How to Recover Files after Reinstalling Windows 11/10

Amy Dennis

Apr 20, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

Windows is the most widely used operating system for PCs and Laptops all over the world. The latest version of Windows 11/10, has a lot to offer to its users. Windows OS is regularly updated, and you can expect a major update almost once each year. However, at times, there can be issues while reinstalling or configuring Windows. This is where the need for lost data recovery comes in.

While Windows is a very stable operating system, and interrupted installation, corrupt setup, or improper configuration are among the few reasons that can cause loss of your files. However- do not worry, for as you read ahead, you will come across the best file recovery software that can help you recover a lost file after reinstalling Windows 11/10.

Why reinstall Windows OS on your PC?

When in doubt, you restart your device. And the issues might resolve themselves. So, reinstalling your Operating System can help you in many ways. Now, you want to know ‘why this matters’ in more details. Is it worth your time? Let’s look at these cases, where you must rely on a Reinstallation.

• Data on your machine might start misbehaving. Accidental Deletes as well as Data Corruption are common causes. Now, what should you do if your System Files become corrupt? Thus, reinstalling the OS can assist you.
• Registry keeps the track of any system changes. And it is also prone to corruption. Again, you must reinstall the system.
• Like our human body, a device can have hardware issues. To address them, a system reinstall becomes necessary.
• As you know, the Virus or Malware can compromise your Device System. And a Reinstallation can save your OS.
• When you setup the Windows installation, it can fail as well. In an interrupted setup install scenario, you should consider reinstalling the system.
• A system update helps you stay secure. But in real life, the latest upgrades can become a nightmare for some. If you face such situation, it is time reinstall the stable OS.
• BSOD or Blue Screen of Death is the blue screen you see, if booting fails. Also, a failed software installation (or uninstallation) can start Boot-up problems. To address such start-up glitches, reinstall your OS.
• Now, a data loss is possible after you reinstall the OS. See, during your Reinstallation Setup, your PC asks to create a new partition. Or if your current volume is the install location. In the first case, you hard disk will build a new partition. So, your Windows Reinstallation lives on this formatted part. As a result, your older data available on hard disk will disappear.
• In the second option, you can choose an already present partition. Make sure to back-up your important files on your drive volume of choice. As your OS reinstalls itself, you lose your data on this partition.

Method 1. Recover Files after Reinstalling Windows 11/10 with Recoverit

When it comes to lost data after reinstalling Windows 11/10, you need a tool backed up with an efficient algorithm for searching and recovering lost files. Recoverit Data Recovery is an effective and safe lost file recovery software to help you retrieve lost files in simple steps.

Recoverit - The Best Deleted Files Recovery Software

• Recover lost or deleted files, photos, audio, music, emails from any storage device effectively, safely and completely.
• Supports data recovery from recycle bin, hard drive, memory card, flash drive, digital camera, and camcorders.
• Supports to recover data for sudden deletion, formatting, lost partition, virus attack, system crash under different situations.

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Download and install Recoverit data recovery on your computer. Follow the next steps to perform deleted file recovery.

• Select a hard disk drive to scan data

Select a location where your lost files were. Click the "Start" button to process.

• Scan hard drive to search data

Recoverit will start an all-around scan. Usually, it will take a few minutes to finish the scanning. Sometimes, a few hours are required if many large-sized files are present.

• Recovering files using the scan results

Depending on the size of the memory to be scanned, whether the Deep Scan Mode is selected or not, and the lost file recovery mode, the scan may take some time. Once it completes, you can preview and select the files you need. Click on the "Recover" button to get the selected files back, and ensure that you do not save them in the same location they were recovered from.

A few tips for successful and efficient Recovery

When you recovering files after installing Windows 11/10, here are a few tips that you can follow:

• Save the recovered files in a location other than the source partition, else all other files in that area may become irrecoverable
• Do not interrupt the recovery process while it is going on- pause it only at the results screen, and not while the files are being recovered
• Larger memory areas take more time, so try to scan a particular partition instead of the whole hard drive at first
• Preview files help you save on time and memory space by recovering the files that you need

Video Tutorial on How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 11/10/8/7 Easily?

Recent Videos from Recoverit

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Method 2: Using your Built-In Windows ‘File History’

You can setup your Data Backup routines in Windows. If you have a Backup, you can use File History option for recovery. Otherwise, you should consider a good Data Recovery Tool.

Assuming you have a Backup Setting, let’s see how you can us File History. The following step-wise guide aims to help you in this.

Step 1. In the ‘Settings’ of your PC, visit your ‘Update and Security’ section.
Step 2. You should find an option with a label of Backup.

Step 3. There is a sub-section about your File History. You should see the ‘Back up using File History’ sub-section. Click ‘More Options’ link.
Step 4.  As you scroll down, a section titled as ‘Related Settings’ will appear. Then, you should select ‘Restore files from a current backup’ option.
Step 5. Locate your target files in the appearing window. Also, you can see the different versions of your files. To move between them, you should use the arrows.

Step 6. Once you find the desired versions of your data, hit ‘Restore’ button. Thus, your files go to their original location. If you want to restore your files to another place, right-click Restore option. So, you can choose your destination using the ‘Restore To’ option.

Method 3 for you: System Restore for getting your Lost Files

A restore point helps you recover your files and your OS. Yes, this means that your Windows Reinstallation will be undone. That is true if your Restore Point is older than OS Reinstallation. But remember, it also means that your files – lost after the reinstall – will return.

So, you can determine if OS Reinstall Reversal is okay for you. If not, you should focus on earlier two methods.

But, are you willing to reinstall your OS one more time? If so, the next steps are for you and your recovery efforts.

Step 1. You should access Run app. You can find it using Start menu Search option. But the key combo of Windows key and R key is your shortcut.
Step 2. After the Run box appears, enter “rstrui.exe” and press enter.
Step 3. Welcome to your System Restore window. Of course, you have the option ‘Choose a different restore point’ which you select. Then, click Next.
Step 4. You will see the feature ‘Scan for affected programs’ that you should select.

Step 5. Here, you find which drives are part of the Restore changes. If you confirm that your Data drives are safe, hit Next. But if your drives are going to change, backup them. And repeat the process as per the On-screen Guidelines. In short, even if your drives change due to a restore; your data remains accessible in your backups. 

Thus, wait for the restoration operation to end. You should not try to interrupt this operation.

Note: Windows.old folder and your data recovery

Did you format your Hard-drive before installing your OS? If your answer is no, then your personal files have a Windows.old folder. And this folder keeps a copy of your data for twenty-eight days. So, even after a Reset or Reinstall of your OS, you can get back any lost files.
If you want them back, follow the guide below.

Get back your files from Windows.old folder

• Access your ‘My Computer’ or ‘This PC’ app. That is, you want to open your File Explorer to see all drives.
• You should select the Windows OS installation drive. In most cases, it’s your ‘C:’ drive.
• You can locate a folder Windows.old and find ‘Users’ folder in it.
• Then, you double-click your username folder.
• After the above steps, you select the folders and files you want.
• You can copy your selected data objects and paste them elsewhere. Remember, you should save them outside Windows.old folder.
• Thus, you can repeat these steps again, for another user accounts on your device. All the best.

People Also Ask

Q1: I want to reinstall my current installation of Windows. Also, I want to keep my files safe. So, what should I do?

Thanks for asking. See, you have two possible solutions in your case. Yes, that’s right. You get to keep your files even during a Windows 11/10 reinstall.

• Before Installing Process: You should always backup your data. Such a Backup will help you keep your files safe. If you know which folders are important, you can copy or move them to external devices. Otherwise, go for your in-built or third-party Backup Software tools.
• During Install setup: Your second option is selecting ‘Keep all my files’ option. In other words, you should not tick the option: Remove files and clean the drive.

Yet, there can be a situation which needs Clean Install. If you wish to go for a Clean Install, you can learn about it here: Windows 11/10 Clean Install. 

Q2: Will I lose my file due to a Windows Reinstallation?

Yes, you guessed it right. The word ‘re-install’ does exactly that. So, everything on a drive will change into newer fresh data. For example, you might have your current OS installed on C: drive. So, as you reinstall your OS, you lose your folders such as Documents and Music, etc. 
You can tick ‘Keep all my files’ in the installation setup. Still, some files can go missing. Thus, backing up your data is your best bet. To learn about USB flash drive backups, visit this guide: USB Flash Drive backup guide. 

Question 3: Can I recover my data after using Windows 11/10 Reset?

Yes. And No. It depends. During your Reset setup, you get a choice to keep your files. So, if you select a suitable option, your Non-OS drives remain the same. And only your C: drive (OS / System drive) is going to lose all files.
So, what is the trick here? Your files have no pointers. But if there is no new data on that drive, your files can come back to you.
You refer these suggestions:

• You can use a reliable recovery app like EaseUS. This tool will scan your drive for your lost data. And provide you with Restore options.
• File History Backup is part of your OS. You can use to recover your folders and files.

System Restore can help you reverse any changes to your drives. So, it can undo your Reset. But you will get back your fi