Solved Install Windows 8 as main OS - File backup

Hi,

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 right now and I want to switch to Windows 8 Release Preview and Later when it comes out to Windows 8. Now, I have quite some data that I cannot risk to lose. I know that there is the option when on Windows 7 to upgrade to Windows 8 keeping all the settings and files, at least that's what Microsoft says on their site.

I just wanted to know if it is SAFE to do so, because, as I said earlier, I cannot RISK LOSING that data no matter what.

So please tell me if it is Perfectly SAFE for that data to Upgrade to Windows 8 or do I have to Back it up somehow...

I would simply burn it to a DVD or set it on a external hard drive (if i had one :/... I have only USB sticks that are not larger than 8GB) but what we are talking about is about 150 GB large...

If you want to be safe, then buy a new HD. Unplug your Win7 HD. Install 8 on the new hard drive with the old one UNPLUGGED. Then attach your old HD as a secondary drive and copy the data off.

That way nothing can go wrong and leave you with a dead system or an accidentally formatted windows 7 partition!

If the Win8 install goes completely fubar on you, simply plug the windows 7 drive back into the primary sata slot and your back to normal as if nothing happened.

If your win 7 drive is an expensive SSD then at least be sure to do a complete image backup of the drive onto another drive or network machine before doing anything.

Although you can upgrade from Win 7 to Win 8 RP and it will keep everything (if nothing goes wrong). However, when you try to upgrade from Win 8 RP to Win 8 RTM it will not work the same way. It will let you backup your files (if nothing goes wrong) but will do a clean install and all your programs and settings will have to be reinstalled.

Jim

Ok... I really don't wanna buy a new HDD but is it safe if all my files are on a separate partition ? I have a C partition with only windows 7 on it (50GB large) and a D partition (250GB large) with all my files... I have done this several times in the future (installing a new OS and keeping all the files on a separate partition and everything worked well but this time I am more careful because this data I have now is priceless

Hi there
Whatever system you use ALWAY ALWAYS back up important data -- and have more than one copy.

Unpredictable things always happen -- the dog arrives barking and you spill hot coffee. over the machine ruining say the HDD. Or you forgot to close the door of the Washing machine - and all the hot soapy water full of detergent ruins your machine because you had it on the floor -- or even you get burgled and your computer is taken.

The safest system is to have an OS separate partition --that way you can recover / change the OS without losing data. For your Data have a proper backup strategy. - You only need an initial copy of the entire data --then take "incremental backups" -- that is data of files that have changed.

By the way Windows 8 has this facility built in --called "File History" but LEARN how it works because it only deals with "Libraries" rather than individual folders.


Always though have as I said before MORE than 1 copy of important data.

Cheers
jimbo

Thank you for that... But I know that... I can't burn 150GBs to DVD... I have nowhere to back it up but on a separate partition

No it is not Perfectly Safe. If your files are that important you should have an external backup. Invest in an external hard drive and then use that as a backup. Use Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download which is a very good FREE image utility to backup all your data. You can also make an image of your OS partition so you can use it to restore your system without reinstalling all your programs. Then you can upgrade to Windows 8 RP and return to Windows 7 if needed.

Tutorial here:

Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Forums

Once you have your backup read these Tutorials:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2344-dual-boot-installation-windows-8-windows-7-vista.html?ltr=D

Read Warning at Step 6 D.

Using this you can make another partition of 50GB (if you have enough free space) and install Win 8 on it. Then if you like it when Windows 8 RTM is released on Oct 26, you can delete it and then upgrade Windows 7. Let us know what you decide and we will be here to help.

Jim

Thank you very muck for that info... I will probably borrow a external HDD from a friend because they are far to expensive at the moment... a 500GB external HDD costs like $200~250... And I will just copy all the files that I need on it, then install Windows 8 RP and copy the files back, and when Windows 8 RTM comes out do the same thing again but probably formatting my whole HDD because I had quite some trash on it to make sure it is completely gone

P.S. I don't care if I have to re-install all programs... I have them all on their DVD-s it0s just my files

You can get a 500GB External for around $80 at Newegg or Amazon. But that is up to you. I would still use the Macrium software to make an image of you OS to have a quick way to restore you system. It compresses the image and only backs up the actual files. Good luck.

Jim

I have bought a external HDD of 500GB copied all my data and did a clean install of Windows 8 RP, just to let you know... Thy to everyone who tried to help