Reinstall Windows 10 Pro w/o losing any data/apps, etc.

SmallTownUSA · 01 Apr 2021

Morning all,
As stated in the title, I need to reinstall Windows 10 Pro, Version 20H2 (OS build 19042.906) such that my data and apps are not destroyed. I have searched the forum and found two related tutorials:

Reinstall Windows 10 with this media

and

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Unfortunately, they both seem to be created a number of years ago. Are there any newer/better ways to achieve this?
I've done complete reinstalls in the past on other computers, but hope I don't have to do that now.

Thanks for any advice/recommendations.
Harold

dalchina · 01 Apr 2021

Hi, an in-place upgrade repair install can fix many - but not all- problems.
It will not fix problems specific to a user profile. You might want to check that by creating a new user for test purposes.

You would be wise to check your disk and file system first as a matter of course.

The tutorial is still current. Tutorials are actively maintained.

Short instructions- which I've posted many times here:

To upgrade using an iso:
a. If using build 20H2, use the MS media creation tool (Google or see tutorial) to download one.
b. Mount the iso (via rt click) - mount is not available if iso has been associated with other than file explorer
c. Open the new drive created in file explorer
d. Run Setup.exe

Tutorial available on in-place upgrade repair install - it's the same procedure.

Or you can boot normally and then run setup.exe from a bootable installation medium if you already have that.

Caveats: The major build, base language and 'bitness' of the iso and the installed O/S must match.

Bree · 01 Apr 2021

SmallTownUSA said:

...I need to reinstall Windows 10 Pro, Version 20H2 (OS build 19042.906) such that my data and apps are not destroyed. I have searched the forum and found two related tutorials...
...Unfortunately, they both seem to be created a number of years ago. Are there any newer/better ways to achieve this?

The one you want is the in-place repair install. It's as valid today as when it was first written. Unlike a number of other 'W10 help' sites, the tutorials here on Ten Forums are continually reviewed and updated, that particular one was last updated in February this year..

Reinstall Windows 10 Pro w/o losing any data/apps, etc.-image.png

SmallTownUSA · 01 Apr 2021

Many thanks to both of you for the quick response. In the coming days, I will attempt to do the reinstall as suggested.
Harold

Bob1212 · 01 Apr 2021

@dalchina @Bree I was just about to start a new thread when I saw this existing thread.

Re: Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Doesn't this part of the tutorial need to be updated: "only be able to do a repair install of Windows 10 from within Windows 10" ?

I have made a bootable USB, using Rufus and a 2004 ISO. It does boot and does start the update process automatically without having to run setup.exe explicitly. Or am I missing or misunderstanding something?

I haven't actually initiated the actual repair-in-place process yet, but I did take it as far as the screen wherein you specify "keep files and apps". Then I cancelled it.

I want to repair my 19041.1 with my already downloaded 19041.1 ISO. I'm planning on doing it from the bootable USB stick because my Win10 (though still bootable) got FUBARed via the forced March update from 1909. My currently damaged 19041.1 suffers from spurious UAC behavior (e.g., I as admin am not allowed by AUC to run Device Mgr or Disk Mgr). I cannot install updates via Windows Updates or manually from the catalog, or start the Update Troubleshooter. So a repair from a bootable USB seems to me to be more likely to succeed. Or would it be better to go into the builtin admin account and try the repair from there?

dalchina · 01 Apr 2021

Are you thinking of this newer feature
Reinstall Windows 10 with this media

- which lets you keep data but not installed programs?

And yes, best pursued as your own thread, please.

Try3 · 01 Apr 2021

Bob1212 said:

Re: Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Doesn't this part of the tutorial need to be updated: "only be able to do a repair install of Windows 10 from within Windows 10" ?
I have made a bootable USB, using Rufus and a 2004 ISO. It does boot and does start the update process automatically without having to run setup.exe explicitly. Or am I missing or misunderstanding something?

Yes, you are misunderstanding something. Something fundamental.

If you have booted to the installation media then you are not doing a Repair install [aka In-place upgrade].

Denis

Bob1212 · 02 Apr 2021

@dalchina @Try3 Thanks, I had misremembered my initial test with the Rufus-made USB, that I did 2 weeks or so ago. This all starts to blur into one, esp with the distractions of real-world problems piling up at the same time lately.