Written by
Wilsey YoungSummary: This post focuses on the in-place upgrade on Windows, exploring what it does, when it's used, its benefits, limitations, and what makes it different from a clean install. -From m3datarecovery.com
For general Windows users, running the Windows Update from the Settings app is the most straightforward way to perform a system update. This post focuses on the in-place upgrade, which many users may not be familiar with.
What does an in-place upgrade do? What can we benefit from it? What should we pay attention to about performing an in-place upgrade? This post covers everything about the Windows in-place upgrade we may be concerned with.
What does an in-place upgrade do on Windows
An in-place upgrade on Windows refers to the process of upgrading your current Windows system to a newer version (e.g., from Windows 10 to Windows 11) while preserving personal files, installed applications, and modified settings.
With an in-place upgrade, for example, we can upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without losing existing files, apps, and settings, which is a far cry from what a Clean Install does.
In-place upgrade saves us the trouble of restoring data from the backup copy, reinstalling third-party apps, and resetting preferred settings, so it's often considered the most effort-saving way for upgrading to a newer Windows version. 
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When an in-place upgrade is used on Windows
An in-place upgrade on Windows is often used when:
- When we tend to upgrade the system to a newer version without losing data and apps.
- When we don't want to waste much time and effort on a Clean Install.
- When we encounter a system update failure and error.
- When we run into system file corruption that SFC (System File Checker) cannot repair.
Limitations or downsides of an in-place upgrade
With respect to the in-place upgrade on Windows, here are some risks we should pay attention to:
- Carried-over system issues: If the system issues, like corruption, are deeply-rooted, an in-place upgrade may fail to fix them.
- Disk space requirement: An in-place upgrade typically needs several GBs of free disk space.
- Potential data loss: Unexpected problems or interruptions may cause data loss.
- Auto rollback: If an in-place upgrade fails, Windows usually rolls back to the previous version automatically.
Note: Though an in-place upgrade preserves your data, it's always advisable to back up data on Windows before performing it.
Difference between in-place upgrade and clean install
The comparison table below concisely explains how an in-place upgrade is different from a clean install:
| Features | In-Place Upgrade | Clean Install |
| Keeps personal files | Yes | No |
| Keeps installed apps | Yes | No |
| Keeps settings | Yes | No |
| Installation media | Required | Not required |
| Fresh system files | Yes | Yes |
| How long it takes | 30-90 minutes | Longer |
Tips: We should choose a clean install over an in-place upgrade when the system is severely corrupted, infected, or the system issue recurs constantly after an in-place upgrade.
Conclusion
A Windows in-place upgrade is essentially a system upgrade (e.g., from Windows 10 to Windows 11) that keeps personal files, installed applications, and settings intact. It's often used when users want to upgrade Windows to a newer version without losing data, especially when system update errors appear. However, it's always recommended to back up important data before doing it.
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FAQs about in-place upgrade
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An in-place upgrade refers to the process of reinstalling or upgrading Windows while keeping personal files, installed apps, and most settings intact. This is the biggest advantage of an in-place upgrade, particularly when compared with a clean install on Windows.
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Windows users often choose an in-place upgrade to: 1. Upgrade Windows to a newer version (e.g., from Windows 10 to Windows 11). 2. Repair system update failure and error. 3. Fix system file corruption that SFC (System File Checker) cannot repair. 4. Apply a feature update when Windows Update isn’t working.
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Matters needing attention before an in-place upgrade: 1. Enough free disk space (20-30GBs). 2. Back up important data. 3. A Windows installation media. 4. Stable power supply. 5. Ensure the system is not heavily corrupted or infected.