How to Refresh Windows 10 Without Losing Your Apps: A Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding Windows 10 Refresh Options

If your Windows 10 system is running slow or experiencing issues, you might be considering a refresh. But what if you want to keep your apps and personal files intact? Fortunately, Windows 10 offers options to refresh your system without losing your valuable data and applications.

Method 1: Using the “Reset This PC” Feature

One of the simplest ways to refresh Windows 10 while keeping your files is through the built-in “Reset This PC” feature. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Settings app and navigate to “Update & Security”
Click on “Recovery” in the left sidebar
Under “Reset this PC”, click “Get started”
Choose “Keep my files” when prompted
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process

This method will reinstall Windows 10 while preserving your personal files. However, it will remove apps that didn’t come pre-installed with Windows.

Method 2: Performing an In-Place Upgrade

For a more comprehensive refresh that keeps both your files and apps, you can perform an in-place upgrade:

Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website
Run the tool and select “Upgrade this PC now”
Choose “Keep personal files and apps” when asked what to keep
Follow the prompts to complete the installation

This method essentially reinstalls Windows 10 over itself, potentially fixing system issues while keeping your apps and files intact.

Precautions Before Refreshing

Before attempting any system refresh, it’s crucial to:

Back up important files to an external drive or cloud storage
Ensure your PC is connected to a power source
Have sufficient free disk space (at least 16GB for 32-bit or 20GB for 64-bit systems)
Note down your product key or ensure your Windows 10 is properly activated

By following these steps and precautions, you can refresh your Windows 10 system without the fear of losing your important apps and data, giving your PC a new lease on life.