After updating Windows 10 to 1079 version, somehow I lost the ability to install/update any drivers unless I'm in safe mode. After trying many things, I decided to reset the PC.
So I followed the recovery steps to reset and chose the option to "Keep my personal files" and "Remove all apps and programs that didn't come with this PC".
For anyone doing this, your c:\users\your name\appdata is wiped out. So if any of your programs saves data there (like some email programs), make sure you back up those.
The recovery worked fine and all Asus programs and drivers were reinstalled. The windows version remained at 1079 which is newer than the version that came with the the laptop.
My question is, out of curiosity, where are these Asus programs and drivers installed come from? It can't be stored as a full factory windows image since windows kept the new version, then the asus programs were installed.
I saw a recovery partition in MiniTool Partition Wizard but it contains the new windows image since it's dated just a few days ago. No traces of any asus stuff.
Using the same tool, I'm able to look into c:\recovery folder, where I see some OEM/Asus stuff, but can't open them or read them.
Sorry for the long story, but my question is, does anyone know how this recovery works. How does the windows new version remain, but all asus stuff is reinstalled. I want to know this so in the future, I don't erase or corrupt any folders by mistake.
Thanks.
