If Windows 11 still starts and you want to repair it without losing your installed apps, start with Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now. If that option is unavailable, run setup.exe from Windows installation media while signed in, then choose Keep personal files and apps. Do not boot from the USB for this purpose: booting from installation media follows a different, clean-install path that can remove your data.
Which Windows 11 reinstall or upgrade do you need?
“In-place upgrade” can mean either repairing the Windows 11 version already installed or moving to a newer Windows version. Those are different jobs. The built-in Windows Update repair reinstall reinstalls the current version; it does not install a newer feature version. Running Setup from media while signed in can be used for an in-place reinstall or upgrade, depending on the media and the choices offered.
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| Method | Best suited to | What is retained | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fix problems using Windows Update | Repair a Windows 11 installation that still starts | Files, apps, and settings | Reinstalls the same current version; availability varies. Microsoft’s instructions |
Run installation-media setup.exe from Windows |
Reinstall or upgrade using media | Depends on the keep option selected | Choose the retention option carefully. Microsoft’s instructions |
| Boot from installation media | Fresh installation or recovery when Windows will not start | A clean install removes personal files, apps, and settings | Not the in-place keep-apps route. Microsoft’s instructions |
| Reset this PC: Keep my files | Reset Windows while retaining personal files | Personal files | Apps and settings are removed. Microsoft’s reset guidance |
| Reset this PC: Remove everything | Start over | Nothing user-specific | Removes files, apps, and settings. Microsoft’s reset guidance |
| Uninstall an update, roll back, or use System Restore | Undo a problem linked to a recent update or system change | Varies by option | Consider the targeted recovery option before reinstalling. Microsoft’s recovery overview |
Try the built-in Windows Update repair reinstall
This is the least disruptive repair option when it appears in Settings. Microsoft describes it as reinstalling the same Windows version and preserving apps, files, and settings. Keep the device connected to power and the internet for the process.
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- Open Settings > System > Recovery.
- Under Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now.
- Review the restart preference, confirm, and let Windows complete the reinstall. If the PC does not restart automatically, restart it when prompted.
The option is not present on every device or Windows version. Microsoft notes it may be absent on versions earlier than the Windows 11 2022 Update. If you do not see it, use installation media or an appropriate recovery option instead of assuming something is wrong with Settings. See Microsoft’s availability and process guidance.
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Reinstall Windows 11 with installation media and keep apps
Use this route if the built-in repair reinstall is unavailable or you need installation media. You must be able to sign in to the existing Windows installation to follow the in-place path. If you need to make media, Microsoft documents using its Media Creation Tool and a USB flash drive; follow the current instructions at Create installation media for Windows.
- Back up important files. Save them to external storage or a cloud location before starting. Also confirm the edition you plan to install matches your Windows license.
- Open the installation media in Windows. While signed in, use File Explorer to open the USB drive or other media and run
setup.exe. Do not boot the PC from the USB when your goal is to preserve installed apps. - Choose what to keep. When Setup offers Change what to keep, select the option that matches your needs and verify the selection before continuing.
- Start installation. Select Install and allow the computer to restart as needed. Do not interrupt the installation.
What each “keep” choice does
- Keep personal files and apps: preserves personal data, installed apps, and settings.
- Keep personal files only: preserves personal data and settings but removes installed apps.
- Keep nothing: removes personal data, apps, and settings.
The exact choices available can depend on the installation path and media. Microsoft’s installation-media guidance distinguishes launching Setup from within Windows from booting to perform a clean installation. Read the displayed choice before proceeding; the keep-everything result applies only when that option is available and selected.
Upgrade to a newer Windows 11 version
If your goal is to move from an earlier eligible Windows version to Windows 11, use Microsoft’s Windows 11 Setup or supported upgrade route rather than the “Fix problems using Windows Update” repair. The latter reinstalls the current version. Check device eligibility and the available upgrade path in Microsoft’s current guidance: Ways to install Windows 11 and Windows 11 upgrade FAQ. Back up before installing a new Windows version, and review any keep options presented during Setup.
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Before you begin: backup, edition, and activation
- Make a backup. Even when a method is designed to preserve data, back up important files first.
- Match the edition to your license. Confirm whether the existing installation is Home, Pro, or another edition and select matching installation media.
- Be ready to check activation. Windows generally reactivates online, but significant hardware changes can require activation troubleshooting. Linking the digital license to a Microsoft account can help prepare for that possibility. See Microsoft’s reinstall and activation guidance.
- For a managed PC, involve IT. If a work- or school-managed device continues to have problems after recovery, contact the organization’s IT team.
If Windows will not start, or the issue followed an update
Windows does not start
The media-based in-place method described above requires signing in to Windows and running setup.exe there. Starting the computer from the USB instead is a clean-install or recovery workflow, not a method to retain all apps and settings. A clean installation can erase personal files, so back up what you can and use the recovery guidance appropriate to the device’s condition.
The problem began after an update or system change
Consider uninstalling the recent update, rolling back, or using System Restore where appropriate before reinstalling Windows. These recovery options have different effects; choose based on what changed and what you need to preserve. Microsoft outlines them in its Windows recovery options.
You suspect malware
An in-place repair reinstall should not be treated as a guaranteed malware-removal method. Microsoft’s recovery guidance recommends scanning first; if the problem continues, it points to clean installation media as an option. A clean install removes personal files, apps, and settings, so protect any recoverable data before taking that step.
Quick Recap
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