How do you upgrade your OS without losing data?

If upgrading to windows 11 - note support starts from 8th Gen and would be ideal to have atleast 8gb of memory for optimal performance. To proceed with non-damage upgrade. Prepare a bootable pen drive to build the windows image to be used for the exercise. Ensure to select Keep all files and existing applications. Follow through with the steps and process to have the upgrade completed successfully.

It is always advisable to have a backup and a backup for the backup. Ensure the machine has enough hard disk space and the internal resources are as per the recommended systems requirements for the OS you are upgrading to if not more. Ensure your computer is plugged to a reliable power source during the upgrade process. I always have a plan B just incase the initial upgrade fails.

Another thing that should be check with requirement, whether requirement for non-OS thing enough after the upgrade. Example, we upgrade with limitation of storage, in booting process for finishing update need more space, then the device never up again.

As a tech support specialist, upgrading your OS without data loss involves careful steps. Firstly, ensure a backup of crucial data on an external drive or cloud storage. Then, perform the OS upgrade, either manually or through automatic updates, depending on your system. During the process, choose the option to keep personal files and apps. After the upgrade, double-check data integrity and app functionality. If any issues arise, restore data from your backup. This strategy safeguards your data while enjoying the benefits of an upgraded OS.

Right-click Start and click Settings. Click Update & Security. Click Recovery. Click Get started (under Reset this PC). Choose whether you want to keep your files or perform a clean install. Follow the provided instructions to complete the reinstall.

When it comes to upgrading Windows operating systems to newer versions, as a rule, everything goes more or less smoothly... but only if the entire procedure is carried out smoothly from start to finish. If there is an interruption in the update process, you will almost certainly be forced to reinstall, and therefore lose a certain amount type of data. It's absolutely necessary, to make backup copies of everything that is important to you. And at least in two places! It is good to have an occasional "as-is" archive. These rules also apply to day-to-day work, regardless of whether you're upgrading a system or regularly working on your documents.

You should also backup your drivers, registry, and system files in case something goes wrong during the upgrade. <- this is not something the average user is going to be able to do. If something does go haywire, you're better off to start fresh and then restore your personal items that you backed up earlier.

You may even want to add creating a frozen snapshot just before the upgrade. This ensures that the entire state can be restored from the snapshot prior to the upgrade. Especially if your serves is virtual and on the cloud (AWS, Azure, etc).

Best method is a full system backup that would allow you to do a bare metal recovery. If you have that, you can roll back from any problems.

I prefer a clean slate so I usually just backup data such as documents images and so forth and email if not on the web I also take a screenshot or make a note of the apps they had on the device and what was being used. Most browsers you can sign in to backup bookmarks etc so I usually make sure they do that. If they have access to a cloud such as OneDrive then I would backup there instead

Always weigh in the Pros and Cons when deciding the upgrade method. By best practice, clean install is always preferred but be sure to consider the time consumption on installation of application/software and restoring files/data's on a clean/fresh install of new OS versus an in place upgrade. In a real world scenario, we cannot just upgrade a well running machine because a new OS is available and most of the time, we skip an available updated version. If upgrade is required and inplace upgrade is the only option, make sure to follow the support matrix of the OS vendor and don't just jump from your outdated OS going to the latest if you missed 2 or 3 OS versions as this will cause some weird behaviors in the OS even required specs is met

When it comes to updating your operating system, you'll need to decide how you want to go about it. There are a few different ways to go about it, like in-place updates, clean installs, and dual-boot setups. In-place upgrades keep your stuff safe while you update the OS, but it's only possible with the same version of the OS. Clean installs, on the other hand, involve erasing your drive and installing a new OS from the start. Dual-boot setups let you keep two or more OSs on one device, without having to delete the old one. To do a clean installation or dual-boot, get a USB or DVD with the new OS on it, and then restore all your stuff from your backup.

Additionally make sure that versions of any application already installed and used on the current OS prior to the upgrade is compatible with the newer OS. Apps such as SQL Server and licenses such as RDC connections. Microsoft products come with Software Assurance to protect these precisely for this reason.

To ensure an error-free and uninterrupted upgrade process, strict following to the specified instructions is required. Start the process by turning off all running programs, disconnecting any unused peripherals, and making sure your device is powered on. Check to see if your internet connection is reliable and secure. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully and then wait patiently for the update procedure to be finished. You should never force a restart of your device or turn it off while an upgrade is in progress because this could cause unanticipated issues.

Ensure that there is little to no risk of someone tripping over your power cable and accidentally disconnecting power to the computer if it’s a desktop. If you choose to check for update during the upgrade process, bare in mind this would increase the overall time to complete and you may be unable to change the option until the process is completed.

To ensure a smooth transition after the update, it's critical to validate the results. Start by making sure that all systems are performing at their peak levels and that your data is untouched. Examine the functionality, security settings, and OS compatibility of your device. Your files, settings, and apps must be thoroughly examined in order to find any potentially corrupted or missing data. If you run into any problems, think about troubleshooting to fix them. If necessary, you can use the backup you already made to restore your device to its original OS, giving you a backup in case any unanticipated problems arise.

This is a good time to take another full system backup (keeping the before upgrade on as well.) You will have another point that you can roll back to if subsequent steps go badly.

Back Up Your Data: Before you start the OS upgrade process, it's crucial to back up all your important files and data. You can use an external hard drive, cloud storage, or a backup software to create a complete backup. Check for Updates and download Upgrade: Visit the official website of the OS you want to upgrade to (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux) and download the upgrade installer. During the upgrade process, you'll typically be given the choice to keep your personal files and applications. Make sure to select this option to avoid data loss. Restore Backup (If Necessary): If you encounter any issues during or after the upgrade, or if you notice data loss, you can restore your files and settings from the backup you created in step 1.

Update your OS without losing data. 1. Never save your data on local drive 2. Applied or implement Infrastructure as a code practice 3. Always sycn with cloud drive before update your OS 4. Always backuo the image before update.