Reinstalling Windows 11 can refresh your system and fix certain issues, but it may also result in losing apps and personal data. This tutorial aims to quell such fears by providing a step-by-step guide to reinstall Windows 11 without losing any apps or files. We will cover all the prerequisites, potential risks involved, and 3 fail-safe methods to reinstall Windows 11 without losing apps and files.
Preparation Before Reinstalling Windows 11
To ensure a smooth reinstallation process, some preparation is required beforehand. This involves both hardware and software readiness.
Backup Your Data
It is always better to be safe than sorry. So start by backing up your crucial files and data. This will allow you to restore any important data if things go sideways during the reinstallation.
Here are the steps to backup files on Windows 11:
Step 1: Open Control Panel by searching for “Control Panel” and open the tool menu by clicking on it.
Step 2: Click on Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Step 3: Click on Create a system image in the left-hand menu to launch the backup wizard.
Step 4: Choose where you want to save the backup and click Next.
Step 5: Click on Start backup and wait until the process finishes.
Tips: Schedule regular backups always to have a recent copy of important data
List of Installed Apps
Make a quick note of all the apps and programs currently installed on your system. This will help you to easily reinstall apps that don’t automatically return after the OS reinstallation.
You can use the following steps to list installed apps:
Step 1: Search for Installed apps and open the Settings panel
Step 2: Scroll down to view the list of apps with names and install dates
Step 3: Note down apps that you may need to reinstall later manually
Potential Risks and How to Reduce Risks in Reinstalling Windows 11 without Losing Apps
While this guide aims to help reinstall Windows 11 risk-free, it’s advisable to be aware of potential pitfalls to avoid them.
Data Loss
There is a slight chance of important data being lost during the reinstallation process. This can occur due to disk formatting errors, unexpected interruptions in the process, etc.
This risk can be easily mitigated by taking a full backup before starting the reinstallation. Keep the backup on an external drive to ensure the safety of data.
App Loss
Certain apps may fail to automatically restore from the cloud or Windows Store after the OS reinstallation. Note down the list of installed apps beforehand to keep track of any such missing apps. You can then selectively reinstall only those apps that don’t return.
Driver Issues
Reinstallation may end up causing issues with specific drivers, especially those related to external devices. Before initiating the OS reinstallation, list essential hardware like printers, scanners, etc., and keep their drivers at hand. After reinstalling Windows 11, you can update the drivers manually if needed.
3 Effective Methods to Reinstall Windows 11 Without Losing Apps
Now let’s get down to the actual reinstallation process. We will go through 3 different methods that allow you to safely reinstall Windows 11 without losing apps or data.
The methods covered are:
Reinstall Windows 11 by Mounting an ISO File
Reinstall Windows 11 via Reset PC
Clean install Windows 11 from USB
Reinstall Windows 11 by Mounting an ISO File
Downloading the Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft and mounting it to reinstall is straightforward. Just follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit this website and download the Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft website.
Step 2: After downloading the .ISO file, right-click on it and choose Mount.
Step 3: Open Windows 11 setup.exe from the mounted drive with administrator privilege by right-clicking on it and choosing Run as administrator.
Step 4: Click Yes if you see this prompt.
Step 5: Choose Next to start installing Windows 11.
Step 6: After checking for updates, the setup will ask you to read license terms. Click Accept to proceed.
Step 7: Before installing, Windows 11 Setup gives you options to keep your files or not. Click on Choose what to keep to make your choice.
Step 8: Choose what you want to keep and click Next.
Step 9: Click Install to begin re-installing Windows.
Step 10: Wait until the installation finishes, and you will be able to access a freshly new Windows 11.
Tips: Disable antivirus and close other programs before starting the setup to avoid interruptions.
Reinstall Windows 11 via Reset PC
The Reset PC option in Windows 11 allows OS refreshing without external media. This feature lets you retain personal files and some Windows apps. You can choose whether to remove other installed apps or retain them. Here is how to reinstall Windows 11 using this method:
To initiate the Windows reset process, follow these steps in a professional manner:
Step 1: Open Settings > System > Recovery
Step 2: Within the Reset this PC section, select Reset PC.
Step 3: Opt for Keep my files.
Step 4: Now, choose Local reinstall.
Note: If you encounter any issues or cannot perform a local reinstall, you can reinstall Windows via Cloud download. Please ensure that your computer is connected to the internet for this process to proceed smoothly.
Step 5: Select Next.
Step 6: Finally, select Reset to begin reinstalling Windows 11. Your computer will restart once the reinstallation is complete.
Note:
Ensure that the AC adapter is connected throughout the reset process and avoid forcing a shutdown to prevent any potential issues.
Clean install Windows 11 from USB
Before commencing the process, please ensure you have the following prerequisites in place:
A stable internet connection.
A blank USB drive with a minimum storage capacity of 8GB is designated for creating a bootable USB drive using the media creation tool. It is strongly recommended to use a completely empty USB drive as any existing content will be erased during the creation process.
Take note of the current edition of Windows 11 installed on the PC where you intend to perform a clean installation. You will require this information during the Windows installation process. To find your Windows edition, navigate to Settings > System > About and locate your Windows edition under Windows specifications.
Insert the USB drive into your Windows device, ensuring it is accessible for creating a bootable USB drive using the media creation tool when needed.
Now, proceed to create Windows 11 Installation Media by following the steps below:
Step 1: On your Windows device, open this website to download Windows 11 Installation Media.
Step 2: Execute the media creation tool file once the download is complete. Please note that administrative privileges are necessary to run this tool.
Step 3: If you agree to the license terms, select the Accept option.
Step 4: De-select the "Use the recommended options for this PC" checkbox to choose the appropriate language and edition. Also, click Next to continue.
Step 5: Choose USB flash drive and click Next.
Step 6: Select the bootable USB flash drive with a minimum of 8GB of available space you have previously prepared, then click Next.
Note: Please remember that any data on the USB flash drive will be erased.
Step 7: The USB device will be formatted, and the Windows installation media will be copied onto the USB flash drive.
Step 8: Your USB flash drive is now ready to serve as bootable Windows 11 Installation Media. Select Finish.
Before proceeding further, ensure you have backed up all the content you wish to retain from the Windows device where you plan to perform a clean installation. This includes items such as photos, documents, application files, and more.
With your installation media now prepared, you may proceed to clean and install Windows 11 on your device by following these steps:
Step 1: Attach the USB flash drive to the PC where you intend to perform the clean installation of Windows 11.
Step 2: Restart your PC while holding the Shift key to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
Step 3: Once in WinRE, select Use a device.
Step 4: Choose the bootable USB device you have just created.
Step 5: On the Windows Setup page, select your preferred language, time zone, and keyboard preferences, and then click Next.
Step 6: Choose Install now.
Step 7: On the Activate Windows page, select I don't have a product key if you are reinstalling the same edition of Windows. Your copy of Windows will automatically activate later after reconnecting your Microsoft Account. Click Next.
Step 8: On Select the operating system you want to install page, choose the same edition of Windows 11 as determined at the beginning of this instruction, and then select Next.
Step 9: If you agree to the Microsoft Software License Terms, click on this line to accept, then select Next.
Step 10: Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) as the installation type. Ensure that you have backed up all content on your PC before proceeding.
Step 11: Select the hard drive on your PC where you want to install Windows, and then click Next. The Windows installation process will commence.
Step 12: Wait until the process finishes, and do not power off your PC during this process.
Note:
You do not need to format the drive or delete existing partitions. Simply choose the Primary partition where the Windows OS is installed, and setup will proceed as expected, including reusing any previously existing additional partitions (e.g., Recovery partition, etc.).
If your PC fails to detect a hard drive during installation, you may need to load a driver. Refer to the PC manufacturer’s website to locate the necessary driver.
If the partition you've selected contains files from a previous Windows installation, you will receive a message about the "Windows.old" folder, where those files will be relocated. Click "OK" to acknowledge the message. The Windows installation process will continue. Please do not power off your PC.
Once Windows is successfully installed, your PC will restart. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the device setup.
FAQs:
1. How to easily reinstall Windows 11 without the bloatware?
Perform clean install of Windows 11 by booting from a USB drive. Choose the custom install option and delete all partitions to wipe the drive completely before starting fresh OS installation. This removes any preinstalled apps and provides pure Windows 11.
2. Do I have to redownload everything on Windows 11?
No, you don't necessarily have to download everything again on Windows 11 after reinstallation. Personal files and certain apps sync automatically from the cloud. For other apps, you may have to selectively reinstall only those which don't return automatically.
3. What gets deleted when you install Windows 11?
It depends on the reinstallation method chosen. If you opt to retain personal files while reinstalling, your data is left untouched. Doing a clean install deletes everything including apps, settings and personal files.
4. Does reinstalling Windows 11 remove viruses?
Yes, reinstalling Windows 11 can effectively remove stubborn viruses, malware or other
persistent infections. Wiping the drive and performing a clean OS installation gets rid of any viruses lingering in the system.
Summary
This guide covered the necessary preparation, potential risks and step-by-step methods to safely reinstall Windows 11 without losing apps or data. Proper backup, compatibility checks, noting down apps and carefully following visual instructions are essential.
An important recommendation is immediately installing WPS Office after a fresh Windows 11 setup. WPS Office provides an accessible and full-fledged office suite to meet your editing needs immediately. Combined with the reinstallation tips here, you can optimize Windows 11 performance.
