How to revert back to Windows 7

flroots

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I am considering the purchase of the Windows 8 Pro upgrade for $39.99. I would install it on my Dell laptop running Windows 7. If after using Windows 8 for awhile, I may decide I like Windows 7 better. How is it possible to revert back? I read that once you do an upgrade the license of the older OS is lost according to this reference:
which is quoted here:
"If I use a Windows 8 Upgrade disc/download to upgrade my Windows 7 computer to Windows 8, can I then use my old Windows 7 disc and product key to install Windows 7 on another computer?"

No. The Windows 8 Upgrade license replaces the previous Windows 7 (or Windows Vista or Windows XP) license.
To be clear: your old version of Windows that you upgraded from can no longer be used on your current, or any other, computer.

Is this really true? If so, it sure doesn't seem to be widely publicized.
Pete
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15R 5520
    Memory
    8 GB
actually I have the same question.. hw to revert back to previous win7???.. i installed win8pro in my dads laptop and decided to make a dual-boot win7/win8 in my pc, but unluckily it upgraded the win7 to win8. I was waiting for the part where I have an option to install it in a different Partition but I never saw it. it rebooted and just started to install byitself, I just left it to do its stuff coz it might corrupt my files. anybody has an answer to this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500 @3.3GHz
    Memory
    8gb RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT-530 2gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dual monitor 23-inch acer
    Case
    acer predator
I am considering the purchase of the Windows 8 Pro upgrade for $39.99. I would install it on my Dell laptop running Windows 7. If after using Windows 8 for awhile, I may decide I like Windows 7 better. How is it possible to revert back? I read that once you do an upgrade the license of the older OS is lost according to this reference:
which is quoted here:
"If I use a Windows 8 Upgrade disc/download to upgrade my Windows 7 computer to Windows 8, can I then use my old Windows 7 disc and product key to install Windows 7 on another computer?"

No. The Windows 8 Upgrade license replaces the previous Windows 7 (or Windows Vista or Windows XP) license.
To be clear: your old version of Windows that you upgraded from can no longer be used on your current, or any other, computer.

Is this really true? If so, it sure doesn't seem to be widely publicized.
Pete


Legally YES.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
is it okay to put a link here?,. its an article on how to recover your previous win7 after upgrading from win8.. im planning to use this method to try recover my win7 system and reinstall win8 in the partition i made.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500 @3.3GHz
    Memory
    8gb RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT-530 2gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dual monitor 23-inch acer
    Case
    acer predator
actually I have the same question.. hw to revert back to previous win7???.. i installed win8pro in my dads laptop and decided to make a dual-boot win7/win8 in my pc, but unluckily it upgraded the win7 to win8. I was waiting for the part where I have an option to install it in a different Partition but I never saw it. it rebooted and just started to install byitself, I just left it to do its stuff coz it might corrupt my files. anybody has an answer to this?

Hi apar008

Here are three ways.

1) Recover from the backup you made before upgrading.
Microsoft said:
Make sure you’re on the PC you want to upgrade. This must be a PC that is currently running Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3), Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows 8 Consumer Preview, or Windows Developer Preview. (Windows 8 Setup checks that your PC meets all system requirements before it installs Windows 8.)

Have your product key handy. You can find it in your online order information, in the confirmation email for your purchase, or on the packaging. The product key will look something like this:
XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX

Make a backup of everything you want to keep. Save it somewhere you can get to it later, like an external drive or a DVD.




2) Recover from the Acer Recovery disk you made.


information   Information
We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create



Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

Acer001-11.PNG

3)You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:

https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
What I did was to make a complete system image backup of my Win7 installation before running the upgrade.

Then ... upgrade and use Win8 for a month.

Finally, back up my changed content (Documents, Pictures) and restore the image back to 7. Copy the changed content back to the system and all is set. No product key requirements or lengthy re-install. Restoring from the system image took an hour while I went away to do something else.

-Max
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17R / Dell XPS 8300
    CPU
    Intel i5 (17R) / Intel i7 (XPS)
    Memory
    8GB / 8GB
is it ok to put a link here? so everybody could look at.. recovery of win7 after installing win8..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500 @3.3GHz
    Memory
    8gb RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT-530 2gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dual monitor 23-inch acer
    Case
    acer predator
actually I didn't, no backups, no recovery disks .. when i tried installing win8 for my separate partition I was confident that everything will be fine,. until it started installing.. but i still have the windows.old folder.. i have read that you can use a win7 boot media to repair win7 and revert will all files and softwares intact..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500 @3.3GHz
    Memory
    8gb RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT-530 2gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dual monitor 23-inch acer
    Case
    acer predator
yeah, i think most of the programs installed in win7 is working in win8.. so what will this eRecovery do coz i have no backups? i dont want to install all my programs again..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500 @3.3GHz
    Memory
    8gb RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT-530 2gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dual monitor 23-inch acer
    Case
    acer predator
Will make the Acer Recovery DVD's, screenshot in post 5.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Please forgive me if I missed something, but I haven't seen anyone address the original question. The question is whether or not you lose your Windows 7 license once you use the Windows 8 upgrade.
Pete
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15R 5520
    Memory
    8 GB
Please forgive me if I missed something, but I haven't seen anyone address the original question. The question is whether or not you lose your Windows 7 license once you use the Windows 8 upgrade.
Pete

Post 2.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Please forgive me if I missed something, but I haven't seen anyone address the original question. The question is whether or not you lose your Windows 7 license once you use the Windows 8 upgrade.
Pete
I also did the Windows7 image recover procedure and all is working fine. The Windows 7 key belongs to you forever and you never
loose it. If you need to install Windows 7 from scratch you will need to use it again to activate Windows 7. IF you bought a WIndows 8 upgrade you will always have to install a valid activated Windows 7 first. If you try, as I did to activate Windows 8 without Windows 7 you need a Full Licence Key...so I had to reinstall Windows 7 again, then WIndows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fruit Salad
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Dual core E5700 @ 3GHz
    Motherboard
    Biostar G413DB
    Memory
    4G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 610
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster LED S23B370
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
anyway ill try to work something out.. it seems like MS is trying to force win8,. poor newbie like me who has lesser knowledge on OS installation
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500 @3.3GHz
    Memory
    8gb RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT-530 2gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dual monitor 23-inch acer
    Case
    acer predator
Please forgive me if I missed something, but I haven't seen anyone address the original question. The question is whether or not you lose your Windows 7 license once you use the Windows 8 upgrade.
Pete
I also did the Windows7 image recover procedure and all is working fine. The Windows 7 key belongs to you forever and you never
loose it. If you need to install Windows 7 from scratch you will need to use it again to activate Windows 7. IF you bought a WIndows 8 upgrade you will always have to install a valid activated Windows 7 first. If you try, as I did to activate Windows 8 without Windows 7 you need a Full Licence Key...so I had to reinstall Windows 7 again, then WIndows 8.
Thanks. If you believe Microsoft, you lose the Windows 7 license once you use it to upgrade to Windows 8. Of course, if you revert back to Windows 7 and don't use Windows 8 then legally I would think you're OK. I see no evidence that Microsoft physically invalidates the license since people seem to be able to revert back without problems. Also, IMHO using a prior Windows 7 image to restore from doesn't change the issue, since it's my understanding that Microsoft checks the validity of your license on the occasion of a Windows update.

In summary, I'm satisfied that I can successfully revert back to Windows 7 if the need arises. Thanks for all the feedback.
Pete
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15R 5520
    Memory
    8 GB
1) Microsoft isn't trying to "force" anyone already using Win7 onto Win8. It's just the latest version of the O/S and is being provided by default on equipment just like every other version. That's not "force", it's just the latest version. Of course​ they're going to try to sell it to you. You're not tied to a tree, you don't *have* to update any more than you have to buy the latest model of a BMW or Ford. The showroom sells the latest version of the product, that's all.
2) Microsoft doesn't even insinuate that your license to a previous version of the O/S is "invalidated" or "cancelled" in any way at all when you upgrade to a new version. They even go out of their way to provide "downgrade" rights when you buy an O/S if you prefer.

Let's quit this "evil" Microsoft stuff, OK?

-Max
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17R / Dell XPS 8300
    CPU
    Intel i5 (17R) / Intel i7 (XPS)
    Memory
    8GB / 8GB
1) Microsoft isn't trying to "force" anyone already using Win7 onto Win8. It's just the latest version of the O/S and is being provided by default on equipment just like every other version. That's not "force", it's just the latest version. You're not tied to a tree, you don't *have* to update any more than you have to buy the latest model of a BMW or Ford. The showroom sells the latest version of the product, that's all.
2) Microsoft doesn't even insinuate that your license to a previous version of the O/S is "invalidated" or "cancelled" in any way at all when you upgrade to a new version. They even go out of their way to provide "downgrade" rights when you buy an O/S if you prefer.

Let's quit this "evil" Microsoft stuff, OK?

-Max
Thanks. I agree with your first point, but not your second point; I have read from several sources (see below) that your Windows 7 license becomes invalid once you use it to upgrade to Windows 8, however, I'm not suggesting that this is enforced in any way. Also, it would seem logical that if you revert back to Windows 7 and don't use your Windows 8 upgrade, you should be OK. Here is one of the items I've read which seems pretty legitimate. I've also seen an excerpt from the T&C, but haven't found it.


which is quoted here:
"If I use a Windows 8 Upgrade disc/download to upgrade my Windows 7 computer to Windows 8, can I then use my old Windows 7 disc and product key to install Windows 7 on another computer?"

No. The Windows 8 Upgrade license replaces the previous Windows 7 (or Windows Vista or Windows XP) license.
To be clear: your old version of Windows that you upgraded from can no longer be used on your current, or any other, computer.
Pete
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15R 5520
    Memory
    8 GB
1) Microsoft isn't trying to "force" anyone already using Win7 onto Win8. It's just the latest version of the O/S and is being provided by default on equipment just like every other version. That's not "force", it's just the latest version. You're not tied to a tree, you don't *have* to update any more than you have to buy the latest model of a BMW or Ford. The showroom sells the latest version of the product, that's all.
2) Microsoft doesn't even insinuate that your license to a previous version of the O/S is "invalidated" or "cancelled" in any way at all when you upgrade to a new version. They even go out of their way to provide "downgrade" rights when you buy an O/S if you prefer.

Let's quit this "evil" Microsoft stuff, OK?

-Max
Thanks. I agree with your first point, but not your second point; I have read from several sources (see below) that your Windows 7 license becomes invalid once you use it to upgrade to Windows 8, however, I'm not suggesting that this is enforced in any way. Also, it would seem logical that if you revert back to Windows 7 and don't use your Windows 8 upgrade, you should be OK. Here is one of the items I've read which seems pretty legitimate. I've also seen an excerpt from the T&C, but haven't found it.
which is quoted here:
"If I use a Windows 8 Upgrade disc/download to upgrade my Windows 7 computer to Windows 8, can I then use my old Windows 7 disc and product key to install Windows 7 on another computer?"

No. The Windows 8 Upgrade license replaces the previous Windows 7 (or Windows Vista or Windows XP) license.
To be clear: your old version of Windows that you upgraded from can no longer be used on your current, or any other, computer.
Pete

Hi Pete,

Well ... yeah, you can't use the Win7 license on another computer, of course since Win8 is offered as an upgrade and is technically an extension of that existing license. However I was trying to point out that you have the right to downgrade back to that earlier license without penalty.

My main point was to address the idea that the big, bad evil Microsoft isn't trying to force you to do anything you don't want to do. Want to keep running XP? Fine. Keep running it. Want to drive a 1968 Ford Mustang? Fine, drive it. Just don't expect that evil manufacturer to continue supporting it ad-infinitum. You may just have to go to a third party for pieces & parts, that's all.

-Max
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17R / Dell XPS 8300
    CPU
    Intel i5 (17R) / Intel i7 (XPS)
    Memory
    8GB / 8GB
1) Microsoft isn't trying to "force" anyone already using Win7 onto Win8. It's just the latest version of the O/S and is being provided by default on equipment just like every other version. That's not "force", it's just the latest version. You're not tied to a tree, you don't *have* to update any more than you have to buy the latest model of a BMW or Ford. The showroom sells the latest version of the product, that's all.
2) Microsoft doesn't even insinuate that your license to a previous version of the O/S is "invalidated" or "cancelled" in any way at all when you upgrade to a new version. They even go out of their way to provide "downgrade" rights when you buy an O/S if you prefer.

Let's quit this "evil" Microsoft stuff, OK?

-Max
Thanks. I agree with your first point, but not your second point; I have read from several sources (see below) that your Windows 7 license becomes invalid once you use it to upgrade to Windows 8, however, I'm not suggesting that this is enforced in any way. Also, it would seem logical that if you revert back to Windows 7 and don't use your Windows 8 upgrade, you should be OK. Here is one of the items I've read which seems pretty legitimate. I've also seen an excerpt from the T&C, but haven't found it.
which is quoted here:
"If I use a Windows 8 Upgrade disc/download to upgrade my Windows 7 computer to Windows 8, can I then use my old Windows 7 disc and product key to install Windows 7 on another computer?"

No. The Windows 8 Upgrade license replaces the previous Windows 7 (or Windows Vista or Windows XP) license.
To be clear: your old version of Windows that you upgraded from can no longer be used on your current, or any other, computer.
Pete

Hi Pete,

Well ... yeah, you can't use the Win7 license on another computer, of course since Win8 is offered as an upgrade and is technically an extension of that existing license. However I was trying to point out that you have the right to downgrade back to that earlier license without penalty.

My main point was to address the idea that the big, bad evil Microsoft isn't trying to force you to do anything you don't want to do. Want to keep running XP? Fine. Keep running it. Want to drive a 1968 Ford Mustang? Fine, drive it. Just don't expect that evil manufacturer to continue supporting it ad-infinitum. You may just have to go to a third party for pieces & parts, that's all.

-Max
Sounds good to me. I'm just happy that we can revert back without problems. As long as you continue using Windows 8 apparently you're not supposed to use the Windows 7 license eg, on another computer.
Pete
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15R 5520
    Memory
    8 GB
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