Reinstall Windows 11, Keep Files and Apps: Two Safe Methods

You can reinstall Windows 11, keep files, apps and settings, and do it without touching a USB drive or wiping anything. Windows 11 has a built-in option that does it through Windows Update, and a Windows 11 ISO gives you a second route if that one is missing or fails. Both replace the system files that make up Windows while leaving your user data where it is. They are the right tools when Windows is badly broken but still starts: updates fail repeatedly, built-in apps crash, or system file checks keep finding problems they cannot fix.

Which reinstall option keeps what

Microsoft’s recovery options differ mainly in what survives.

Option	Personal files	Apps	Settings
Fix problems using Windows Update (Reinstall now)	Kept	Kept	Kept
In-place repair from ISO, “Keep personal files and apps”	Kept	Kept	Kept
In-place repair from ISO, “Keep personal files only”	Kept	Removed	Kept
Reset this PC, “Keep my files”	Kept	Removed	Reset
Clean install	Removed	Removed	Removed

Start at the top. Only move down the table if the gentler option is unavailable or does not fix the problem.

Before you reinstall

These methods are designed to keep your data, but a backup costs little and protects you if something goes wrong midway, such as a power cut.

• Copy important files to an external drive or OneDrive.
• Keep a laptop plugged in for the whole process.
• Stay connected to the internet. The Windows Update method downloads the repair files.
• Free up some space if the drive is nearly full. Low disk space alone can cause update failures.

It is also worth trying the lighter repairs first if you have not: our guides to running SFC /scannow and DISM /RestoreHealth take minutes and fix many cases of file corruption.

Method 1: Fix problems using Windows Update

This option reinstalls the same version of Windows 11 you already have. Microsoft says it repairs system files and components and preserves your apps, files and settings.

1. Open Settings > System > Recovery.
2. Under Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now.
3. In the window that opens, choose whether to let the PC restart automatically 15 minutes after the installation finishes.
4. Select OK.
5. Settings switches to the Windows Update page and starts downloading a repair version of the latest update that installed successfully on your PC. It then installs it.
6. Restart when prompted, or let the automatic restart happen if you allowed it.

You may also see this offered automatically. When an update fails because of damaged system files, Windows Update can show a message recommending that you reinstall your current version of Windows, with a Reinstall now button that opens the same tool.

If the option is not there

Microsoft lists a few reasons it can be missing:

• The PC is managed by work or school, or update policies are configured (for example, a WSUS server or deferral policies). In that case, ask your IT department.
• The PC is running an older build. The option needs Windows 11 version 22H2 or later with the February 2024 optional update or newer. Current Windows 11 releases include it.

Method 2: in-place repair from the ISO

An in-place repair runs the full Windows 11 installer from inside Windows and installs over the top of your current system. It works when Windows Update cannot.

Match the ISO to your system. To keep apps, the ISO should be the same edition (Home or Pro) and the same language as your installed Windows, and the same version or newer. Check Settings > System > About for the edition and version, and Settings > Time & language > Language & region for the language. Then get the right image from our Windows 11 ISO download guide.

1. In File Explorer, right-click the ISO and select Mount. It appears as a new drive.
2. Open that drive and double-click setup.exe. Select Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
3. Follow the prompts. If setup offers to get updates, drivers and optional features, letting it do so is generally a good idea.
4. Accept the license terms.
5. When you reach the screen that summarises what will be installed, select Change what to keep and choose one of:
   • Keep personal files and apps: preserves your data, apps and settings.
   • Keep personal files only: keeps data and settings, removes apps.
   • Keep nothing: removes everything.
6. Select Next, then Install.

The PC restarts several times. When you sign in, your desktop, files and apps should be where you left them.

If “Keep personal files and apps” is greyed out, the ISO usually does not match your edition, language or version. Download the correct one rather than choosing a lower option by accident.

You can also use a USB drive made with the Media Creation Tool in the same way: open it in File Explorer and run setup.exe from Windows. See creating a Windows 11 bootable USB.

After the reinstall

1. Open Settings > Windows Update and install anything pending.
2. Check Settings > System > Activation. A reinstall of the same edition keeps activation.
3. Open the apps you use most to confirm they still work. A few apps that hook deeply into Windows, such as some security software or drivers, may need to be reinstalled.
4. Re-check whichever problem made you reinstall.

When to go further

If neither method fixes the problem, or Windows will not start, the next steps are Reset this PC and, if that fails too, a clean install of Windows 11. Both remove your apps, so make a full backup first.