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The ultimate solution every Windows user resorts to is reinstallation. Installing a fresh copy of Windows resolve most problems with computers. Sometimes, while running Windows 10 setup, you get an error that renders you incapable of keeping files and settings. It may provide you this message:
You can’t keep Windows settings, personal files, and apps because your current version of Windows might be installed in an unsupported directory.
Why are you getting this problem? There are a lot of things that may be causing this. Read on to fix this unsupported directory issue.
Case #1: Current Version and Installation Media Mismatch
Some users receive the error because there is a difference installation media version and installed Windows. That means they are performing a clean install on a Windows 10 Pro installation using a Windows 10 Home installation disk. This will simply not go through because of the difference in installation version. This kind of problem can also arise if you are using a 32-bit installation media on a 64 bit Windows or vise-versa.
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To avoid receiving this kind of problem, use an installation media similar to the current version of Windows installed in the PC. You can check your PC’s Windows version by right-clicking the This PC icon and then opening Properties. Download the correct version of Windows when you are installing and use the official Windows Installation Media Creation Tool to perform the installation. However, before installing, try to do the following to resolve the issue.
Case #2: User Folder was Moved
Your computer has a User Folder under drive C, that is “C:\Users\.” This is default for all Windows installation. However, you may happen to accidentally move your ‘User’ folder corresponding to your account. Without this folder in its rightful place, Windows will not be able to clean install due to lost files needed to be backed up before performing a fresh install. Locate the folder and move it back to its place. Otherwise, you will have no other choice but manually backup this folder and perform a clean install.
Case #3: Change in Registry Values
Changes in the registry value can cause different kinds of problems with the computer like failure to get upgrades or perform reinstallation. This may also result to unsupported directory error. To make sure you address this issue, open regedit by typing it on the Cortana search bar. Once in the registry editor window, navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
Locate the registry value ProgramFilesDir to check if the value is C:\Program Files.
When Windows setup can’t locate the correct Program Files folder, this can cause errors in keeping files and installing Windows. Correcting the problem will help resolve the issue.
You can also repair reinstall using your media disk. Open Repair your computer to perform troubleshoot scans and check if that helps.
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