An in-place upgrade repair reinstalls Windows over the existing installation while preserving your user accounts, personal files, installed desktop apps, Microsoft Store apps, and most settings—provided that Windows Setup shows “Keep personal files and apps” before you select Install. This guide applies to Windows 10 version 22H2 and supported Windows 11 releases when Windows can still start normally and you launch Setup from inside the running copy of Windows. It is not a clean install, and you must not boot from the USB or ISO to perform this repair.

Prerequisites and compatibility​

Before beginning, allow 45–90 minutes without needing the PC. The computer will restart several times.
You need:
Quick walkthrough
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  • A working Windows desktop and an administrator account.
  • A stable power source. Keep a laptop plugged in.
  • An internet connection to download installation media and install updates afterward.
  • Enough free space on the Windows drive. Microsoft lists 9 GB as a download requirement for Windows 11 Installation Assistant; leave substantially more free space for Setup’s temporary files and rollback data.
  • A current backup of important files, even though this procedure is designed to preserve them.
  • Official Windows installation media that matches the installed Windows language, architecture, and compatible edition.
Use the following checks before downloading media:
  • Press Windows + R, type:
    winver
    Select OK. Record the Windows edition and version shown.
  • Open Settings and confirm the edition:
  • Windows 11: Start > Settings > System > About
  • Windows 10: Start > Settings > System > About
Under Windows specifications, note the edition, version, and OS build.
  • Check whether Windows is activated:
  • Windows 11: Settings > System > Activation
  • Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Activation
Expected result: Windows should report that it is activated. An in-place repair normally preserves activation, but checking first helps distinguish a pre-existing activation issue from a repair-related one.
Windows 11 Activation page showing activation status.

Windows 11 Settings System About page showing device and Windows specifications.

Warning: Back up before continuing. An in-place upgrade is intended to retain your data, but a failed disk, unexpected power loss, insufficient storage, or an incorrect Setup choice can still cause data loss. Copy irreplaceable files to external storage or a cloud backup before running Setup.
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  • If device encryption or BitLocker is enabled, make sure you can retrieve the BitLocker recovery key before beginning. This is particularly important if the machine has recently had firmware, TPM, boot, or motherboard changes. Do not proceed if you cannot access the recovery key for an encrypted system drive.
  • Save and close all open work. Sign out of applications that may have files locked, including virtual machines, database tools, development environments, and backup software.
  • Disconnect nonessential external hardware such as USB storage drives, docks, printers, SD cards, game controllers, and external displays. Leave only power, keyboard, mouse, and a wired network connection if needed.

Repair Windows with an in-place upgrade​

1. Download matching official Windows installation media​

For the most reliable repair path, download an official Windows ISO for the Windows generation you are currently running:
  • Use Windows 10 installation media to repair Windows 10.
  • Use Windows 11 installation media to repair Windows 11.
  • If you intentionally want to move from Windows 10 to Windows 11, first confirm that the PC meets Windows 11 requirements. That is an operating-system upgrade as well as a repair install.
For a repair that keeps apps and files, the installation source must be compatible with the installed system:
  • Use the same display language as your installed Windows.
  • Use matching architecture: normally 64-bit/x64. Do not use x64 media on an Arm-based PC.
  • Use media that supports your installed edition. For example, do not attempt to repair an Enterprise installation with ordinary consumer media.
  • Use media that is the same Windows release or newer than the installed release. A newer Windows 11 ISO can repair Windows while also moving the PC to that newer Windows 11 feature release.
The Media Creation Tool is useful for creating an ISO or USB installer. However, for this repair, the important point is to run setup.exe from within the currently running Windows installation. You do not need to make the USB bootable unless you also want recovery media for a separate emergency.

2. Mount the ISO from inside Windows​

  • Open File Explorer and browse to the downloaded .iso file.
  • Right-click the ISO and select Mount.
    A new virtual DVD drive appears under This PC. Note its drive letter, such as D: or E:.
  • Open the new virtual DVD drive.
  • Double-click setup.exe.
  • If the User Account Control prompt appears, select Yes.
Warning: Do not restart and boot from the ISO, USB drive, or DVD. Booting from installation media starts the clean-install path, where Windows Setup can replace the existing installation and erase apps or files. For an in-place repair, launch setup.exe only after signing in to the Windows desktop.
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3. Choose the correct Windows Setup options​

  • At the Install Windows or Windows Setup screen, select Change how Setup downloads updates if that option appears.
  • Select Not right now, then select Next.
    This reduces variables during the repair. You will install current updates through Windows Update after the repair completes.
  • Read the license terms and select Accept if you agree.
  • Wait while Setup checks the PC and prepares the installation.
  • At Ready to install, verify the selected action. It must say:
    Keep personal files and apps
  • If it does not, select Change what to keep.
  • Select:
    Keep personal files and apps
  • Select Next, then return to Ready to install.
Warning: Stop if “Keep personal files and apps” is unavailable. Do not select Keep personal files only or Nothing if your goal is to retain installed programs and settings. Cancel Setup and resolve the media mismatch or compatibility problem described in the troubleshooting section.
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  • Once Keep personal files and apps is clearly displayed, select Install.
Expected result: Setup copies files, configures Windows, and restarts the PC several times. The screen may remain at a percentage for a while; do not force a shutdown unless Setup has clearly stopped responding for an extended period and there is no disk or network activity.

4. Sign in after the repair​

After the final restart, sign in using your normal account. Windows may display privacy, sign-in, or “getting things ready” screens before the desktop appears.
Expected result:
  • Your normal desktop, files, apps, and user profile should remain present.
  • Some drivers, startup apps, file associations, default-app choices, or optional Windows features may need attention afterward.
  • If the ISO contained a newer Windows feature release, winver will show that newer release after the repair.

Verify that the repair succeeded​

Complete these checks before deleting any temporary installation files or rollback data.
  • Press Windows + R, type:
    winver
    Select OK. Confirm that Windows reports the expected edition and version.
  • Confirm activation:
  • Windows 11: Settings > System > Activation
  • Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Activation
  • Run Windows Update:
  • Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates
  • Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates
Install offered cumulative updates, servicing updates, and applicable drivers. Restart when prompted.
  • Test the issue that led you to repair Windows. For example, retry Windows Update, open the affected Settings page, launch the application that previously failed, or reconnect the device that was malfunctioning.
  • Open Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) and run:
    sfc /scannow
    Expected result: Windows Resource Protection reports that it found no integrity violations, or that it found and successfully repaired files. If it reports unrepaired corruption, continue with the troubleshooting section.
  • Verify several installed programs, a Microsoft Store app, File Explorer access to your user folders, network access, sound, and any printer or VPN that is important to your work.
Windows 11 Windows Update page with the Check for updates button.

Alternate method: reinstall the current Windows 11 version through Windows Update​

Windows 11 includes a repair option that downloads and reinstalls the current Windows version while preserving apps, files, and settings. It is useful when Windows starts normally, the issue is likely related to Windows components or Windows Update, and the option is available on the device.
  • Open Start > Settings > System > Recovery.
  • Under Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now.
  • Choose whether Windows may automatically restart the PC 15 minutes after installation completes.
  • Select OK to begin.
Keep the PC connected to power and the internet throughout the process.
Expected result: Windows Update downloads a repair version of the last successfully installed operating system update, installs it, and then restarts the PC if required.
If Fix problems using Windows Update is missing, use the ISO-based in-place upgrade procedure above. The option may not appear on older Windows 11 versions or on managed PCs where update policy prevents it.

Troubleshooting and rollback/escalation​

“Keep personal files and apps” is missing or unavailable​

Cancel Setup. This is normally caused by incompatible installation media or by starting Setup incorrectly.
Check the following:
  • You launched setup.exe from the Windows desktop rather than booting from USB or DVD.
  • The ISO language matches the installed Windows display language.
  • The installation source supports the installed edition.
  • The media is not older than the installed Windows release.
  • You are not attempting an unsupported cross-architecture repair, such as x64 media on an Arm-based system.
  • The PC is not running a specialized Windows edition that requires organization-provided installation media.
Download new matching media, mount it, and start again from the desktop.

Setup reports an incompatible app or error 0xC1900208​

This result indicates that Windows Setup found an incompatible application or driver.
  • Read the compatibility report carefully and identify the named application or driver.
  • Download a current version from the hardware or software vendor, or uninstall the incompatible application.
  • Restart Windows.
  • Run the mounted ISO’s setup.exe again.
Do not remove security software, VPN software, disk-encryption tools, or enterprise management agents unless you know how to reinstall or recover them.
Warning: Removing security or encryption software can affect device protection, network access, or data access. Before uninstalling such software, record licensing details, recovery information, and any organization-specific configuration. If the PC is managed by an employer or school, contact its IT administrator before changing these components.
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Setup restarts, then rolls back with 0xC1900101​

0xC1900101 commonly indicates a driver problem.
  • Disconnect all nonessential peripherals.
  • Install current chipset, storage-controller, graphics, network, and firmware updates from the PC or motherboard manufacturer.
  • Uninstall recently added hardware utilities, low-level monitoring tools, older VPN clients, and third-party antivirus products only if they are known to be involved.
  • Restart and retry the repair.
If you use RAID, storage acceleration, or a vendor-specific disk controller, do not remove its driver blindly. Obtain the current driver from the system manufacturer first; an incorrect storage-driver change can make Windows unbootable.

Setup cannot start, or Windows system-file repair still reports damage​

Open Windows Terminal (Admin) and run these commands in order:
Code: 
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow
Wait for each command to finish. Restart Windows after both commands complete, then retry the in-place upgrade.
If DISM fails because source files cannot be found, use the ISO-based repair procedure rather than repeatedly retrying Windows Update. Make sure the ISO matches the installed language and Windows generation.

The repair fails and returns to the previous Windows installation​

Windows Setup normally retains diagnostic information after a rollback.
  • Open File Explorer.
  • In the address bar, enter:
    %WinDir%\Logs\SetupDiag
  • Open SetupDiagResults.xml if it exists. SetupDiag analyzes Windows Setup logs and often identifies the blocking app, driver, disk, or migration issue.
Also review these locations:
Code: 
C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther
C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Rollback
The most useful files are typically setupact.log and setuperr.log. Copy the folders to another location before attempting another upgrade, because a later Setup attempt can overwrite them.

You need to undo a Windows version upgrade after it completed​

If the in-place process moved the PC to a newer Windows feature release and the new release is causing problems, Windows may offer a rollback for a limited period—typically 10 days after the upgrade.
  • Windows 11: Settings > System > Recovery > Go back
  • Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Go back to the previous version of Windows 10
Do not use Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense to remove Previous Windows Installation(s) until you are satisfied with the repaired system, because deleting that data removes the normal rollback option.
Warning: Rolling back removes apps, drivers, settings changes, and updates installed after the upgrade. Back up files created or changed since the in-place upgrade before selecting Go back.
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If Windows no longer starts, if Setup repeatedly rolls back with different errors, or if disk errors, BitLocker recovery loops, or boot failures occur, stop retrying the upgrade. Back up accessible data, use Windows Recovery Environment startup tools if needed, and investigate storage health and the SetupDiag/Setup log results before considering Reset this PC or a clean installation.

References​

  1. Official source: support.microsoft.com
    support.microsoft.com

    Recovery options in Windows | Microsoft Support

    Learn about the recovery options in Windows. Find out how to reset your PC, go back to a previous version of Windows, or use media to reinstall Windows.
    support.microsoft.com
  2. Official source: learn.microsoft.com
    learn.microsoft.com

    Use the Windows Setup Compatibility Scan Logs to Identify Blocking Issues - Windows Client | Microsoft Learn

    Discusses how to locate and interpret Windows Setup compatibility scans to resolve compatibility issues.
    learn.microsoft.com
  3. Official source: microsoft.com
    www.microsoft.com

    Download Windows 11

    www.microsoft.com www.microsoft.com
  4. Official source: download.microsoft.com
    download.microsoft.com

    Minimum Hardware Requirements for Windows 11

    PDF document
    download.microsoft.com download.microsoft.com
 

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