has had a 'Repair Install' feature for........many years!

[@bulldata]

It works. I reinstalled Windows 11 two days ago to correct some lost necessary Windows files.

[@RVail623]

This feature was formerly an option in WinXP. What would make this feature more useful, would be to allow re-installation while booted from a USB thumb drive Windows installer. In that scenario, the full .iso file would get downloaded, matching the exact Windows (faulty) version already on the boot drive, then re-install a working bootable Windows over the existing faulty version.

[@Jim-nm1en]

Finally, Microsoft come up with a good idea.This feature should have been available years ago.

[@Sleepingsun40]

Don't know why,but my PC doesn't have that option...and i'm running Win 11 Pro 22H2 version 22621.3007....

[@SparkySenor]

Brian, I think this feature is also available on Windows 10. Right now, I am in the process of reinstalling Windows 10 on a laptop as I am passing it on to a new user but it gave me the option of preserving data and programs (obviously I did not want this but it was an option). Happy New Year and thanks for all of your valuable content.

[@arnulfschnitzler4695]

No, its not possible for a complete Reinstall on Win10 and have your Data and all Programs like before.

[@Sirlarrythecat]

Not the same as it doesn't keep all your settings or your apps just your files.

[@Britec09]

Windows 10 will not receive any new features

[@TechItOut]

Was also on Windows 7. I used to employ it often. And yes programs and settings.. I was on the MVP team.

[@debeeriz]

when i updated to 11 from 10 it saved all my programs and data

[@acerbt]

I'm glad that this is coming. As a blind user, the trickiest part of a fresh install is always configuring the uefi or bios to boot off usb since there's no access to any kind of screen reader at that stage. In the past when installing windows I've always needed sited assistance from another person to set the boot order and or to select the right device in the boot menu.

[@seediffusion]

If you use UEFI, run reagentc /boottore in an admin command prompt. You'll be booted into the Windows recovery environment where you'll have access to Narrator, and you can choose a device to boot from.

[@anitad243]

This is great! Too bad for me though because a few weeks ago, I was automatically switched to the Canary Channel (without notice) and after a couple of weeks my Settings screen disappeared! I tried all the 'fixes' but nothing worked. I had to do a clean install and get back to the Dev channel to fix the issue. If you lose your 'Settings' screen you're screwed. Fortunately, all my data was backed up. Thanks always for your informative videos Brian 👍🏽

[@maximumsim]

It worked fine for me and it looks as though it can be done more than once, cheers Brian.

[@TheRedPolyhedral]

I've heard you mention this a few times on the channel, and after having had a recurring problem with Windows, I decided that now is the time to go over to the Insider programme. It's very reassuring to see that option in Settings, I can tell you! Thanks for giving me another nudge. 😊

[@debeeriz]

that is a fantastic improvement, adobe must be getting fed up with me reloadind a 30 day trial of photoshop

[@Uldan1988]

This was feature before ,just wasn't in windows UI to access it u had to boot ISO file but u could still reinstall system without removing previous data

[@ChrisM541]

EXACTLY !!! It was called a Repair Install, and well known amongst even the most basic of tech savvy users.

[@MikeBramm]

I've always thought that the operating system should be installed on a hidden partition that only it can write system files to. That way you (and other applications) would not be able to mess up the operating system. Upgrading, or even downgrading, the operating system would then be simple because it would not disturb your applications or personal files at all.

[@leeroberts1192]

Acorn Archimedes computers back in the late 90s had the OS stored on a ROM chip

[@writerpatrick]

Upgrading would be more difficult. But many systems will use a separate drive for the OS than the data. And it's often not the data itself but the folders that Windows looks to for the data. If you don't use Windows default folders then you don't have a problem with loosing data during upgrades.

[@leeroberts1192]

@@writerpatrick Bac during the Windows 98 era, I used to have a very tiny partition with the CAB files which I installed Windows from. I tried to avoid if I could, installing any programs on the C drive and I used to reinstall Windows about once a year. Windows used to be much simpler back then.

[@leerobinson8709]

I don't want to be that "Linux guy" that patrols these types of interactions, but you are quite close to describing how a Linux operating system works. Particularly one that uses Snap and Flatpaks for applications.

[@MikeBramm]

@@leerobinson8709 Exactly. Windows pretty much allows any application to put files in any folder, which is why systems get messed up. Keeping the O.S., applications, and user files separate would make things so much simpler.

[@paulwarner5395]

Thanx for the video. This repair assumes that you can boot into Windows. If not it's useless unless you can do it via a bootable USB drive.

[@ashhhton]

This is brilliant! I cant believe it was the only thing that fixed my win11 right before i almost reset my whole windows! Took about 2 hours though so be patient

[@peterscott234]

I follow all your videos Brian and this one is great as usual! Keep up the good work Cheers Peter

[@Sonya_Makepeace]

Back up your data. Format the disk. Then install Windows. Never fails.

[@stuartedwards6996]

This feature is meant to help people who don't have a technological knowledge.

[@Sonya_Makepeace]

@@stuartedwards6996 Yes, but it could turn out bad. I've tried lots of different apps for backing up and other things. They sound good, but rarely work, and one doesn't find out until it's too late.

[@stuartedwards6996]

@@Sonya_Makepeace I agree but It should work fine. Windows 7 and below (Can't remember if it worked on Windows 8) you could pop the install CD/DVD or mount a Windows install ISO and run the setup.exe. It would allow you to install windows over the existing install and would keep your settings, applications and files. We used to call it an inline install. So as usual, Microsoft are just bringing back a feature that they origially had and then removed. Slow clap for Microsoft?

[@Sonya_Makepeace]

@@stuartedwards6996 Most of the problems I had, was dual booting Windows with Linux. Linux would wipe out the Windows MBR. I could recover the MBR with a Windows install disc. But now, when I boot to Linux, I do it from the BIOS boot menu.

[@ChrisM541]

That's....a severe, extreme and heavy handed way to do things. 1) A Windows 'Repair Install' (that's what this is, and it's existed for years!) will restore Windows file issues that other methods can't. 2) If your system is functioning ok, purchase Macrium, Acronis or similar and make regular image backups of your system drive. That way, if anything prevents Windows from booting, or screws up Windows and/or your installed programs, then all you need to do is re-image your drive to get you back to exactly where you were when the image was taken. Crucially!!! - all your programs (and all fine tuning/tweaking) will NOT need to be re-installed !!! If you want to be a sadist then don't make use of image backup software.

[@steves1749]

I used this today as I was having problems with Edge error "Print Preview Failed" and MS Store failed to install any app. It worked seamlessly. And both issues have been resolved. So I'm a happy camper. I went back to check and this option is no longer available. Win11 Pro, 23H2. Of course I backed up Prior. TU. I'm a sub and regular viewer of your channel

[@IvyMike.]

I have a 1tb SSD that I use to clone all partitions every month using Disk Genius, and outside of that, I use FreeFileSync to my (maybe a bit posh, offsite) NAS for anything outside of the operating system. In the event of failure of my RAID 0 boot drive configuration, I can be up and running within 30 mins.

[@US_Joe]

Good one Brian -thanx. Most likely this will rebloat windows after we painfully tweaked & customized it. Maybe I'm wrong - not sure.👍👍👍

[@jrose-xp6tf]

Was wondering about this also, I use TIW11 and re-doing all those prefs seems as much work as "reset this pc" is.

[@georgevoulgarakis8894]

Well, I thought this was already possible for ages with In-place Repair Upgrade. Correct me if i'm wrong. You basically mount the iso file of the same of newer build and run the setup from within windows 10/11 and then you have 3 options, Reset, keep your files, keep files AND programs. The new option will just makes it easier so you don't need to download the iso manually.

[@adam.southside]

Thanks .. It worked for me ... I had installed a severe de-bloater from github and windows update was pretty much non-functional ... but with this feature, got everything fully functional - it even installed one drive back which I will remove again if possible - all settings and programs were retained during the reinstall - still a one time operation as of today.

[@Nick41622]

Happy new year Brian.

[@Britec09]

Happy new year!

[@baldy95307]

Sumptin' wrong here. Started with Insider Evaluation version 230707-17?? (LR of desktop screen at 0:14) WinVer showed 25905.1000 (at 0:25) After reinstall shows Insider Evaluation prerelease 231208.1532 (LR of desktop screen at 7:30) I'm confused.

[@E.Wiseman]

Happy New Year Brian ! 💮🥳🥂 Thanks for All your Content & Hard work. Wishing you All the Best in 2024.

[@Paulzpc]

I've been wanting this update for a while now it's a pain the old way, no changes in 10 right? 22H2 is the last update for Windows 10? Good video Brian as always, thank you

[@Britec09]

No more new features are coming to Windows 10.

[@Paulzpc]

@@Britec09 okay, thank you.

[@benhetland576]

1:32 if "settings will be preserved", then this feature also might not be able to fix everything. Part of a problem may be caused by just that - settings, drivers and some installed apps... So then this is just like before where a system restore or "automatically repair" more often than not _doesn't work_ as advertised.

[@steam-SMOKEY]

Hello mate, on my main system, I use it 90% of the time for sim racing. With work and the family, it's hard to find ti.e to driver update the 4 PC's I have in the house. Do you recommend a driver update tool that isn't full of bloat ware and other crap. Appreciated your work mate 👍

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

Maybe I’m a bit stupid here but you seem to need to have a working version of Windows for it to work? So if it’s working why fix it?

[@steviekek]

Great feature, enjoyed the video

[@Nikolaykekx]

Thx for good information !

[@Britec09]

Our pleasure!

[@MuzdokOfficial]

Very interesting for less tech savy users. A Question per your testing you did: Is this also keep tweaks in the services registry control panel group policies editor cmd and powershell and so on?

[@relaxdmj8769]

Interesting, thanks for the heads up. Is the process cleaning the registry as well (temporary and uninstalled stuff)?

[@Stephyayy123]

Hmm it seems like this method doesnt work now. I have the latest Windows 11 version and when I try to perform this method it says 'repair version of windows not found, please try again later'.

[@johngoard8272]

Brian does this mean a)that any settings such as the privacy ones you have already set have to be done and b) will this actually speed up the computer by clearing a lot of junk files/folders? The latter would be handy instead of going through the apps installed and using other things like disk cleanup to try and improve your computer which has slowed since buying it?

[@lordcustard-smythe-smith9153]

Very, very useful.... if it works!

[@jamesbohannon417]

Do you have to have 23H2 for this option.

[@dougtravins9624]

I think this feature may be very useful, and I like the knowledge I gain from watching this channel. Have a great New Year.

[@Li.Siyuan]

Thank you for this, Brian. I have a question: at Settings>Accounts>Other Users, what in the name of all that's holy is a "Kiosk"? It invites me to turn my device into a Kiosk but does nothing much to explain what a Kiosk is. Thank you.

[@jmgrayii]

I wonder if this feature will become active (not greyed out) on somehow sensing possible corruption say via a SCANNOW command for example. Also thanks for the recent video showing how to do an in-place repair or upgrade in place using the correct ISO from mieoaoft. It saved hours reinstalling and reconfiguring my main PC.

[@lifeindivine]

A lot pf problem in windows environment comes due to driver issues. The solution to this is either to buy laptop from Good laptop manufacturer like HP who easily provides all the drivers or best is to pay for programs like CCleaner premium which has the functionality to download and install all the drivers, works much better than Windows generic drivers and system becomes as stable as anything.

[@thibaultmiossec4162]

Hi !Nice tool . Without the fact it is simpler is there technically a diffrence beetween this tool and sfc scannow + dism command ? By the way I love you're work ! See you !

[@BringDeath2U]

Sounds good!

[@richardbennett6053]

This seems like a good feature if it works as advertised, many of us don't trust Microsoft any longer as they have promised many features many times with so so results. Thanks for your review lets see if the promise is fulfilled

[@xxTexas_outlaw71xxttv]

took them long enough to have this. this shoild have been around in the XP/7 days. i do have a question. when you do that, iam guessing its also going to D/L the Drivers as well? thanks for shari g and have a great New year

[@NTPTM]

Hej Brian thanks for the video very nice feature to reinstall Windows 11 but i prefer to do a real clean install of Windows 11 or Windows 10 i run both but it much more work. But this new reinstall feature is also nice to have I would use this feature if i have some problems with Windows 11 to be quick up and running again and do a clean install later. Take care Brian and thanks for all your videos 2023 i wish you A Happy New Year.

[@rogerbowen5753]

Finally! There's been a number of times when I could have done with that.

[@dalefuller9953]

I hope Windows makes it available for multiple installs. I usually don't have trouble with my computer but when (not if), I have to reinstall it usually takes me two days to completely get my computer back up with all my programs. This would save a bunch of time.

[@writerpatrick]

It's similar to updating from one version to another. The difference here is that you're not restricted to having a new version to update to.

[@Robert-sl7jo]

I’d like to see Microsoft honor their word that Windows 10 was the last OS and shut down Windows 11. Put all their best into W10 and stop talking like a politician.

[@KaptainSpaulding]

A great feature! Let's hope it can be used more than once..

[@Britec09]

Lets hope so

[@petercarter9034]

Windows 11 just keeps getting better !

[@Andrew_Johnson_2973]

Windows 10 had this feature via downloading windows 10 creative tool setup. Its about time Windows 11 had it.

[@foxmulder2941]

Considering my pc can't be upgraded to Windows 11 , it would have been nice if the same feature was offered on Windows 10. I'd love to do a fresh install but don't want the hassle of re-installing programs and re-activating licenses.

[@michaelhoolahan2602]

I somehow ended up on insider canary edition and saw i would have to reinstall windows 11 to change it. So would this help me get off the canary edition of insider or will it just reinstall the same canary edition i already have? right now there is a update that distorts my graphics and i have to revert back to fix it on my nvidia 4070 thats what started me down the path of wanting me to get off canary, ive been til now pausing updates instead of a full reinstall. thanks for another great video.

[@hpguru]

It didn't work here. Error was "Repair version of windows not found, please try again later"

[@wouteradriaens7869]

thx for the video finally has microsoft listens to some of the people that was asking for that.

[@ShadowzGSD]

thats one improvement at least. the only thing i don't like or have not got used to is they annoying tabs on the taskbar for open programs, i just want them all the same size and neat like they were before. most of the time i have to click on them and drag them a bit to get them to resize a bit. cant find mention or a fix for it, it is like i am the only one who has a problem with it.

[@Britec09]

They will probably break it before its released 😂

[@ronnierush9379]

Happy New Year 😄Does this work on your non booting crashed version of Windows 11 or does it only work as a system refresher?

[@James-ez3nq]

Will this feature work with Windows 11 installed on unsupported hardware, or will it detect your unsupported hardware and refuse to work?

[@Britec09]

Microsoft are looking at ways to close the door on unsupported hardware

[@Mr_Secrate__]

Thanks bro from INDIA....👌👍💐

[@Britec09]

Thanks for watching

[@SoheiJayce]

Tried it now that it came out in the Release Preview insider version. It downgraded my Windows 24h2 to a version of 23h2 distributed from November 2023 and now can't be updated back. I click on check for updates, I get nothing. I then check the troubleshooter for Windows updates and got notified that the Windows updater has an issue detected to which of course the troubleshooter doesn't do anything else after the fact. I go on the website to manually reinstall the appropriate insider version I have and it won't let me as I get an error from the Microsoft website. Better yet, I can't switch to any of those recent versions of Win 11 on that website.

[@peterg3661]

Hi @Britec wonder if it will work on a computer that wont run 11 because of its hardware being out dated. but will run on the patch they do.😊

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Always backup to local media, not into onedrive cloud.

[@Abaddis-en2sr]

This channel is the best of best and my question is 2024 how to secure PC windows 10 ultimate guide

[@joepjoep9531]

It’s basically an in-place upgrade never lost any data with it already commented before watching and even when it wasn’t integrated never lost data with it in like 20 years professionally as well but still a clean install is best

[@Roger-vz7ol]

This is not a permanent option. It is a one-time use-only program. Of course, MS will not do anything to help their users.

[@Disillusioned2022]

So I have version 23H2 (os build 22631.2861) and this option is NOT ANYWHERE to be seen when I go to system > recovery. I see Fix problems without resetting your PC - then the very below option from that it Reset this PC. How are you getting the "Fix problems using Windows Update" to appear?

[@GaryBeltz]

Is this feature only available on the insider preview versions?

[@Britec09]

At the moment

[@CoolDudeClem]

Often I re-install windows JUST to get rid of programs that I don't use any more. Over time it just gets more and more clogged with software I've tried. Re-installing Windows and then installing ONLY the software I need is just easier that un-installing.

[@abdulhakim8389]

It's about time!! What took them so long??

[@eddietours3728]

Thanks have a great Day

[@TeaBurn]

Well then, finally a good reason to finally upgrade from my ancient XP system.

[@alkrevit4755]

Excellent video. I take it you checked all your installed apps to check on settings preserved, etc. So now we don't need to download rufus on a thumbdrive and get the most recent win 11 iso, and make sure to keep all apps is checked. I thought I had seen this months ago but that it reinstalled from your one drive, I hope not as I deleted one drive from my computer. Fantastic!

[@pcrepairtech]

First one once again! Love your videos! ❤

[@Britec09]

Yay! Thank you!

[@maciejmizgalski6112]

I have 23H2 - brand new install - i wanted to check this option... but i dont see it :( Win11Pro. Any tips why?

[@maximumsim]

It's only on the Insider Preview version at the moment. I'm not sure when it will be released on the normal version though.

[@yonu5983]

At last Microsoft did some6thing useful. Happy New Brian from the States. 🎉 🥳

[@Rood67]

Isn’t malware and viruses considered files; with several placing entries in the registry? Maybe I’m missing something, but isn’t this the number one reason people reinstall windows?

[@writerpatrick]

It would affect files in the Windows directory but if the virus exists on a program file it wouldn't likely be affected, other than a virus scan.

[@LukaReeson]

What about drivers for mobo? Does these stay as well?

[@martysusanf]

If this new feature allows you to save all installed apps it would be worth my while. But I don't see anywhere where it allows you to keep all your installed apps without having to reinstall them.

[@Britec09]

you see me do it in video?

[@wardenofthenorth-w5d]

Did once very great, but need to do it again, guess I can uninstall an update, then try to use it?? My PC keeps crashing when I play game, Apex for a few minutes, dota - maybe 15-20mins..

[@oc2phish07]

Do you know if this repair is likely to fix a missing DBGCORE.DLL issue? Thanks.

[@tomwaller6893]

I use OTS TV Broadcaster and it is not installed in the programme folder. I bet it will not keep that as it is a folder on the C Boot drive.

[@richardbarrett8365]

I for one still prefer Win 7. I have used MS since DOS and everytime they come close to fixing a OS they create another one with a lot of holes in it. Simpler is better and now days it is full of crap just to give them an excuse to try improve it for more money. I would rather see MS broken up into little bitty pieces.

[@MtnNerd]

That's only fine if you never want to use new programs

[@jameswubbolt7787]

Getting closer to switching.

[@gurugeorge]

Got to say, that's a genuine advance. Two cheers for Microsoft!

[@AlyssaMcNeil]

Basically it's just the "SFC" command, but with an interface, duh, nothing new. Also been re-installing Windows on a current installation since Windows XP times, always worked well, no need to format the entire Disk.

[@YouTube2020N]

Hello is there an USB version of this same ?? as the issue is my problem i m trying to fix is that the windows update is stuck too 0% downloading. and this is for all the updates. also there are old files which keep updating again and again,. and its also stuck the windows repair version stuck at 0% ... please help

[@robertcromwell9736]

I have had to reinstall win 10 2x in the last year because updates kept crashing. AND I kept my settings and programs. And no new key required.

[@KaptainSpaulding]

So your video dated 12/17/23 basically does the same thing? A few more steps but the end result is the same?

[@MEC4D]

This option is sadly no more available on my win11 the 23H2 update drives me nuts and there is no solution to it, already tried everything .. Can't do clean reinstall , in the middle of an important project .. Oh well

[@freedomearthmoon1]

Do you know if it will work if you performed a hack upgrade to Windows 11 on a unsupported CPU?

[@jimtheflea]

First problem is what is a insider edition and where do you get it?

[@SoheiJayce]

It's in all of them now.

[@Uglylizard66]

Well Brian seems this will be very welcome as long they don't mess up the apps left over and there path still intact

[@Aryka69]

But will it work when windows update is completely missing and reinstalling windows 11 over the top of it didn't help

[@jrose-xp6tf]

Reset this PC is all grown-up now...I hope it works.

[@tonywise198]

If Microsoft's track record for functioning trouble-shooters etc is anything to go by, I would stick with images myself. If it is consistent, though, it will be a boon after all these years.