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If I reinstall Vista, will I lose all my files?

My computer crash and I am reinstalling Windows Vista from the installation disc. If I do so, will I still have all my files and data or will they be gone? Thank you!

Update:

crashed*

5 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Yes, you will. Reinstalling (and reformatting) will erase the hard disk and you'll start from zero again. Here's what you can do to save your files:

    1. Get a computer technician to retrieve your files. It'll use up a bit of cash, but this is the easiest way to go.

    2. You could plug in the hard disk to another computer (with its original hard disk still inside, so you have two hard disks, the original and yours), then access your files from there. Then you put your files on a CD/DVD, on a flash drive/thumb drive/whatever you call it, or on the internet if they aren't too many.

    3. OR you could simply use the Vista Recovery Disc's repair function. That will fix up and sort through any crash-related problems without touching your files. And it's much easier than reinstalling Vista.

    And finally, to make sure this doesn't happen again, be sure to backup your files regularly. Keep your important files on an external hard drive, or on a flash drive or something.

  • 1 decade ago

    No, during the install process you should have a choice to re-install without deleting everything on the hard drive. Only Vista itself will be re-installed and your data will be left intact. You will need to re-patch the newly installed system to be up-to-date.

    Source(s): Experience working and using computers.
  • xena
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    attempt utilizing the fix Console, start up your workstation, flow F8 and into probability-free Mode. There there is an admin account you should use to pass the fix characteristic and/or reset your password for the account on their. in case you reinstall, you'll lose your information. the purely way might want to be to position in domicile windows again on yet another partition, only ought to inform the installation procedure now to not overwrite the partition you've now.

  • 1 decade ago

    Why re-install Vista and have the same trouble over and over again. Go get a copy of Linux Mint or Dream Linux and say good bye to Malware forever.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    They will be gone.

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