Solved Downgrade from backup?

acer3

New Member
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Can I use the system backup I created in win7 to downgrade from win8? I clean installed win 8 on my other laptop I didn't get the chance to get the win7 key because it came preinstalled. Or, is there any other way to get back to win7 without having to buy it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony VAIO
Hi there
If it's a legit W7 backup just restore it again. I'm sure when you got the system one of the first tasks was to make a Recovery Disk.
If you didn't do this you'll need to get the recovery program from the Manufacturers site.

If you backed it up with one of those imaging programs -- such as Macrium / Acronis etc etc. you should be able to restore from a bootable media -- just boot the restore program and restore.

Can you be a bit more specific in how you created the W7 image though.

BTW backup anything from the W8 system you need (user data / emails etc) before getting rid of it. I'd still also make a stand alone image backup of the W8 system in case the W7 restore gets hosed up or you want to have another go with windows 8. At lest whatever happens you'll have a working computer.

Free Macrium is a good free imaging program for taking and restoring the OS. Don't forget when backing up / restoring you need the small system BOOT partition too -- and that's the one that should be ACTIVE.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Technically, you can, but you may run into driver issues, because I gather your laptop came preinstalled with Windows 8, hence it wasn't meant for Windows 7.

At any rate, make sure to keep the recovery partitions intact, so you can restore your laptop to factory conditions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
Thanks, I created the backup using the utility that came with Vaio. I guess tha'll work. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony VAIO
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