Forum Discussion
Sephie
Jun 27, 2025Iron Contributor
Why keep personal files and apps option greyed out during windows 11 upgrade?
I heard it is totally possible keep all files and apps when upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10. However, when I tried to do this, the option keeps and apps greyed out and I can't choose it all. ...
JettStone
Jun 27, 2025Iron Contributor
Doing an upgrade when the Keep files and apps greyed out is greyed out can be a bit risky, but it’s not always a disaster. Here's the deal:
In my own "digital adventures," I've seen folks try to jump straight into upgrades expecting everything to just work smoothly, but sometimes things go sideways—like apps not launching properly or settings getting messed up. Usually, if you proceed with a "Keep files only" or a fresh install, you’re safer from potential upgrade hiccups, but you lose some convenience.
Risks involved:
- Apps might break or not work properly after the upgrade, especially if they rely on outdated drivers or software.
- Settings and configurations could get lost or corrupted.
- System instability if something goes wrong during the upgrade process.
- Potential data loss if backups weren't made beforehand (so always back up your files first).
My advice about Keeping files and apps greyed out:
- Always back up your important files just in case.
- If possible, try to fix the root cause of why the option is greyed out (like running updates or system scans).
- If you’re feeling a bit wary, consider doing a clean install—it’s more work but often more reliable.
- Use the Media Creation Tool to do an in-place upgrade, which tends to be smoother and more predictable.