how to repair windows 8.1 without losing data

Can you reinstall Windows 8.1 without losing data? To get started, you’ll need to access PC Settings. Click or tap “Update and recovery” and then Recovery.

Full Answer

How do I reinstall Windows 8 without losing files?

Click or tap "Update and recovery" and then Recovery. In the "Refresh your PC without affecting your files" section, click or tap "Get started." refresh, Windows 8.1, installation, reinstall At this step you may be informed that some files are missing.

How do I repair Windows 8 1 installation?

Repair the Windows 8.1 installation Step 1: Turn on your PC and boot into Windows 8.1. Step 2: Insert your Windows 8.1 DVD into the optical drive or connect your bootable Windows 8.1 USB. Step 3: Open up the Windows 8.1 install DVD, USB, or mounted ISO in This PC (My Computer), and then double-click Setup.exe file to run the installer.

What to do when Windows 8 won't turn on?

However, if you've tried everything and you still aren't getting anywhere, refreshing your Windows 8.1 computer can help a lot. To get started, you'll need to access PC Settings. Click or tap "Update and recovery" and then Recovery. In the "Refresh your PC without affecting your files" section, click or tap "Get started."

How do I recover deleted files in Windows 8?

Click or tap "Update and recovery" and then Recovery. In the "Refresh your PC without affecting your files" section, click or tap "Get started." At this step you may be informed that some files are missing. If that is the case, insert a Windows 8.1 installation disc or a recovery disc.

Can I reinstall Windows 8.1 without losing files?

To refresh your Windows 8. x system, go to Settings > Update and Recovery > Recovery. Then under "Refresh your PC without affecting your files," click the Get started button.

How do I fix a corrupted Windows without losing data?

Restoring applications after reinstalling Windows 10Go to “Start” > “All Apps” > “Store.”Click on user (your) photo.Select “My Library” on the left pane to access all previously installed apps.Click the “Download” button next to the app(s) you wish to restore.

How do I restore my laptop Windows 8 without losing data?

0:041:03How to Refresh Windows® 8 to Reset it without Losing Data - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipClick general in the left pane and click on the get started button in the refresh your PC withoutMoreClick general in the left pane and click on the get started button in the refresh your PC without affecting your files.

How can I repair Windows 8 without CD?

Method #1Boot into the system and go to Computer > C: , where C: is the drive where your Windows is installed on.Create a new folder. ... Insert the Windows 8/8.1 installation media and go to the Source folder. ... Copy the install.wim file.Paste the install.wim file to the Win8 folder.Open Command Prompt as an Administrator.More items...

Will Startup Repair delete my files?

Note: After clean boot troubleshooting step, follow the “Steps to configure Windows to use a Normal startup state” in the provided link to return your computer to Normal startup mode. Method 2: Startup repair will not always wipe out the data. You may refer the articles below to perform a startup repair.

Will Windows repair delete my files?

It shouldn't erase any data - just update the files under c:\windows (or wherever you installed windows to). Having said that it would be prudent to back up your data first - if necessary by plugging your hard-drive into another computer - just in case.

Can I format a disk without losing data?

It's perfectly possible to wipe your hard drive without losing all your data. The process requires you to format your drive, then use data recovery tools to salvage your data. The methodology for the formatting part of the process differs depending on whether you're using a Windows computer or macOS.

How do I reinstall Windows 8 from BIOS?

0:002:488.1 Refresh recover restore reinstall system, BIOS UEFI access - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd reset PC restore system access to bios or you fer to do this move your mouse on left bottomMoreAnd reset PC restore system access to bios or you fer to do this move your mouse on left bottom corner go to settings then change PC settings. Now choose update and recovery.

How do you Reset a Windows 8.1 laptop?

0:292:36Windows 8.1: Reset To Factory Settings and Remove Personal DataYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then to update and recovery. And I'm going to go up to recovery. I'm going to go to removeMoreAnd then to update and recovery. And I'm going to go up to recovery. I'm going to go to remove everything and reinstall windows. And right below it it says if you want to recycle your PC or start over

Does Windows 8.1 have a repair tool?

Click on the Restart now button and Windows 8 will restart your computer and go directly into the Advanced Startup options menu. Now click on the Troubleshoot button and then the Advanced options button. When the advanced options screen opens, click on the Automatic Repair option.

How do I run repair mode in Windows 8?

While the computer is booting up the trick is to hold the Shift button and keep pressing the F8 key, this will sometimes boot you into the new advanced “recovery mode”, where you can choose to see advanced repair options.

Does Windows 8.1 have System Restore?

System Restore isn't available for Windows RT 8.1. Windows automatically creates a restore point when you install desktop apps and new Windows updates, if the last restore point is older than 7 days. You can also create a restore point manually at any time.

What do I do if my Windows 10 is corrupted?

Restart your computer and try to open the Windows Security. If the issue persists, perform Repair Upgrade, this will re-install the Windows without affecting your files and apps, it will repair and replace any corrupted system files.

How do I reinstall a corrupted Windows?

Here's how:Navigate to the Windows 10 Advanced Startup Options menu. ... Once your computer has booted, select Troubleshoot.And then you'll need to click Advanced options.Click Startup Repair.Complete step 1 from the previous method to get to Windows 10's Advanced Startup Options menu.Click System Restore.More items...•

How do I repair a corrupt Windows 10 install?

How can I fix corrupted files in Windows 10 & 11?Use the SFC tool. 1.1 Run System File Checker. ... Use the DISM tool. ... Run a SFC scan from Safe Mode. ... Perform a SFC scan before Windows 10 starts. ... Replace the files manually. ... Use the System Restore feature. ... Reset corrupted Windows 10.

Does Windows 10 have a repair tool?

Answer: Yes, Windows 10 does have a built-in repair tool that helps you troubleshoot typical PC issues.

Does Windows Update change network settings?

Network, Libraries, and Windows Update settings will not change. Customer Experience Improvement Program settings will not change. Windows Error Reporting settings will not change. Some drivers may or may not be removed, but usually will remain.

Can you change your computer name during Windows Welcome?

Choices you made during Windows Welcome, such as computer name and user accounts, will not change.

Do you back up before doing a repair install?

Be sure to back up anything that you do not want to lose before doing a repair install just to be extra safe. For example, if you lose power in the middle of doing the repair install.

What is Windows XP repair?

The Repair Windows XP installation option was one of the best features of the Windows XP operating system as it allowed users to repair the installation without losing data and installed programs.

What happens if the free space available on your system drive (Windows 8.1 drive) is not sufficient for the operation?

If the free space available on your system drive (Windows 8.1 drive) is not sufficient for the operation, you’ll be asked to free up required space before continuing further.

How to install Windows 8.1 on a USB?

Step 1: Turn on your PC and boot into Windows 8.1. Step 2: Insert your Windows 8.1 DVD into the optical drive or connect your bootable Windows 8.1 USB. And if you have Windows 8.1 ISO file, browse to the file location, right-click on it, and then click Mount option to mount the ISO file.

Does Windows 8.1 have a repair option?

However, unlike Windows XP, its successors Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 don’t feature Repair Windows installation option and instead offer a variety of other features to repair the Windows installation, including advanced commands.

Does Windows 8 have a refresh feature?

While Windows 8 and 8.1 ship with Refresh PC feature, a handy feature to quickly reset Windows settings to their defaults, the downside of the feature is that it removes all desktop programs and you need to reinstall all desktop applications all over again after performing Refresh PC operation.

What Happens When You Refresh A Windows 8.1 PC?

While your personal files will remain intact through this procedure, you'll be altering your system quite a bit.

How to refresh Windows 8.1?

How To Refresh Your Windows 8.1 PC. To get started, you'll need to access PC Settings. Click or tap "Update and recovery" and then Recovery. In the "Refresh your PC without affecting your files" section, click or tap "Get started.". refresh, Windows 8.1, installation, reinstall.

What is Windows 8.1?

If your computer is running poorly and you can't fix it, Windows 8.1 gives you the option to refresh the operating system without having to lose your personal files. In certain scenarios this is the best cure and the fastest way to make the computer run smoothly again. Let's see how the Refresh feature in Windows 8.1 works and why it is useful.

Where is Windows.old folder?

Have a look on your C: drive and you'll find another addition: a new folder named Windows.old, contains all the program files and Windows directory from your previous installation. If any of your applications had additional information stored in their installation directory, you can recover it here. You'll also find your old drivers in there. While there is a Users directory in the Windows.old folder, it won't contain anything of use in this situation. Your user files are still in your personal folders where they belong.

How to find out what you left on your computer?

Once the Refresh cycle is complete and you can log back into Windows, you'll find very little different from when you left it. You'll see the Start screen and find all of your Windows Store apps still installed. Switch to the Desktop and you'll find all of your desktop links intact. Dig deeper and you'll find that all personal data on the computer, from all users, is right where you left it, as long as it was stored in standard user folders and libraries. While it may not look like much has changed, there are a few indicators that the procedure completed successfully.