Updated configuration files and the system is refusing to start.
Updated configuration files and the system is refusing to start.
It depends on where your important files are stored. If they're on the same partition as Windows, they'll be erased when you reinstall. If they're on a different partition, they should remain safe. I haven't checked this Windows.old feature myself, but it seems to have worked for me after years of reinstalling. Have you tried MrMase's method? Another option is to install Windows on your HDD, use the SSD as a secondary drive, move all files there, and then reinstall Windows there.
I'm working on a similar process. I'm cloning the SSD to my HDD using Aomei BackupPer, then I'll wipe the SSD and install Windows. After that, I can transfer files from the HDD. I'm not sure if this approach has any issues, but it's about 83% complete and almost finished.