If I re-install Windows XP will I lose my files?

Question

I think I am going to re-install Windows XP on my PC, because I think it will cure some of the problems it keeps giving me. Will I lose any files and installed programs?

Answer 1

If you have to ask, you should have someone else doing the job.

Answer 2

Most likely you'll loose everything, that's why a re-install is usually a last resort.
Have you tried restoring your computer from a previous restore point? This works pretty well. To do it click start, help, and search for keyword restore. select restore from previous restore point then select the point you want to restore from. Windows will restore your system to the point you select then will automatically re-boot.
You won't loose anything on your computer, it just resets everything to a point when everything worked fine.
If your problem is virus related and anti-virus software can't clean it up the virus will still be there along with everything else.
Sometimes, and I know you don't want to hear this, if a virus is too pervasive or embedded the only option is a complete reformat and re-install.

Answer 3

Put xp install disk in at options screen choose repair windows leave file system as it is will restore to your original file system but leave your other files on the drive after install run your anti virus software to remove any viruses your system should be back to normal you can then put your xp up dates back on

Answer 4

Yes You will lose all Your files as windows X P Installation wipes Your hard drive completely clean You will have to re_install everything that You had before Internet, printers the lot

Answer 5

if u really wanna use trouble free xp i recomed that u copy all ur necessary files to d: drive and reinstall xp on c: by formating it. Yes ur programms which u installed are washed out automatically u have to install them again but u can save the files which u create from these softwares

Answer 6

I can tell you EXACTLY how to fix your problem (s)
do the following and in order, you will need your xp disk when asked for :
START then RUN then type in CMD then press enter, a smallblack screen will pop up. Here you are going to enter the following command line sfc/ scannow and then press enter * rem theres a space between sfc/ and scannow . this will cause windows to check for missing or changed damaged files and as its doing so it will ask you to insert your xp disk in cd drive so as to compare and then repair/ replace any damaged or lost files... Enjoy~ btw backing up a damaged file is not a bright idea nor is reformatting if you dont have to. try this method 1st as it does no damage or data loss whatsoever ...

Answer 7

be careful with a repair install it sometimes doesn't work depending on why you are doing it.
I did this for someone else it didn't work.

My suggestion back up your documents to cd/dvd, find your original installation disks for your hardware and everything else and do a clean install.
What ever the problem was will be gone it worked for me, yes it may take a few hours but it works.

Answer 8

ya u will loss all data if u will over ride it or make a new installation on it. so 1st back up all data in another partition like D coz this will install in C partition so go to your C And locate all possible data and move them in D and then u can even format c and install your new copy of window

Answer 9

If you format, you will lose everything. If you just do a Repair install, you will not lose anything except a few settings.

Answer 10

Always very wise to do a back-up first, then repair and if all else fails complete reinstall.

Good Luck

Answer 11

BEFORE RE-INSATLLING U MUST PUT YR FILES IN USB OR ANYWHERE,BUT NOT IN YR COMPUTER. THAN U CAN MAKE THE RE-INSTALL.

BELIVE ME, I TELL U FROM THE XPERINCE, CUZ I DID THE SAME THING, BUT I FORGOT TO SAVE MY FILES.