Reinstall Windows 11 Without Erasing Personal Files

Warning: We cannot guarantee that your personal files or data will not be erased. This process is a last resort 

Continue past next 2 windows until you see the screen in image below and Select “Previous version of Setup” 

Click Next on next screen then Click Install Now on the screen after shown below  

Select “I don’t have a product key”. You can enter it later 

Make sure you select the same version of Windows the computer is running. It should be either Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro

Agree and Continue 

Click “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” 

This step is important. Only click on the drive that Windows is installed on. It will have the largest file size GB is larger than MB. It should be at least 60 GB. Click to highlight it & Next

A message will appear that mentions that current Windows files will be moved to a Windows.old folder. Click OK

Windows will begin to install 

Once it’s installed you will see this screen. Click the top option 

If you see the following screen select “Windows Setup” if prompted

Go thru the normal setup and sign into your Microsoft account. But don’t select to restore from a backup. Select “Other Options” and click “Setup as New”. Once you are at the desktop, you will navigate to the Windows.old folder and check if your files and programs are showing. Apps installed from the Microsoft App Store won’t be listed under Program folders 

Open a Folder, goto This PC, click twice on Local Disk (C)

Double click on Windows.old

Check the “Program Files” and “Program Files (x86)” folders for your software 

To locate Library files such as Documents or Photos Folder, double click on the Users folder, select the folder with the username you previously used and view the different folders for the info you are trying to retrieve.

Helpful Tip: 

Find the executable file to run a program. It ends in .exe but you won’t see .exe until you uncheck “Hide extensions for known file types”. Navigate to Control Panel >Appearance & Personalization >Show Hidden Files and Folders > Uncheck the box “Hide extensions for known file types”