[SOLVED] windows 11 BSOD, install windows 10 keep files?

[_D34D_]

When windows 11 dropped I used a workaround to install it on my pc even though it didn't meet the requirements. Fast forward to now something broke in my registry and windows is dead. System restore won't work and neither Will startup repair.

So I thought I'd throw a windows 11 iso on a USB and reinstall but I forgot "this pc can't run windows 11"

Can I install windows 10 without formatting the hard drive? I'm hoping to have a windows.old folder to retrieve my work in progress music projects.

 

[Colif]

Can I install windows 10 without formatting the hard drive?

not that I am aware of. Win 10 isn't an upgrade path for windows 11.

boot from installer and do this to save any info you currently have on drive

• on screen after languages, choose repair this pc, not install.
• choose troubleshoot
• choose advanced
• choose command prompt
• type notepad and press enter
• in notepad, select file>open
• Use file explorer to copy any files you need to save to USB or another hdd

then reinstall win 10

 

[USAFRet]

There is no "Go back and keep files"

For any major software change, you really really really need a known good copy of all your personal data saved offline somewhere.
Even if a change like this WERE possible.
But it is not.

 

[_D34D_]

I

There is no "Go back and keep files"

For any major software change, you really really really need a known good copy of all your personal data saved offline somewhere.
Even if a change like this WERE possible.
But it is not.

Thanks for the quick replies yall

Let me ask an alternative question,

Can I get around the windows 11 minimum requirements without already having a working desktop environment?

I was also thinking perhaps some sort of partitioning software booted off of USB could maybe create a partition out of my extra storage space to install windows without formatting the rest of the ssd?

 

[USAFRet]

"get around the minimum requirements"
WHY?

If the system does not meet Win 11 requirements, why the need for Win 11?

And, assuming there is some magical series of steps to get this running with Win 11, you STILL need a known good backup of anything you do not wish to lose.
Just in case.

And if you have that, there is little need to jump through hoops trying to keep in in place.


But to make something to attempt to install with, you probably need a working environment.

 

[_D34D_]

"get around the minimum requirements"
WHY?

If the system does not meet Win 11 requirements, why the need for Win 11?

And, assuming there is some magical series of steps to get this running with Win 11, you STILL need a known good backup of anything you do not wish to lose.
Just in case.

And if you have that, there is little need to jump through hoops trying to keep in in place.


But to make something to attempt to install with, you probably need a working environment.

It's not that I want windows 11 it's that I want to get my files without buying a new hard drive as I'm not I a position to do that at the moment. Installing windows 11 was a terrible idea and I'm now trying to mitigate the consequences. If I were to get windows 11 installed and regain access to my files, I would secure them and install windows 10

 

[USAFRet]

It's not that I want windows 11 it's that I want to get my files without buying a new hard drive as I'm not I a position to do that at the moment. Installing windows 11 was a terrible idea and I'm now trying to mitigate the consequences. If I were to get windows 11 installed and regain access to my files, I would secure them and install windows 10

You need another drive.

Yes, I understand the budget thing.
But any move you make from here may result in the complete loss of whatever you have.

Even with a perfect set of instructions.

 

[Colif]

did you try the method I showed?

I don't know how many files you have, I guess if its a large amount USB Flash drives wouldn't cover it but they can be pretty big now, and not that expensive. Just a thought.

 

[scottyswayne]

you can install windows 11 by a usb that has the tpm bypass just look it up as i cannot give you the link you need an windows 11 iso rufus can get that for you use another pc to do it then find the site that has the tpm fix that gose into your support folder be in mind it will work on non tpm systems if it has a tpm 1.0 port at least u have to buy the tpm chip if you want tpm for it no tpm ports means its just too old for windows 11 and if it worked once then its fine its not uncommon for regrety files to funk up make sure you use a premuim antivirus and proactive firewall like norton delux no protection can cause spyware and malware to edit your regstry sqewing up your pc