How to perform a repair upgrade of Windows 11

Are you experiencing issues with your computer and want to reinstall Windows 11 without losing your files and apps? Maybe you want to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11, and Windows Update isn't offering it. Here is how to perform a repair upgrade installation of Windows 11.

There is one thing every Windows user fears: reinstalling Windows. The fear of losing your files and installed programs will deter most people until the problem becomes too bad to ignore.

However, with Windows 11, you can perform a repair upgrade relatively easily. So, what is a repair upgrade? It is reinstalling Windows 11 using the same version (repair) or a newer version (repair/upgrade). It is often referred to as an in-place repair or upgrade.

In Windows 11 version 24H2, Microsoft added the ability to perform an in-place repair using Windows Update.

How to perform a repair install using Windows Update

Performing a repair installation of Windows 11 using Windows Update is fairly easy. Make sure you are connected to the Internet and then do the following:

1. Left-click on the Start button to bring up the Start menu.
2. In the list of pinned apps on the Start menu, left-click on Settings.
3. In the left-hand column, left-click on System.
4. Scroll down the right-hand column and left-click on Recovery.
5. In the right-hand column, find Fix problems using Windows Update and left-click on the Reinstall now button.
6. Follow the prompts, and Windows Update will download a repair version of Windows 11 and proceed to install it.

How to perform an in-place repair/upgrade using installation media

Now I have repaired several Windows computers using this method, which works most of the time. I recall one laptop with issues, specifically the inability to right-click with the touchpad or mouse, which an in-place repair installation resolved.

We first need to download the latest version of Windows 11 from Microsoft (see the link below). We will download an ISO file to reinstall Windows 11. An ISO file is the format for optical disks (CDs, DVDs, BDs).

Download Windows 11

When you reach the Windows 11 download page, scroll down until you find the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) option. You can also create an ISO file using the Create Windows 11 Installation Media tool, which involves a few additional steps.

Once you have downloaded the ISO file, you will need to create a virtual DVD drive. Locate the ISO file in File Explorer, then right-click it.

From the context menu that appears, select Mount. If you receive a security warning, left-click on Open. It will now appear as a DVD drive inside File Explorer.

Click on the DVD drive to display the contents. In the list of files and folders, you will find a program named Setup.

To ensure we run the installation with the correct privileges, right-click Setup and select Run as administrator from the context menu.

The first window that appears is the Windows 11 Setup screen. Usually, you would click on the Next button and proceed with the installation.

However, if you are performing a repair installation, you may want to change whether or not to download updates, drivers, and features at this time by clicking on the Change how Setup downloads updates link.

I have found that delaying downloads until after the installation is complete works best for repairing Windows.

Next, you will get the EULA (End User License Agreement). Click Accept and continue. On the next screen, you can choose whether to keep your files and apps or remove them.

By default, both files and apps are saved. When you are ready to begin the installation, click on Install.

Once the repair upgrade begins, it may take some time to complete.

Grab something to drink and find something to do. Your computer will restart several times during the installation.