How do I reinstall all my programmes without losing data?

Swaganauticus · Sep 11, 2015

I have to completely reinstall Windows 10 due to an installation error that makes half the features inaccessible (trust me, I've had the expert use remote control for hours looking for a solution) and to do that I will have to delete every programme I own and reinstall them. I have an external HDD, but first, how do I fully remove a programme and second, how do I do it without losing my data connected with it?

Thanks for all answers in advance.

Mattios · Sep 11, 2015

You can copy all of your data over to the external HDD and move it back once the installation is complete. However, most programs will not work because you can't simply move them over - they have to be reinstalled manually.

USAFRet · Sep 11, 2015

Swaganauticus :

That is near impossible. Every application does it a bit differently. Some in /Users/you/, some online, some in other folders.
You'll have to inspect each application, and see what it does. Some things, like Firefox, have a specific export function. Other applications don't.

Swaganauticus · Sep 11, 2015

So is there any way to reinstall Windows without losing some of my stuff? Sounds like a pretty major design flaw to me.

USAFRet · Sep 11, 2015

Swaganauticus :

Depends on what you mean by 'stuff'.
Music/doc/video/etc ? Trivial. Save elsewhere and copy back.
Applications? Not so much. Parts of them actually become 'part' of the OS. Registry entries, and other locations that will get overwritten with a new OS.

Why is this? Well, back in the early Windows days, each application had its own .ini file. This specified all of its settings, where it's dependant files are located, etc. You could mostly copy an application elsewhere, and have it 'just work'.
This also mean huge duplication. Each application installed its own set of stuff. Stuff that could, and should be, shared.
A printer, perhaps. Everything would have its own print driver, for all your printers. Today....just reference the shared resource. Tell 'Windows' to Print, and let Windows handle the interchange. Rather than the browser, wod processor, image editor....all having its own printing application for ALL printers.

Now...should 'Windows' know everything there is to know about every possible application? Obviously not. There are millions.
Hence, reinstall the applications following a new OS install.

Swaganauticus · Sep 12, 2015

So if I copy all of my programmes onto an external HDD and reinstall afterwards, I will definitely lose any data associated with them?

USAFRet · Sep 12, 2015

Swaganauticus :

You can't 'copy' the programs to elsewhere.
You need to run whatever install routine they come with. Why? During a program installation, it creates many, many Registry entries, as well as other folders elsewhere.
For most (but not all) applications, simply copying them does not work.

Swaganauticus · Sep 12, 2015

So I copy all the installers over, reinstall afterwards, and continue where I left off?

USAFRet · Sep 12, 2015

Swaganauticus :

Mostly, yes.
Any settings from your original applications will be gone, unless you can actually find that data, and copy it over. Every application is different.

Swaganauticus · Sep 12, 2015

So that means save games not already on the Steam cloud, designs from CAD programmes, desktop layout, OS preferences etc are all gone? *.

USAFRet · Sep 12, 2015

Swaganauticus :

CAD designs are classified as 'files'. Not programs. Save those elsewhere.
Save games you can probably find where they are. Save those elsewhere.
Desktop layout and OS preferences? Gone.

Swaganauticus · Sep 12, 2015

Will my stuff be saved automatically in D: or will I have to move every little bit of stored data I have into the ExHDD?

USAFRet · Sep 12, 2015

Swaganauticus :

Is D a partition, or another drive?
Generally, a new OS install only affects the partition or drive you install it on.
However, mistakes do happen. It is MUCH safer to have that data offline during the process.

Swaganauticus · Sep 12, 2015

Partition. Does that mean I'll have to clone my entire D: drive?

USAFRet · Sep 12, 2015

Swaganauticus :

No. But it is much more likely to make a mistake and have that go away, than if it was an actual physical drive that was disconnected. I read about that weekly in here.
However...if you are careful and do the reinstall correctly, only the C drive will be affected.

Having said that....you should have your data backed up to another drive anyway and always, just in case.

USAFRet · Sep 12, 2015

Swaganauticus :

We're talking about the OS reinstall, not a clone, right?

Swaganauticus · Sep 12, 2015

This is being done by a professional Microsoft call centre guy, and the .iso has already been downloaded.

USAFRet · Sep 12, 2015

Swaganauticus :

"a professional Microsoft call centre guy" ?
Did you call them, or did they call you? How did the MS call center get involved?

Swaganauticus · Sep 12, 2015

Messaged them via their website, got connected, their equivalent of a GP fiddled around on RC for a while, then connected me to a specialist who said there's not much I can do except reinstall and try again. They're definitely legit.

USAFRet · Sep 12, 2015

Swaganauticus :

OK, just checking. There are far too many instances of 'the Microsoft guy called me and...'

Yeah, reinstall your OS. Along with all the other junk needed...

Swaganauticus · Sep 12, 2015

So, just to recap, I need to copy my entire D: drive onto an ExtHDD, reinstall windows, copy D: back and overwrite old and possible corrupted D: and then reinstall all the programs worth reinstalling. Is that about right?

USAFRet · Sep 12, 2015

Swaganauticus :

You should not need to mess with your D partition. Copy it elsewhere just to be safe, but it should hopefully be fine.

When you install, you are just installing to (and over writing) the current C partition.

How do I reinstall all my programmes without losing data?

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