Summary
Re-installing Windows on a system that runs Vound software can affect the application installation, licensing, and access to existing cases or configuration data. Before proceeding, users should plan for backups, understand how their license is stored, and expect to reinstall the Vound application after Windows has been reinstalled.
This article applies to all Vound products (Intella 10, Pro, Investigator, etc.)
Overview
A Windows re-installation can remove or reset operating system components that Vound products depend on. Even if the application files remain on a separate drive, the Windows reinstall may impact:
- Program registration with the operating system
- Installed services
- Application dependencies
- Access to licensing components
- Configurations and settings used by the software
Because of this, a working application installation should not be assumed to remain functional after Windows has been reinstalled.
What to expect after reinstalling Windows
Application installation
If Windows is reinstalled, the Vound software should be reinstalled afterward. This is recommended even when:
- The case data is stored on another drive
- The evidence is stored separately
- The application folder still exists on disk
This is because the original installation may have created OS-level registrations or services that are no longer present after the Windows reinstall.
Licensing
The effect on licensing depends on the license type and where that license is hosted.
Dongle-based licenses If your license is stored on a dongle, the license remains with the dongle rather than the Windows installation. In that situation, reconnecting the dongle on a machine with the software installed is generally sufficient.
Software licenses If your environment uses a software license, extra care is required. A Windows reinstall on a machine that also hosts the software license may interrupt access to that license. This is especially important in environments where Connect, Investigator, or related components depend on that same system for licensing.
Best practice:
- Identify where the software license is installed before reinstalling Windows
- Avoid reinstalling or rebuilding a license-hosting system without confirming the impact on licensing
- If possible, use a dedicated licensing system to reduce risk
Cases and data
Case files, evidence files, and optimization data may remain intact if stored on drives not affected by the OS reinstall. However, they should always be backed up first. A Windows reinstall introduces risk, including:
- Drive selection mistakes during OS setup
- Permission changes
- Lost paths or mappings
- Missing services needed to access the data correctly
Important: existing case data should not be considered protected unless verified backups exist.
Risks to consider Before reinstalling Windows, be aware of these potential issues:
- Application no longer starts after OS reinstall
- Windows services used by the product are missing
- License is unavailable after reinstall
- Saved paths or system configuration need to be recreated
- Access to cases or shared storage may need to be reconfigured
Recommended preparation steps
Before reinstalling Windows on a system running Vound software:
1. Back up all cases. Create verified backups of all active and archived cases.
2. Back up evidence and related data. Ensure all evidence locations, exports, and optimization data are preserved as needed.
3. Record system configuration. Document:
- Install locations
- Case locations
- Evidence paths
- Service account details
- Network shares and permissions
- License type and host location
- A dongle license
- A software license
If the system uses a software license, confirm whether that machine is hosting the license.
5. Plan for software re-installation. After Windows is reinstalled, reinstall your Vound product rather than relying on the old application files.
6. Validate access after recovery. After reinstalling:- Confirm the software opens correctly
- Confirm the license is available
- Confirm cases can be opened
- Confirm evidence paths resolve properly
- Confirm services run as expected
Best practice recommendation
If a system hosts important shared services such as licensing or case access components, avoid unnecessary OS reinstalls until a recovery plan is documented and backups are verified. Where possible, separate critical roles so that reinstalling one machine does not affect the wider environment.
Troubleshooting after reinstall If the software does not work correctly after Windows has been reinstalled:
- Reinstall the Vound application
- Check whether required services were recreated
- Confirm the license source is reachable
- Verify permissions to case and evidence locations
- Review application and system logs for service or access errors