Providing a PC is still bootable, and Windows 10 is up and running, you can reinstall Windows 10 from an ISO image file and keep your personal files, apps, and Windows settings. An ISO file, commonly known as ISO image, is an archive file that contains an identical copy or image of data found on an optical disc, such as a CD or DVD.
Before starting the process, make sure that you have a good backup of all the personal files on the PC.
Follow the steps below to reinstall Windows 10 using ISO image:
- Download Microsoft’s media creation tool to create Windows 10 ISO file
- Open a browser and go to: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
- Scroll down to ‘Create Windows 10 installation media’
- Download and run the media creation tool
- When asked What doi you want to do, select ‘Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD or ISO file) for another PC’ and click next
- The options for Language = English, Edition = Windows 10 and Architecture = 64-bit (x64) should be preselected for you
- Deselect ‘Use the recommended settings for this PC’ and click next
- ‘Choose which media to use’, select ISO file and click next
- Choose where to create the ISO file, by default you will be offered the filename ‘Windows’ and Documents folder
- The download process begins.
- After downloading the newly-created ISO file, right-click on it and select “Mount” to continue
- Double-click the Setup.exe file at the root directory
- Choose the correct option when prompted to “Download and install updates.” Choose the option if your computer is connected to the internet. If not, select “Not right now.” Click “Next” to continue
- Click on “Change what to keep” in the subsequent popup window
- Choose the option to “Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings”
- Click “Next” to install Windows 10
- At the end of the installation process , the PC will reboot and return to the Desktop
The media creation tool will take around 10-15mins, the Windows 10 installation should take less than an hour.