For several reasons, you might want to reinstall your Windows 11 PC, for example, if your PC has a persistent problem, battery and app issues, or needs to return from the Windows Insider Preview build to a stable build. Unlike the previous Windows versions, reinstalling Windows 11 is a pretty simple process, and you can do it without losing your files and a bootable USB disk. Here is how it is.
Windows 11 offers two options to reinstall the operating system without losing your files or needing a USB bootable media. Apart from the old Reset This PC option, the Windows 11 Moment 5 update brings a new option dubbed “Fix problems using Windows Update” to install the current version of the operating system again without losing files.
The “Reset This PC” and the new “Fix problems using Windows Update” options reinstall the current version of the operating system, but the difference is that the first only keeps your files, while the second option keeps your apps, files, and settings.
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How to Reinstall Windows 11 Using the Fix Problems Using Windows Update Option?
1. Open the Windows Settings app and choose the System option.
2. In System settings, select Recovery.
3. Click the Reinstall Now button next to the “Fix Problems Using Windows Update” option.
4. Check the Automatically restart my PC 15 minutes after installation option.
5. Next, click the OK button.
Windows Update will download the installation files for the current version of the OS installed on your computer. The process will perform a reinstallation to repair system components and files but keeps your files, apps, and settings intact.
How to Reinstall Windows 11 With the Reset this PC Option?
1. Launch the Settings app on your Windows 11 PC and choose the System menu.
2. Next, click on the Recovery option and click the Reset PC button.
3. Choose the Keep My Files option.
4. Next, select either the Cloud download or Local reinstall option (the Cloud Download option requires an active internet to download files)
5. Click Next and then click on the Reset button to proceed.
Windows will start the reset process, and your PC will restart after the process completes. After rebooting the system, your files saved in My Documents, My Videos, My Pictures, and My Contacts will be retained.
Note that although the above processes are non-destructive, creating a backup is still recommended before proceeding.
