A user's Windows 10 laptop repeatedly shows a blue-screen error and reboots. After standard troubleshooting (driver checks, malware scans, SFC, etc.) the problem continues. The user urgently needs the computer working but cannot risk losing any personal files. Which action should the technician take next to fix Windows while preserving the user's data?
Perform a clean installation of Windows.
Use System Restore to roll back to the last restore point.
Perform a Windows repair (in-place upgrade) installation.
Reinstall the application suspected of causing the crash.
A repair (in-place upgrade) installation reinstalls Windows over itself, replacing corrupted system files while offering the option Keep personal files and apps, so the user's documents and programs remain in place.
A clean install removes everything, which the user specifically wants to avoid.
System Restore does keep personal files, but it only rolls the OS back to an earlier configuration; if no suitable restore point exists or the corruption is outside what System Restore monitors, the BSOD can persist.
Re-installing a single application would not address widespread system-file corruption causing a blue screen.
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What is the purpose of System Restore, and why might it not solve a BSOD issue?