Windows 11 gets a nifty repair feature: all files and settings are preserved

One of the most annoying problems Windows users face is when their system becomes corrupted or unstable due to malware, faulty updates or user errors. In such cases, the only option is usually to reinstall Windows from scratch, which means losing all your personal files and settings, or spending hours backing them up and restoring them later.

But with Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced a new feature that makes repairing your system much easier and faster, without sacrificing your data or preferences. It’s called the «Restore this PC» feature and it allows you to reinstall Windows 11 from the cloud, keeping all your files and settings intact.

How does it work? Simply go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and click on the «Reset this PC» button. You will be presented with two options: «Keep my files» or «Delete everything». If you choose the first option, Windows 11 will download a fresh copy of the operating system from the cloud and install it over the existing one, preserving all your files, applications and personal settings. This process should take less than an hour, depending on your Internet speed and hardware.

If you choose the second option, Windows 11 will erase everything on your disk, including your files, applications and settings, and install a clean version of the operating system from the cloud. This option is useful if you want to sell or donate your PC, or if you want to start from scratch with a new configuration.

The «Restore this PC» feature is a big improvement over previous versions of Windows, which required you to create a recovery media or use a recovery partition to reinstall the system. With Windows 11, you don’t need partitions or external devices, just a stable Internet connection and some patience. The result is a faster, more convenient way to troubleshoot your PC, without losing your valuable data or customizations.

Microsoft has a new way to repair Windows 11 without losing your stuff

If you’ve ever had to reinstall Windows, you know how frustrating it can be to lose your files, applications and settings in the process. That’s why Microsoft is working on a new feature that allows you to repair Windows 11 using the Windows Update feature, without deleting your data or programs. Microsoft announced this feature in a blog post for Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25905, which is available for testers to try.

How to use the new Windows Update recovery feature

The new feature is located under Settings > System > Recovery and «Troubleshoot Windows Update». When you click «Reinstall now», this feature will download and install a repair version of the operating system, which will restore your current version of Windows 11 and keep your applications, files and settings intact.

Microsoft explains the new feature as follows:

A new Windows Update recovery feature in this build under Settings > System > Recovery and «Troubleshoot Windows Update». In legitimate Insider channels such as today’s Canary channel, this feature will download and install a repair version of the operating system. This process reinstalls the existing operating system and does not remove any files, settings or applications.

Amanda Langowski and Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft

The two Microsoft executives continue:

The contents of the repair are displayed on the Windows Update settings page with «(repair version)» added to the title. This feature can be useful in many cases, but is intended to keep the device secure and up to date. Devices may need to complete ongoing updates before this process takes effect.

Why this feature is better than reinstalling Windows 11

The new feature is an excellent alternative to a complete reinstallation of Windows 11, which can be time-consuming and risky. When you reinstall Windows 11, you must set up everything from scratch, including software, preferences and customization. You must also back up your files and applications beforehand, or risk losing them forever. This can be a hassle and a headache for many users.

With the new Windows Update recovery feature, you can repair Windows 11 without losing your stuff or spending hours setting it up. This can save you time, stress and possible data loss. It can also help you keep your device secure and up to date with the latest patches and fixes from Microsoft.

How to get the new Windows Update recovery feature

Currently, the new feature is only available to Windows 11 testers who are enrolled in the Insider Program. If you want to try it you have to join the Insider Program and opt for the Canary channel, which is the most experimental and unstable. You must also install the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25905, which was released on September 18, 2021.

Please note that this feature is still under development and may not work as expected. It may also cause some problems or errors on your device. You should only use it if you are comfortable testing unfinished software and providing feedback to Microsoft. You should also back up your data before using it, in case something goes wrong.

If you are not an Insider or don’t want to risk using an unstable build, you will have to wait until Microsoft releases this feature to the public. There is no official date on when this will happen, but it could be late this year or early next year. We will keep you posted on any news or announcements related to this feature.