Windows 10: Is there a way to reinstall Windows 10 without losing programs, data and apps?

A relative of mine passed and I now have his laptop. He had a pretty empty profile on it, but there are certain things I definitely don't want to lose, such as saved passwords. I created my own profile and that works well.The problem is he fell for all kinds of scams, programs to do this and that. Which all combined seriously degrade system speed. There are multiple pop-ups and things reminding me to install something probably for a fee, as the last time he used the laptop was well over a year ago. Most of it just looks like total garbage, but I don't know what's what and don't want to remov

:)

 

Most painless way to reinstall windows 10?

Would be nice if this method was officially supported. Refresh Windows without losing any data or programs. I wouldn't mind if it would reset core Windows settings, services and stuff, for as long as it keeps 3rd party ones intact. Would still be faster to reinstall those 3 problematic apps than doing it for all of them.

 

Most painless way to reinstall windows 10?

Would be nice if Windows Reset also got rid of malware instead of doing a clean install *Smile

 

Most painless way to reinstall windows 10?

It depends on the junk accumulated honestly, but there are various methods. You can always remove programs, delete download folder, media locations, etc. As some have suggested, keeping some items on a separate internal storage drive is an option as well. Depends on what you have, what your budget is and how you want to handle your system and data.

The method @RejZoR suggests is sound and a method I've used dozens if not hundreds of time with great success in the field. In many cases though the goal is to keep user data intact, and to repair the OS. In place upgrade as it is called is also only doable in that method if you can boot to desktop, if you can't, it is time for some more advanced options or a format & reinstall.

With Windows 8 and 10 there are refresh and reset options that can be leveraged as well. Hold Shift and click Restart to reboot your system, this will get you into the advanced boot menu, which you'll need to choose advanced options (I forget ATM what it is called) and choose one of a couple items, refresh or reset.

Refresh is essentially In Place Upgrade but a little more aggressive as it wipes the Windows Apps and you may need to reinstall programs. Reset is like an OS reinstall, wipes user data, wipes profiles, registry, performs a install from the system image. Often times I'll do this and bypass using a USB key on a system. Though there are instances where these options will not work if a system has a level of corruption that has not been repaired/resolved. Check the OS Repair link in my sig for more info if ya need.

*Toast :toast: