Solved How do I reinstall Windows 8.1 with an installation media but not lose any files?

[zzpzz]

So a couple of days ago I combined my Windows 8.1 and Ubuntu partitions together. Apparently, Ubuntu still requires that same partition to be used, therefore the computer will launch grub rescue when started up, but the drive still contains Windows OS data and my Windows files on it. So, would it be possible to reinstall Windows 8.1 without launching the installed OS and also keep my files and programs?

 

[Brink]

Hello zzpzz, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You could do a repair install of Windows 8.1 using the method in the tutorial below to reinstall Windows 8.1 without losing anything.

Repair Install Windows 8

How to Repair Install Windows 8 and 8.1 without Losing Anything Windows 8 introduced the option to refresh and reset your PC to repair or reinstall Windows 8 with as needed. These new features are great for what they are intended for, but there are some drawbacks to them. When you reset your...

www.eightforums.com

 

[zzpzz]

Hello zzpzz, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You could do a repair install of Windows 8.1 using the method in the tutorial below to reinstall Windows 8.1 without losing anything.

Repair Install Windows 8

How to Repair Install Windows 8 and 8.1 without Losing Anything Windows 8 introduced the option to refresh and reset your PC to repair or reinstall Windows 8 with as needed. These new features are great for what they are intended for, but there are some drawbacks to them. When you reset your...

www.eightforums.com

Thanks for the reply, but choosing the upgrade option brings me to this.

I am unable to access the computer's installed Windows OS as it will automatically take me to grub rescue upon restart. If it helps, I used EasyBCD to dual boot Windows and Ubuntu on seperate partitions.

 

[Brink]

Ah, that's why. You will have to be able to run Windows Setup from within Windows to do a repair install. It cannot be done at boot. Otherwise, it would basically be clean install.

There's also the issue of Grub and the dual boot with Ubuntu which I'm not familiar enough to help on that part.

Are you able to backup anything you do not want to lose if you did have to do a clean install?

 

[zzpzz]

Ah, that's why. You will have to be able to run Windows Setup from within Windows to do a repair install. It cannot be done at boot. Otherwise, it would basically be clean install.

There's also the issue of Grub and the dual boot with Ubuntu which I'm not familiar enough to help on that part.

Are you able to backup anything you do not want to lose if you did have to do a clean install?

Turns out, I was able to fix it by resetting the MBR. Thanks for your help though!

 

[Brink]

Great news.