Optimal method to reinstall Windows while preserving your files.
Optimal method to reinstall Windows while preserving your files.
I've decided to reinstall Windows to resolve the problems you're facing. You mentioned having around 700GB of data to retain. Your plan involves using a USB 3.0 1TB external drive for backup, formatting both a 120GB boot SSD and a 1TB HDD, then restoring everything step by step. This approach should help ensure a clean setup while preserving your important files.
Keep your data on the secondary storage and disconnect it during Windows reinstall. Your user folders—music, documents, etc.—are mapped to E:\, while C:\ holds the operating system and D:\ contains applications. For automatic backup of Steam games and other info, I use Fab's Autobackup Pro, which also retrieves web browser profiles.
Press Shift when clicking Restart. You'll see a choice to restore this computer. There are two options: a complete wipe or preserving your files.
Insert the disc into the window and perform a startup repair. When prompted, select the option to format or keep the existing file system. Choose the latter to proceed. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully and read the displayed text. You may need to reinstall your serial number and re-register Windows. No further details are available.
This could lead to conflicts with drivers or software that modified the registry settings. I prefer avoiding unexpected complications.
It deletes all your programs and drivers. The system restores the OS to its original state, but keeps your files for backup, then restores them. Everything else is lost. I perform this task regularly on client computers without any problems.
I suggest using a combination of cloud storage and external drives for redundancy.
If you keep the existing file system, it won’t negatively impact your drivers or anything else. Proceed with caution—reading the instructions carefully will help you avoid mistakes. Otherwise, consider reinstalling the OS to recover everything.