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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For the Windows 11 installation-media upgrade started from within the Windows session already running, choosing Keep personal files only keeps and migrates personal files, but removes installed apps and Windows settings. Microsoft does not publish a complete folder-by-folder definition of “personal files,” so back up any files or application data you cannot afford to lose.
What the three keep choices do
In the documented Windows 11 Setup flow, run from inside your existing Windows installation, Setup offers three choices. Microsoft’s detailed description says the personal-files-only option keeps and migrates personal files while deleting apps and Windows settings.
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| Setup choice | Personal files | Installed apps | Windows settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep personal files and apps | Kept | Kept | Not stated by Microsoft’s description of this choice |
| Keep personal files only | Kept and migrated | Removed | Deleted |
| Keep nothing | Not kept | Removed | Not kept |
These choices and their broad effects are described in Microsoft’s Windows 11 installation instructions. The exact choices available can depend on the setup flow and conditions on the PC; do not assume every option will always appear.
Are Documents, Pictures, and Videos kept?
Microsoft’s general rule is that personal files are kept and migrated, but its instructions do not list every included folder. Documents, Pictures, and Videos are ordinary personal folders, but the broad wording is not a folder-by-folder guarantee. Back them up before starting if they matter.
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What about AppDataRoaming and C:ProgramData?
A Microsoft-hosted Q&A response dated September 13, 2026 says ordinary files under a user profile remain available, while AppData folders and C:ProgramData are not retained in the active installation. It also says older content may be moved under C:Windows.old. This is community guidance, not an official Microsoft guarantee; do not rely on Windows.old being present or complete. Back up irreplaceable application settings, profiles, saved state, and other app-specific data separately.
Do not confuse an in-place upgrade with booting from installation media
For the in-place path discussed here, launch Setup from the running Windows session and follow its prompts. Booting the PC from installation media is a different operation: Microsoft describes that route as a fresh installation and warns that it wipes the existing Windows installation, including files and installed apps. The route you take changes what happens to the current installation.
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Back up before choosing personal files only
- Copy important personal files and application-specific data to a separate location, such as an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or cloud location; Microsoft recommends backing up important data before reinstalling Windows.
- Start the installation media’s Setup program from within the Windows session if you intend to use the in-place upgrade route.
- Review the keep option shown by Setup. Choose Keep personal files only only if you accept removing installed apps and Windows settings.
- If the option you expect is unavailable or the screens differ from the documented flow, stop and check the applicable installation instructions before continuing. The available evidence does not establish one universal reason a choice may be missing.
Microsoft’s wording is not fully consistent across its support pages: its detailed Windows 11 installation page says Windows settings are deleted, while its separate installation-media reinstall page says personal data and settings are preserved. For this Windows 11 Setup choice, use the detailed Windows 11 instructions and do not count on settings surviving.
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