Reinstalling Windows is a process that can go well in many ways. Choosing which options you want to use for your system is the hardest part. One example is deciding whether to use local files or the cloud to reinstall Windows.
What is a Local Reinstallation?
When you use local files, the files you need to restore Windows are already on your computer. To update your operating system, you don’t have to look for them, download them, or do anything else with outside resources.
Local reinstallation was the norm for a long time, and for many reasons, it is still popular today. But Microsoft made a new way to do a restore without already having the files, and that way might be better for some people.
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What is a Cloud Reinstallation?
For cloud reinstallation to work, your computer must connect to the internet, download the files it needs to reset Windows, and then use those files instead of the ones it already has.
This more recent option gives you the same version of Windows as the local installation. Even though you’re getting it directly from Microsoft, you’ll probably still need to update it, just like when you reinstall it locally.
But just because something is newer doesn’t mean it’s always the best choice. When you reset Windows, you’ll always make the right choice if you know how to use both local and cloud reinstallation methods well.
Where Do I Find Local and Cloud Installation?
The Windows Reset function is where you can find the options for Local and Cloud installation.
- Press the Windows Key + X.
- Choose Settings.
- Choose Update and Security.
- Choose Recovery in the left pane.
- Click Get Started under Reset This PC.
- Select whether you want to keep your files or remove them.
- Choose Cloud or Local Reinstall.
From here, you follow the prompts to complete the installation. Don’t forget to back up your files before you begin if you choose to remove them.
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How are Local and Cloud Reinstallation the Same?
Both local installation and cloud installation do the same thing, which is to reinstall Windows on your computer. Both times, the operating system will be the same. For example, if you want to reinstall Windows 10 Home, choosing cloud files won’t give you Windows 10 Professional.
Both do the same thing and have the same effect. The only difference is how they do it.
How are Local and Cloud Reinstallation Different?
Only how you get the files is different between local and cloud installations.
With local installation, the files are already on your computer because they came with Windows. When Windows is put on your device for the first time, they are there as a backup.
The files on the computer are not used by cloud installation to reinstall Windows. Instead, the computer connects to Microsoft’s servers and downloads the necessary files. It then uses those files to install the new copy of Windows on your PC.
Instead of using local files, getting files from the cloud uses up your internet data. The time for both of them will depend on how fast your connection is and how good your local files are.
Which Download Taks Longer: Local or Cloud?
You can’t tell if the local download or the cloud download will take longer. It depends on how fast you can download and how good the files you already have on your computer are.
If you have a fast Internet connection and a good connection to the server, downloading from the cloud might take less time than using your local files. This goes against what you might think, but there’s a good reason for it.
Local files can get broken or corrupted, which can make it take longer for Windows to find them and get them ready to use. It really depends on what works best with your computer. You can always try one way, stop, and try the other one if it seems too slow.
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Is Cloud or Local Installation Better?
None of them is better than the other. Which one is best depends on what you want and what you have. Both are good because they can reset your operating system when you need to.
Choose cloud installation if your internet is fast and you aren’t sure if your files are in good shape. Because you have fast internet and plenty of bandwidth, the download won’t take too long or use up all of your monthly data.
With cloud installation, you get a clean copy of the files, so none of them will be missing or broken.
If you can’t finish the process because of errors, you don’t have to switch to installation media right away. Instead, you can try some troubleshooting steps. You can also try turning it off and on again and using the other installation option.
Who Should Choose Local Installation?
Consider a local installation if your internet is slow or you don’t want to use your data to download new Windows files.
As long as your computer’s system files are not damaged in any way, using the local files shouldn’t be a problem. The files are the same ones that your computer would get from Microsoft.
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What if Local or Cloud Installation Won’t Work?
Sometimes, one of the choices won’t work, and you’ll be able to choose the other. When that happens, if you can, try to use the second choice.
If neither option works, you’ll have to reinstall Windows from the installation discs. When Windows can’t get the files it needs from the cloud and can’t use the files on its own computer, it doesn’t have many other choices.
Don’t forget that you can always use Microsoft to make your own installation media. When you install it, you’ll still need a license key to turn on your product.