Although you’ll keep all your files and software, reinstalling will remove some items like custom fonts, system icons, and Wi-Fi credentials. However, as part of the process, the setup will also create a Windows file. Old folder, which should contain everything from your previous installation.

  • Boot from it and then click through the initial language screen to get to the ‘Repair your computer’ link.
  • MiniTool ShadowMaker helps to back up system and files before the disaster occurs.
  • There are many ways to boot into safe mode in Windows 10, and each method is useful depending on the problem you are dealing with.
  • Here, select Advanced Options to enter the Windows Recovery Environment .

This time too, it is a no different affair. As per the claims made by Microsoft, the Windows 11 is the most inclusively designed version ever. As a result, it is the best Windows ever for gaming, and comes with great opportunities for developers. The installation process was pretty straight forward. I noticed the start-up time drop by at least 40 seconds when using this Windows 11 Lite build. Depending on your system hardware, you may have even better luck.

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MiniTool Photo RecoveryQuick, easy solution for media file disaster recovery. You will be returned to normal Windows 10. Open the Recovery tab on the Updates and Security Menu.

After backing up your important personal files or installation programs, you can choose to reset your PC or perform a clean install. These two options are commonly used in case of system breakdown, so we will show you how to use them for PC reinstallation. If your PC cannot boot up, fresh reset is not useful. Here, you can choose to reset your PC or perform a clean install.

Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. ZDNet’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. Click “Browse” and select the Windows VHDX downloaded above.

Upgrade the device you’re on

Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. Ciprian Adrian Rusen is a Microsoft MVP and Windows expert. His 7tutorials.com blog has more than 1.3 million monthly readers who look to him for insight into technology in general and Windows in particular. Windows will restart for the second time, and you will be prompted with startup settings. Here you will see numerous options, but we are interested only in booting into safe mode.

As others have stated, there are operating systems that are less intrusive and require no PII. Ubuntu, for example, comes with a complete, free, office suite, and installs in less than 1/2 hour. If I’d be forced to create a MS account to upgrade from Windows 10, I’ll just switch from dual-boot to Linux-only. And I have win11 pro, so this will affect me eventually… maybe, I don’t know if I will have to ever install win11 again in this computer. Microsoft has banned email addresses that were used too often in the account creation process. You may use this to download drivers your advantage, as it allows you to skip the Microsoft account creation or sign-in phase during setup.

If you’re unhappy with the Windows 11 beta, there are ways to return to a stable Windows 10 build. “Microsoft releases physical copies of Windows 11 to retail partners”. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Windows 11 builds that have this color are the latest public version of Windows 11.