How to recover programs (and data) from Windows.old after reinstall?

vwq47 · 11 May 2018

G'day folks,
I could not boot into Windows 10 after an automatic update overnight. NOTHING I tried would give me keyboard or mouse interaction after the "cave and ocean" screen. I could use both if I booted to a USB drive but I tried everything to no avail in trying to make the OS behave. The "Repair" option was not available in the process so I was left with no option but to reinstall. On booting afterwards ALL my programs have gone. A bit surprising there is nothing indicated along these lines - I guess it's a trivial issue for MS?

Folks, is it possible to regain the "lost" software from the Windows.old file? I have looked at Macrium software, but it appears nothing there does what I need, after talking with them. I'd rather not reinstall everything and have to re personalise it.

I lost all installed software when I initially upgraded to Windows 10 18 months ago, so am not pleased with this a Microsoft "feature".

Any polite suggestions would be most useful.

Thanks folks.

Berton · 11 May 2018

I just checked one of my Notebooks and the Windows.old Folder doesn't contain third-party software/programs, only Microsoft and Windows in Program Files and Program Files (x86). None of the Version Upgrades from Win7 and Win8.1 since Win10 was released removed any installed programs on the several I did but did give warnings some wouldn't work properly and may need reinstalling. There was a choice in the Upgrade process about saving or not saving anything. A clean install does exactly that, removes everything. The Recovery section of Settings, Updates and Security has some choices.

NavyLCDR · 11 May 2018

If you reinstalled Windows, there should not be a Windows.old folder.

AddRAM · 11 May 2018

You must be doing something wrong, if you update to a new version you don`t lose anything.

And it sounds like you are not making backup images.