Repair or reinstall Windows?
If Windows is no longer working properly, there are several ways to repair or reinstall your system. We show you which variant you should use when and how you can proceed.
Repair Windows or reinstall right away?
- If there is only a small problem in your system, a quick repair using Windows is usually worthwhile. Errors are often reliably found and eliminated.
- If that doesn't help or if serious problems occur more and more frequently, a completely new installation is more sensible. This not only removes all complications, but also your data and settings.
- In Windows 8 and 10 you will find a refresh function. This will reinstall Windows, but your personal data and installed programs will remain. This is often a reasonable compromise between repair and reinstallation.
Windows 8 and 10: Repair or reinstall the system
- Repairing and reinstalling is particularly easy under Windows 8, 8.1 and Windows 10. With the system settings, you can completely reinstall Windows with one click or repair your system by "refreshing" it. You can find instructions in the practical tip "Restore Windows 8 without CD".
- Alternatively, you can download the ISO file from Windows and start the installation with a double click. If your computer no longer works properly, making installation unavailable during operation, the ISO file can also be installed on a DVD, external hard drive or USB stick. You can find detailed instructions in this CHIP article.
Windows Vista and 7: Repair or reinstall the system
- Repairing Windows 7 and Windows Vista is unfortunately not that easy. For this you need a recovery CD, which you can download from Microsoft. The following instructions work under Windows Vista as well as under Windows 7.
- If the repair is too complex for you, simply reinstall Windows. The instructions in this practical tip are carried out in a few minutes. Alternatively, you can also download the ISO file for Windows here and install it on an external data medium. You can find more information in our CHIP article.
In the next practical tip, we will show you how to repair a defective USB stick.