Recover entire windows 10 install from windows.old

My pc recently ran into some issues and I had to end up reinstalling windows to fix the boot (which is done). But I must've accidentally installed windows again on the drive that I wanted to fix since there is a windows.old folder with all my programs, files, etc.

That was indeed a windows 10 version inside the windows.old and I was wondering in there was a way I could recover or restore everything (all user profiles, settings, programs, files, and hopefully even the product key).

1 Answer

According to answers.microsoft.com:

1. Start your PC as Windows attempts to load and the spinning dots appear, press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds. This is known as a Hard Shut Down (Do this twice )
2. Turn on your computer for the 3rd time and it should come up in the Recovery Environment
3. You will be prompted for System Repair/Safe Mode/Command Prompt
4. Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Revert to previous build of Windows
5. If this is unsuccessful, go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Options - Reset this PC Choose to keep your files and apps.

Another way to do it (without a reboot) using windows options AND a video step by step is right here.

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