If Windows still opens on your AVITA Altum, the data-preserving Windows installation route is to start setup.exe from inside Windows—not to boot from a USB and run a clean installation. Back up your files first, then check the installer’s keep options before proceeding. If Windows will not start, do not assume a USB clean install will save your files: recover or back them up before installing.
Choose the recovery route that matches your situation
These options are not interchangeable. In particular, “keep my files” during a reset does not preserve installed apps, and a clean install from boot media is destructive.
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| Option | Must Windows start? | Personal files | Apps and settings | USB media | Manufacturer recovery content |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
In-place reinstall: run setup.exe from Windows |
Yes | Can be kept if the installer offers the relevant choice | Can be kept with “Keep personal files and apps”; otherwise apps may be removed | Yes, for installation media | Generic Microsoft media may not include manufacturer-specific drivers or factory apps |
| Reset this PC > Keep my files | Usually launched from Windows or recovery options | Microsoft says personal files are retained | Apps and settings are removed | Not necessarily | Depends on the recovery source |
| Clean install from boot media | No | Removed from the selected installation target | Apps, settings, and manufacturer customizations are removed | Yes | Generic Microsoft media does not guarantee factory-specific content |
Microsoft describes an in-place installation using installation media as reinstalling Windows without affecting personal files, settings, or installed applications, but the installer’s available choices matter. Microsoft also warns that a clean installation removes personal files, apps, manufacturer customizations, and settings. See Microsoft’s installation-media instructions and its Windows recovery options overview.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →If Windows opens: reinstall from within Windows
- Back up important files. Copy them to external storage or a cloud location you can access independently of the laptop. Microsoft recommends a backup before reinstalling, including when you intend to keep files.
- Check whether a less disruptive repair will solve the problem. Microsoft recommends starting with the least disruptive suitable recovery option; a reinstall may not be necessary for every Windows issue.
- Create or obtain Windows installation media. Microsoft specifies a USB drive of at least 8 GB for installation media. Creating a recovery drive erases the USB drive’s existing contents, so use an empty one or copy its contents elsewhere first. See Microsoft’s media instructions and Recovery Drive guidance.
- Open the USB drive in File Explorer and run
setup.exe. Do this while signed in to the existing Windows session. Do not restart and boot from the USB for this in-place route. - Review the keep choices. Choose Change what to keep, then select Keep personal files and apps if offered. If you are willing to reinstall applications afterward, Keep personal files only is another option.
- Stop if the expected keep choice is missing. Do not click Install on the assumption your files will remain. Check that the installation media matches the installed Windows language, edition, and version, confirm your backup, and resolve compatibility before continuing.
- Proceed only after confirming the summary. Let setup complete, then sign in and verify that your files and required apps are present.
For a reset that keeps files but removes apps
If Windows starts and you want a reset rather than an in-place reinstall, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, then choose Keep my files. This preserves personal files according to Microsoft, but removes apps and settings. Back up first; this is not the same as the setup route that may keep apps and settings. Read Microsoft’s Reset your PC guidance before confirming the reset.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
“How do I reinstall Windows with bootable device without losing data?”
Booting a laptop from installation media and choosing a clean install is not the file-preserving method. Microsoft’s clean-install instructions warn that the process removes personal files, apps, settings, and manufacturer customizations from the installation target. When Windows still runs, start setup from inside Windows and use an available keep-files choice instead.
If Windows will not start, first arrange a verified backup or recover the files using a method appropriate to your situation. Microsoft explains how installation media can boot a nonfunctional PC, but the clean-install route does not preserve the files on the selected target. The available guidance does not establish an AVITA Altum-specific offline method that retains files, so do not proceed with a clean install until data is safe.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
AVITA Altum-specific checks before changing Windows
The Microsoft steps above are general Windows guidance, not a confirmed Altum-specific procedure. The available sources do not verify an Altum boot-menu key, recovery image, driver package, or Windows 11 compatibility. An AVITA page for the Essential describes a different product and notes that specifications can vary by country; it should not be used to infer Altum hardware or firmware steps. Check the exact model and region on your laptop’s label, then contact the applicable regional AVITA support channel before using model-specific boot or recovery instructions: AVITA Hong Kong support, AVITA India support, or AVITA India contact.
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Also check which Windows edition and version are installed and verify compatibility before changing operating systems. Microsoft states that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; that date does not establish that every Altum can run Windows 11.
Rank #3
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After Windows is reinstalled
Connect the laptop to the internet and check activation. Microsoft says Windows usually activates automatically once online, and recommends linking the digital license to a Microsoft account before reinstalling. Install the same Windows edition associated with your license; changing editions can prevent activation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Note: This is only compatible with Apple devices that have a USB‑C port (including iPhone 15 and later, as well as all iPads with USB‑C). Using a Lightning to USB‑C adapter will not resolve the compatibility issue.
Rank #4
- 【Upgraded version】 - The mirror logo strip is combined with the striped non-slip design. The rounded corners of the shell are more suitable for holding. The strips play a heat dissipation function to ensure a stable and fast transmission process.
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- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
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