How to overwrite install Windows 10 and 11, and how to run it when it does not start

This time, we will explain how to perform an overwrite installation of Windows 10 or Windows 11.

To perform an overwrite installation, the following steps are roughly required.

1. Get tools to create installation media
2. Create installation media on USB etc.
3. Run the installation
4. Perform various settings

We will also explain the difference between overwrite installation and clean installation, and how to install when Windows does not start, so we hope you will find it helpful.

Difference between overwrite installation and clean installation of Windows 10

There are two ways to install Windows: overwrite installation and clean installation.

An overwrite installation means to reinstall only Windows, leaving the data and apps as they are. Also called a repair installation.

A clean install is a method that deletes (formats) everything including data and apps before installing the OS.

In addition, "Upgrade", which can be selected when performing an installation, corresponds to an overwrite installation, and "Custom" corresponds to a clean installation.

Each installation method has different options for transferring and formatting apps, so it is important to choose the one that suits your purpose.

Advantages and disadvantages of overwriting Windows 10 installation

The advantages of overwrite installation include the following:

• The data and software you were using will not be deleted.
• Can be done in a relatively short time

The disadvantages are as follows.

• Unable to perform a complete reset
• Overwrite installation cannot be performed if Windows does not start normally.

In such cases, a clean installation, which is explained in the next section, is suitable.

Overwrite installation inherits apps and data, but may fail.
Therefore, it is recommended that you back up your data as much as possible.

Advantages and disadvantages of a clean install of Windows 10

The benefits of a clean install include:

• high success rate
• There is a high probability that the problem will be resolved

The disadvantages are as follows.

• All data will be lost, so backup is required if necessary.
• Depending on the software/application, it may be determined that it is a different OS and a license error may occur.
• it takes time

This clean install is effective if the OS is malfunctioning due to a virus or other problem.
However, as mentioned in the disadvantages section, your data will be deleted, so don't forget to back it up.

How to overwrite (repair) install Windows 10 (USB)

Here we will explain how to perform an overwrite installation using a USB.
Although data will be inherited with an overwrite installation, we recommend that you back up your data as much as possible, considering the possibility of failure.

The method for overwrite installation (repair installation) of Windows 10 is as follows.

1. Get tools to create installation media
2. Create installation media on USB
3. Perform an overwrite installation of Windows 10 from installation media

The specific steps are listed below.

[Procedure for overwriting installation (repair installation) of Windows 10]

[What you need: USB (required capacity is 8GB or more)]

1. First, create the installation media required for overwrite installation on USB.
• Connect the USB to your PC.
• Downloading a Windows 10 disk image (ISO file)Select Download Tool Now.
• Run the downloaded tool.
• When the license terms are displayed, select "Agree".
• Select "Create installation media for another PC".
• Select Next.
• Select Next on the Select Language, Architecture, and Edition screen.
• On the "Select the media you want to use" screen, select "USB flash drive".
• Select Next.
• Select the connected USB.
• Select Next.
• Select Done.
2. Select the USB of the installation media you created and select "setup" in the USB.
3. When "User Account Control" appears, select "Yes".
4. When "Installing Windows 10" appears, select "Next".
5. When the license terms are displayed, select "Agree".
6. When "Ready to install" is displayed, select "Install".
7. Wait approximately 40 minutes for the installation to complete.

How to clean install Windows 10

Creating an installation media is also required when performing a clean installation of Windows 10.
Also, a clean install will delete all data by formatting the disk, so be sure to back it up.

The method for clean installation of Windows 10 is as follows.

1. Get tools to create installation media
2. Create installation media on USB
3. Make a note of the partition where the OS you are using is stored
4. Run the installation media
5. Delete the saved partition
6. Install into unallocated space

The specific steps are listed below.

[Steps for clean installation of Windows 10]

[What you need: USB (required capacity is 8GB or more)]

1. First, create the installation media required for overwrite installation on USB.

• 1. Connect the USB to your PC.
• 2. Downloading a Windows 10 disk image (ISO file)Select Download Tool Now.
• 3. Run the downloaded tool.
• 4. Select "Agree" when the license terms are displayed.
• 5. Select "Create installation media for another PC" and select "Next".
• 6. Select Next on the Select Language, Architecture, and Edition screen.
• 7. At the "Select the media you want to use" screen, select "USB flash drive" and select "Next".
• 8. Select the connected USB and select "Next".
• 9. Select Finish.

1. Right-click on "Start (Windows mark)".
2. Select Disk Management.
3. Make a note of the capacity of the partition where Windows is installed.
   Usually (C:) is the primary partition.
4. Select "Start (Windows mark)".
5. Select "Settings (gear mark)".
6. Select Update & Security.
7. Select "Recovery".
8. Select Restart Now.
9. On the Choose an Option screen, select Use Device.
10. Select "USB Storage".
11. When the installation media boots, select Next.
12. Select "Install now".
13. When the license terms are displayed, check "I agree" and select "Next".
14. When "Select your installation type" appears, select "Custom: Install Windows only."
15. Select the Windows partition that matches the capacity you noted down.
16. Select "Delete".
17. When the confirmation message appears, select OK.
18. Select the unallocated space where you deleted the partition earlier.
19. Select Next.
20. Select the range on the "Are you sure this is the area you live in?" screen.
21. Select "Yes".
22. Check the screen that asks "Are you sure you want this keyboard layout?" and select "Yes".
23. When the message "Do you want to add a second keyboard layout?" appears, operate as necessary. (Here, select "Skip".)
24. When "Let's connect to the network" appears, select "I'm not connected to the Internet."
25. Select "Continue with limited settings".
26. Review the license agreement and select "Agree".
27. When asked "Who will be using this PC?", enter the name of the person who will be using the PC and select "Next".
28. A password setting screen will be displayed, so set it and select "Next".
29. Double-check your password and select Next.
30. When prompted to "Create a security question for this account," set the question and answer and select "Next."
31. Set the second and third questions in the same way.
32. To configure face recognition settings, select "Setup" and configure.
33. Select "PIN Settings" and set.
34. It also guides you through activity history, digital assistant, privacy settings, and more.

How to overwrite Windows 11 (USB)

Here we will explain how to perform an overwrite installation using a USB.
We recommend that you make a backup even if you perform an overwrite installation.

The method for overwrite installation (repair installation) of Windows 11 is as follows.

1. Get tools to create installation media
2. Create installation media on USB
3. Perform an overwrite installation of Windows 11 from installation media

The specific steps are listed below.

[Procedure for overwriting installation (repair installation) of Windows 11]

[What you need: USB (required capacity is 8GB or more)]

1. First, create the installation media required for overwrite installation on USB.
• Connect the USB to your PC.
• Download Windows 11Go to and select "Download Now".
• Run the downloaded tool.
• When "User Account Control" appears, select "Yes".
• Review the license terms and select "Agree".
• Select an option under "Select language and edition" and select "Next".
• When prompted to select the media you want to use, select USB flash drive.
• Select Next.
• Select the connected USB and select "Next".
• When you see "Downloading Windows 11", wait for it to complete.
• When you see "USB flash drive is ready," select "Finish."
2. Open the installation media you created and select "setup".
3. When "User Account Control" appears, select "Yes".
4. When "Installing Windows 11" appears, select "Change how Setup downloads updates" and change the options as needed.
5. Select Next.
6. Review the license terms and select "Agree".
7. When "Ready to install" is displayed, make sure that "Keep personal files and apps" is checked.
   →If it is not displayed, select "Change what will be inherited" and change the contents.
8. Select "Install".
9. Wait until the installation is complete.

How to overwrite installation when Windows 10 does not start

If Windows 10 does not start, you cannot perform an overwrite installation.

This is because overwrite installation is an installation method that can be performed when Windows is running normally, and cannot be performed in safe mode.

If Windows 10 does not start, there is a way to perform a custom installation from the installation media and leave the data in the user folder without formatting it.
However, if you use this method, you will need at least 32GB of free space where you want to install the OS.

The installation method if Windows 10 does not start is as follows.

1. Create installation media
2. Do a custom installation without deleting partitions
3. After installation, copy data from the user folder used in the previous OS

The specific method is described below.

[How to install when Windows 10 does not start]

1. Create installation mediaI'll leave it to you. It can also be created on another PC.
2. If Windows does not start, start the BIOS/UEFI and change the boot order of the installation media to top priority.
   (To start the BIOS, you need to press the startup key for each manufacturer when the manufacturer logo is displayed.)
3. Boot from the installation media.
4. Set various options and select Next.
5. Select "Install now".
6. On the license authentication screen, select "I don't have a product key."
7. When asked to select the operating system you want to install, select the same OS you are currently using.
8. Select Next.
9. I agree to the license terms.
10. Select "Custom: Install Windows only".
11. In "Choose where to install Windows" select the location where Windows is currently installed.
    To preserve the data, please do not delete it here.
12. After installation is complete, follow the instructions to configure various settings.
13. Once the settings are complete, search for "Windows.old" on your local disk and open it.
14. Open the folder with the corresponding user name in the "Users" folder.
15. The pre-installation data is saved, so copy and paste it into the new user folder.

You can delete the "Windows.old" folder when it is no longer needed.

Summary of how to overwrite Windows 10 and 11 and how to run it when it does not start

This time, we explained how to overwrite install Windows 10 or Windows 11, and how to do it if it does not start.

Performing an overwrite installation or clean installation may resolve problems with the OS.
However, you need to be careful because the possibility of failure is not zero.

Also, because the installation takes a long time, forcefully quitting the installation may cause the installation to fail, so please wait until the installation is complete.

Regardless of which installation method you use, it is recommended that you back up your data.
In particular, if you perform a clean install, be sure to back up your data as it will be lost.