Windows 10 not booting up - Option Reset PC keep files question

It should keep the files, but will remove all apps installed.
If you want some extra insurance look up windows recovery bootdisks in google and get everything first to be safe.
This article lists a few.
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-best-rescue-disks-windows-system-restore/

Hi,

Scott is correct in saying that all program installations will be lost by a reset.

I'd suggest another way around the problem.

First, you would need to create a bootable Windows 10 USB device. I've explained how to do that in an article I wrote here:

• Create a Bootable Windows 10 device using the Media Creation Tool (MCT)

Once that's done and ready, you can then do an in-place non-destructive repair on Windows 10 which should retain both her personal documents and programs, effectively repairing her Windows 10 installation so that it will boot again. I explain this process in another article I've written here.

• Non Destructive Repair of Windows 10 - Answers to commonly asked questions

The article assumes a bootable system, however, if used in combination with a bootable Windows 10 device, the process is pretty much the same once you've started the setup and you still get to select the steps "Upgrade this PC Now" and "Keep personal files and apps" which is what retains the programs on the current installation.

As always, whenever doing anything like this, including a reset, take a backup image of the Hard Drive first - 'just in case'. I've never had to use a backup I made, but better safe than sorry.

Hope that's helpful.

Regards, Andrew

Thank you both for the info.  Another quick question - another option I considered was removing the SSD drive and try to connect it as an external drive - would that be an easier solution and I assume I have to purchase some type of cable to connect it once I remove it from the laptop.  Again thanks for your input and time.

One trick you can do is make a bootable Linux USB stick and load it up, then use that to navigate the file system and backup your user's data. I've done that before on drives that won't start, failing drives, etc.
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#1-overview

As I have removed the drive already from the laptop, so I am going to try to slave the drive by purchasing the following:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RVC6F9Y/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_imm_awdb_Y07X5S4X0ADNPBG09VN8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I think this is what I need for the type of drive I have - which is like this:

https://www.amazon.com/HFS001TD9TNI-4-Lane-0MXTT3-Thinkbad-Spectre/dp/B08KSD3DWX

Is there anything I need to do once I receive this cradle other than insert the drive and plug it in?

Thanks


  

No, that's pretty much it. That external adapter turns it into an external drive so you just plug and play.

Thanks so much. I appreciate the help!

@Andrew:
I agree with your advice about the Windows upgrade, but am confused about one part.  I've never been able to do that with a non-bootable system.  That is, I'm not able to do the installation without deleting the apps.  It gives some message (sorry, don't recall specifics but could recreate it if necessary) about how that can only be done from within Windows, not from the recovery/installation media.

Am I missing something here?  Your suggestion would be very useful if I could make it work.

@CompProbSolv

I agree with your advice about the Windows upgrade, but am confused about one part.  I've never been able to do that with a non-bootable system.

I've done it at least twice myself so it's definitely possible, however, it could depend on how damaged the Windows installation is. Providing Windows boots to an error screen, even a blue screen, then it's been possible for me to still do a non-destructive upgrade repair and Windows would boot after that. I've never tried it in a scenario where an OS couldn't be detected during the attempted boot or after running the setup file from the bootable USB. At what point during boot do you get an error and what type is it? No OS detected or a Windows error that halts the boot process? That could be the difference why you couldn't proceed yourself?

In the OPs case, he states;

it attempts to run diagnostics but that is not working.

That tells me the laptop is still detecting a Windows OS which should make the method I've suggested possible. I know for certain I had two machines (albeit not laptops, but that shouldn't make any difference) where Windows would error (blue screen and not go any further to get to a log in screen) and I was still able to repair them without losing data or programs installed.

Using this method to fix a badly damaged Windows 10 system that could still boot I've also personally done several times and it's actually very easy. Takes about as much time as a fresh install, but retains all user data, programs, settings etc. Has saved me from having to do a clean reinstall of Windows at least 3 or 4 times. When I wrote the article, I did it on a perfectly working Windows 10 VM just for the purposes of documenting everything for my artile, but the screens, steps etc, were identical to doing it on a damaged system.

Hope that's helpful.

Regards, Andrew

@mmj1

Is there anything I need to do once I receive this cradle other than insert the drive and plug it in?

No, it should perform as William has already stated - a plug and play USB drive. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how well it works. I have a cradle I keep around that takes 3 types of drives and I just slot drives into them in like sticking a USB stick into a USB port. It's that easy.

However, I'd urge you not to forget to make an image file of the entire drive and its partitions (using something like Macrium Reflect) to either the computer you're going to plug into or another external drive. Be sure to also verify the image with Macrium or the software you choose to use before trying to repair the WIndows installation.

I would not recommend proceeding with the repairs I've suggested without giving yourself the means to get back to where you started. I've never had to use the backups I've made, but I know from painful experience that the one time you don't bother to make a complete backup is sure to be the time you'll need one and wished you made it. Murphy's law!

Best, Andrew

I didn't mention removing the drive as I wasn't sure of your skill level and some laptops do not disassemble easily...
Glad yours was ok.

@Andrew
Thank you for the detailed response.  I'll try to duplicate the steps so I can be clearer on where I've run into problems.  Your solution could be very useful to me at times, if I can make it work!

Thank you all for your assistance!  I was able to slave the drive and copy all of the documents that were not backed up by another means.