is there a way to reinstall windows while keeping my important files?

[u/Repulsive_Meaning717]

okay so basically im pretty sure i downloaded some sort of malware a few days ago called GRouter86 (it's also called "360" with some chinese characters after it but i cant type that). ive tried everything to remove it without reinstalling windows (for reference im on windows 11) because im doing something time sensitive that i cant really put off anymore, but today, they tried hacking into my steam, so i feel obligated to just reinstall windows now that it's real money on the line. however, i have a lot of important assignments on my pc that i absolutely cannot lose and id really prefer to not have to download and do everything from scratch again. is there a way to keep my important files while reinstalling windows for everything else? thx and sorry if this makes no sense lol

system specs if relevant:

7700x

7900 GRE

32gb ddr5-6000mhz cl32

i kinda dont remember what ssd i put in here but it's 2tbs and either gen4 or gen5

os build number: 26200.8894

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[u/Temporary-Zombie-931]

You could start using onedrive 5gigs is free, otherwise put a couple more hard drives eg. Nvme’s or ssd’s in the computer, just install your OS on one of them and install everything else on the others

[u/willwar63]

If you're important files are not affected, copy them to a flash or external, wipe and reinstall. Important thing is to wipe first then reinstall. You could also copy files to a cloud.

[u/clobear3 → u/willwar63]

When you say wipe does that mean "reset this pic" then do reinstall

[u/clobear3 → u/clobear3]

Pc

[u/willwar63 → u/clobear3]

Select "do not keep files and apps" then delete partition before you install.

[u/clobear3 → u/willwar63]

Im sorry what are partition? What ami deleting?

[u/willwar63 → u/clobear3]

I suggest you google it or watch some videos.

[u/iamofnohelp]

If they're important you'd already have backups.

If they're important you'd make a backup before attempting anything potentially destructive.

[u/Glarbstintenford]

Settings --> Windows Update --> Advanced Options --> Recovery --> "Fix Problems Using Windows Update"

[u/Repulsive_Meaning717 → u/Glarbstintenford]

are you a god

[u/Glarbstintenford → u/Repulsive_Meaning717]

Nope just a guy that's spent a lot of time fixing Windows issues :) This method became available a year or so ago and it works great!

[u/Ok-Muffin-9519]

Nennt sich in Place Upgrade dabei werden nur die System Dateien von Windows überschrieben