Are you experiencing issues on your Windows 10 PC? Want to repair the Windows 10 installation but don’t want to lose apps and precious data? Here is how to repair the Windows 10 installation without losing programs and files.
Windows 10 Settings allows you to reset Windows 10 installation by keeping personal files. However, in the process, it removes your installed apps, including classic desktop programs.
If you have tens of programs installed on your Windows 10 PC and tons of data, there is no point in resetting your Windows 10 installation as it doesn’t offer an option to keep installed apps.
If you are experiencing issues on your Windows 10 PC and want to repair the installation to fix all problems without losing installed programs and data, use this guide to repair Windows 10 installation without losing data and apps.
To proceed with this guide, you will need either Windows 10 ISO, bootable USB of Windows 10, or Windows 10 bootable DVD.
Will I lose programs and data if I repair Windows 10?
No, you will not lose data or the installed apps if you repair the Windows 10 installation if you follow all steps without any deviations. Besides, it will not affect your Windows 10 activation in any way.
Repair Windows 10 installation without losing data and apps
IMPORTANT: As pointed out, this method will preserve your apps and data. However, we recommend you back up all data to a safe place just in case if something goes terribly wrong during the repair.
Step 1: Skip this step if you have the ISO image or bootable media of Windows 10. Else, download the latest version of Windows 10 from Microsoft using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. You can refer to our download Windows 10 from Microsoft guide for step-by-step directions.
Remember that you don’t need to download the Windows 10 ISO if you have a bootable DVD or bootable USB of Windows 10. It’s important to note that the ISO or bootable media must be the same version of Windows 10 that you currently installed on your PC.
Step 2: Navigate to the folder containing the Windows 10 ISO image, right-click on the ISO, and then click the Mount option to mount the ISO image. Open This PC to see a new drive. Right-click on the new drive in This PC and then click Open in new window option to open it.
If you have the bootable USB or bootable DVD of Windows 10, connect them to your PC, right-click on the USB drive in This PC, and then click Open in new window option to open the bootable USB or DVD.
Step 3: In the root folder of ISO/DVD/USB, you will see the Setup (.exe) file. Double-click on the Setup file to launch the Windows 10 setup.
Click the Yes button if you see the User Account Control screen.
Step 4: You will get the “Get important updates” screen. Select Not right now option and then check or uncheck I want to help make the installation of Windows a better option.
Click the Next button. You will see the “We are getting a few things ready” screen for a few seconds.
Step 5: Next, you will get the license agreement screen. Agree to the license agreement by selecting the “I accept the license terms” checkbox and then click the Next button. The setup will now check if your PC has enough space and meets minimum system requirements.
Step 6: In a few minutes, you will get the “Ready to install” screen. This is the most crucial step in the procedure. At this screen, make sure that the Install Windows 10 Home/Pro and Keep personal files and apps options are selected. If not, click the Change what to keep link, and then select the Keep personal files and apps option to repair your Windows 10 install without losing your data and installed apps.
Finally, click the Install button to begin repairing your Windows 10 installation. It might take up to an hour to complete the repair or installation.
Once done, you will see the lock screen of Windows 10. Press the Enter key and then type your user account password. Windows 10 will display the sign-in animation for a few seconds before taking you to the desktop.
That’s it! You have successfully repaired the Windows 10 installation without losing apps and data. You may check if the installed apps and your saved data are intact. Once the repair job is done, we suggest you go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update page and click the Check for Updates button to download and install any recently released updates.
You might also like to know how to easily backup data from an unbootable PC guide.
Greg says
This process seems to have alleviated an MSI database corruption on my system. It was preventing installation/removal of MS Visual C++ redistributable library. Revo Uninstaller was able to remove the library but the issue was really the MSI corruption so it did not solve the problem on its own. I am hopeful that as I run apps I do not find any issues with them no longer being able to run correctly. Fingers crossed Y
Timhum89 says
Hi there can anybody offer me any guidance for how I can regain access to a Lenovo thinkpad t14 gen 1 laptop after losing the password? You see the situation is slightly more complicated than just a forgotten password. The laptop was given to me by a company that I used to work for that I no longer work for. After leaving that company to another one they changed my password somehow. Also there is a bit locker encryption which I do not have the password to. My goal is to salvage my personal data from the laptop somehow. Without being able to request the passcode from my previous employer seeing how I left the company and went to work for a competitor of theirs… Any advice on the subject will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Erwin says
There is no way to reinstall from USB and keep your apps and data like it was before? I’ve done that but after reinstall I have a Windows.old folder where my old data and apps are saved but the new system is EMPTY. In older versions of Windows only the Windows folder was changed, the rest remain the same, user files and program files are already there.
Ken says
This should be listed as how to fix a windows 10 OS that already works and does not need fixing!
Useless article.
Javier says
A lot of BS… people asking questions… nobody answers… it is obvious and easy to perform clean instal or repair from a machine that already boots… the issue is when the PC has a corrupt startup.
There are literally thousands of articles exactly like his one…
Jurek says
Hi,
Unfotunately, it is the boot system on my Win 10 that needs repairs. When I start the process in Windows, it is only possible when I run Windows from another drive. And, indeed, the new installation wants to repair the drive that I have no problem with. Also, it is important to know that installation from a bootable USB does not allow preserving data and applications. So, I am stuck. My applications are important but some have been nursed for years (e.g., GIS) and reinstalling them is a poor choice.
admin says
Sorry, replaying very late but this might help others. For Wi-Fi issues: try reinstalling the Wi-Fi driver rather than reinstalling Windows 10:
https://www.intowindows.com/how-to-reinstall-the-wireless-wi-fi-driver-in-windows-10/
KreatorB says
THANK YOU WORKED Perfectly!
Liebaert says
Very useful article but I have a question :
Is it possible to repair an installation on another disk than the one from with PC was started ?
I didn’t find any answer about that.
Pergaps you have one
Brian Kochera says
I have accessed this site with my Android OxygenOS OnePlus 5 cell phone. My Windows 10 home Ed will not boot. I do not have a boot able DVD or USB drive with Windows 10 on it. What now?
Mr Neil Ballinger says
every time I turn on my computer it halts saying floppy disk something, press f2 to continue or f12 I think it is to enter something else. after pressing f2 it loads as normal, but I don’t have a floppy disk drive, is there any way of sorting this. its a win xp running win 10.
Arvin says
Hi,
Thank you INTO WINDOWS guys for your dedication.
I came across this WIFI issue just today and I tried all those above and in the end, I reinstalled my windows 10. To my surprise, the problem is still existing.
What do you think I should do now?
Regards,
Steve says
Thank heavens for this tutorial, my lan network access had gone and no amount of tweaking would get it back. Tried this as a last resort before a fresh install and it worked perfect.
JJ van der Vlugt says
How to fix windows that isn’t booting?
Step one first boot into Windows to create a bootable fixit tool.
Step two …..
Nice piece of useless information for a non bootable Windows 10 machine.
Rio says
such a shame this isn’t true. I have done this quite a few times and still end up having to reinstall nearly everything.
Kelly says
So, I can’t get into windows because a windows startup file is corrupted. How can I get to this options from the bootable USB without booting into windows first???
Brian says
Hello,
Thanks for the detailed information. I have an issue with a file history error 605 with ill formed data, and all suggested command prompt repairs have not had any success. I have many programs installed such as Cyberlink PowerDirector, Adope Photoshop, etc. and all there sub apps. Can you confirm all these programs be ok if I select “keep personal files & apps” or will only Microsoft apps be saved.
Thanks
Brian
Walter Finnin says
Just wanted to shout out a BIG Thank you for all of the great and useful tips and articles that I find to be so helpful.