How to repair Windows 11 without losing data or programs

If you’re having trouble with your Windows 11 operating system, don’t worry! This article will walk you through how to fix common problems and how to repair Windows 11 without losing data such as your files, photos, etc. You can’t afford to lose any of that valuable information! Follow these steps and you’ll be back on track in no time!

5 Easy Ways to Repair Windows 11 Without Losing Data or Programs

• Repair Windows 11 with Windows Updates
• Repair Windows Using System Restore
• Check System Files with SFC
• Using Bootrec.exe to fix booting issues
• Repair Windows 11 with Windows Installation Media

Here are some of the methods that can be used to repair dysfunctional windows without losing your data.

1. Repair Windows 11 with Windows Updates

Most times, a fresh Windows update usually resolves issues and clears bugs that were caused by the last update. So if your system is malfunctioning, you will have to check to see if there’s any pending update that needs to be installed.

To update Windows 11,

• From your keyboard, open the Settings app by pressing Win+I
• On the left sidebar, click on Windows Update. 
• The Windows update page will open. Click on Check for updates button to see if there are any pending updates and if there are, you should install them.

If you ever installed a fresh Window update, and it resulted in an error on your PC, you may want to uninstall that update and roll back to the previous installation. Here’s how to do that:

• Launch your Settings app from the Start menu or click on Win+I to use the keyboard shortcut
• On the left sidebar, click on Windows Update. 
• Click on Update History
• Look for Uninstall updates under Related settings. Click on it and a new Window with all updates will be opened.
• You can now uninstall the update you need to by right-clicking on it and selecting Uninstall.

ALSO SEE: How to Enable or Disable Windows Security in Windows 11/10

2. Repair Windows Using System Restore

Errors encountered on Windows can easily be fixed by Restoring the system. The System Restore method simply restores your system to the last state where it was functioning properly.

To perform a system restore,

• Press Win + R. to open the Run command box.
• Type rstrui in the Run dialog box and punch Enter to launch the System Restore Wizard.
• Click Next on the System Restore window.
• On the next screen, check the Show more restore points box.
• Now, you will have to select a restore point – a point where your system last functioned normally.
• Click Next to advance to the next menu.
• Finally, click Finish and confirm at the final prompt.

3. Check System Files with SFC

SFC or System File Checker is a tool located in the System32 folder and installed in Windows by default. With this program, you can search for and repair damaged Windows systems files.

You could perform an SFC scan to fix issues related to missing files on your Windows 11. 

Enter cmd in the menu bar at the top of your Start screen to launch the System File Checker in Windows 11. From the results displayed, select Run as administrator in the Command Prompt. Type the following command in the Command Prompt window and hit Enter.

sfc /scannow

4. Using Bootrec.exe to fix booting issues

The bootrec.exe tool can fix your window if it is experiencing booting problems. You will need to boot into Windows Recovery To run bootrec.exe, and execute the bootrec commands using the Command Prompt.

To use Bootrec.exe,

• Boot your computer into Advanced Recovery Mode
• Launch Command Prompt from under Advanced Options
• Type bootrec.exe and press Enter
• Now, type Bootrec /fixmbr and hit Enter
• To fix boot, enter Bootrec /fixboot and press Enter, to rebuild BCD, type Bootrec /rebuildbcd and press Enter

You can now restart your PC to use and confirm that it now boots fine.

ALSO SEE: How To Remove Bloatware From Windows 11/10

5. Repair Windows 11 with Windows Installation Media

With this process, you will use Windows ISO, a bootable USB or a DVD to repair your Windows. You will need a USB or DVD media. You can fix Windows 11 using installation media, but first, you’ll have to download the Windows ISO file from the official source, after that, you create a bootable USB or DVD, boot the drive during start-up, and then select Repair your PC.

In conclusion, Windows 11, even if newer versions are released, is here to stay, for the time being at least. So if yours starts malfunctioning, you don’t just dump your computer and get a new one, rather, you try to fix it. And with this guide showing you how to repair Windows 11 without losing data, you should be capable of getting your computer to work properly again.