How to avoid this ?

I feel a need to reset my windows but don't want to loose my APPS and who knows what else:

Matthew Wai said:

Two Solutions to Refresh Windows 10 Without Losing Programs
See whether "Solution 2" serves your need.

Yep, looks like only option, I'm downloading 20H2 ISO now and will go for setup.exe. I was so sure that reset from internet would do.
Done it like that already on Insider Dev.

CountMike said:

Yep, looks like only option, I'm downloading 20H2 ISO now and will go for setup.exe. I was so sure that reset from internet would do.
Done it like that already on Insider Dev.

Mike,

That's a Repair install.

The common recovery options are shown in
Recovery options in Windows 10 - Windows Help
and there is a TenForumsTutorial for each one, including
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade - TenForumsTutorials

All the best,
Denis

I did "In place upgrade" from latest ISO released. Several programs had to be reinstalled because they wouldn't work any more but nothing very important. There was windows.old but standard disk cleanup didn't even notice it, had to use cleanmgr.exe in admin mode. Then it worked.
After the procedure I run check for updates and it installed latest .NET 3.5 updates.
Most of my custom settings were also reset although that's what I thought would happen. It just makes sense as this procedure is supposed to bring everything to defaults to fix problems caused by bad/wrong settings. After making sure that everything works, I just restored my settings saved with Winaero tweaker.
Yesterday's CU installed with no problems.

Mike,

CountMike said:

I did "In place upgrade" from latest ISO released. Several programs had to be reinstalled because they wouldn't work any more ...

That is unusual. I have never experienced that.

CountMike said:

There was windows.old but standard disk cleanup didn't even notice it, had to use cleanmgr.exe in admin mode. Then it worked.

That is normal.

CountMike said:

It just makes sense as this procedure is supposed to bring everything to defaults to fix problems caused by bad/wrong settings.

No, the procedure replaces Windows files. It can affect some Settings but that is not its objective.

Denis

Try3 said:

Mike,


That is unusual. I have never experienced that.


That is normal.


No, the procedure replaces Windows files. It can affect some Settings but that is not its objective.

Denis

Hi Denis, programs that I had to reinstall were Passmark Ptest and HWinfo64 and couple more.
cleanmgr.exe always worked in full when invoked from Disk Properties but I might have it set to run as administrator long time ago, don't remember now.
A lot (over 20) custom settings were removed, that I know for sure.

Mike,

CountMike said:

cleanmgr.exe always worked in full when invoked from Disk Properties

Cleanmgr always requires Admin permission to remove system files.
When invoked from disk properties, it is a separate button Clean up system files
You're not using the Built-In Admin account for day-to-day tasks are you?

CountMike said:

A lot (over 20) custom settings were removed, that I know for sure.

I thought you meant entries in Settings. I now think you mean Registry changes that you have done. Such tweaks are always at risk of being overwritten by Version updates.

Denis

Try3 said:

Mike,


Cleanmgr always requires Admin permission to remove system files.
When invoked from disk properties, it is a separate button Clean up system files
You're not using the Built-In Admin account for day-to-day tasks are you?


I thought you meant entries in Settings. I now think you mean Registry changes that you have done. Such tweaks are always at risk of being overwritten by Version updates.

Denis

Lol, no, standard admin account only, tried highest but risks override usefulness anyway.
Yes, registry and other changes (mostly cosmetic) I made, as far I can see no APPs were harmed.