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In-place Repair Upgrade

(Keeping Files and Apps)

Performing an in-place repair upgrade using a Windows ISO file is a good way to fix system errors. Here is how to do it.

  • Download the Windows ISO that matches your desired version, language, and architecture.
    • To check the installed Windows architecture, open PowerShell as administrator and enter: 
      (Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment").PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE
      AMD64/x64 indicates 64-bit; x86 indicates 32-bit.
    • To check the installed Windows language, enter this command: 
      dism /english /online /get-intl | find /i "Default system UI language"
      Alternatively, use this command: 
      [Globalization.CultureInfo]::GetCultureInfo([Convert]::ToInt32((Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Nls\Language").InstallLanguage, 16)).Name
    • Note: If you are running the Enterprise LTSC edition, you must download that specific edition's ISO file. Do not download the Evaluation version, as it cannot be activated.
  • Right-click the downloaded ISO file and select Open with > Windows Explorer.
  • A new virtual DVD drive will appear in Windows Explorer, which means that the installation image has been mounted successfully.
Click here for info: Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware
  • If you are using Windows 11 or upgrading from Windows 10, you may encounter errors due to unsupported hardware.
  • To resolve this, you can switch the edition to IoT Enterprise, which is officially supported on unsupported hardware.
    • To do this, open Command Prompt as administrator and run the appropriate command below.
    • If you are using a standard Windows 11 24H2 (or newer) ISO: 
      reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" /v EditionID /d IoTEnterprise /f
    • If you are using the Windows 11 LTSC 2024 ISO: 
      reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" /v EditionID /d IoTEnterpriseS /f
  • Proceed immediately to run setup.exe as described below.
  • Open the mounted DVD drive and run setup.exe. Continue through the prompts until you reach the final confirmation screen.
  • Make sure that the final screen displays "Keep personal files and apps." Proceed with the installation and wait for completion.
info
  • If Windows 11 LTSC 2024 is already up to date, performing an in-place repair upgrade requires the latest monthly updated ISO.
  • Since Microsoft does not provide updated ISO files for LTSC, you will need to manually update the ISO file.
tip
  • If you do not see the option to keep files and apps, or if the setup displays an error, you can connect with us for help.