Restore Windows 7 from Windows 8

[relientk9999]

Hi, I am wanting to upgrade to Windows 8, but before I do, I need to make sure I can go back to Windows 7 and all of my files and everything before I upgrade. I use this laptop for school and I cannot afford for anything to go wrong. I need to do this right.

What exactly do I need to do to prepare for the even that I end up having to go back to Windows 7? I used the Backup and Restore feature to back up all of my files and data, which also created a system image. Then I created a System Repair Disk using a Sony 4.7 GB DVD+R disk.

Is there anything else I need to do to make sure I am ready? And once I am ready, what are the steps I need to follow in order to restore my old Windows 7, if that needs to happen.

Thanks!
Jordan

 

[rgd1101]

question is why do you need to upgrade to windows 8?

 

[relientk9999]

Thanks for the reply. After thinking about it, I really don't need to. I've been following the Windows 8 process for so long now that I guess I just assumed I would upgrade when it came out. Windows 7 works perfect for me right now so there really is not a need for me to upgrade. Thank you rgd1101.

 

[majestic1805]

Um, in terms of a direct "backport" you can't. However, you can make a disc image and apply it prior to installing Windows 8 taking care to move new files off so they're not gone after the imaging.

 

[RetiredChief]

Unless you see a benifit for going win8 - Don't Remember it's is best to wait at least 6 months after Release, let others find bugs, and give MS time to resolve issues THEN decide on going forward. Windows 7 Upgrade - No dought, I was going win 7 - win 8, I'm taking a wait and see.

I installed the beta win 8 and when ever I chose to Boot win 8, it would write to My Win 7 SSD and create a Minor Problem re booting to Win 7 - Torally unacceptable, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN - should require MY permission to mess with a 2nd HDD!!!!, do not know if they fixed in final version

Down side is that price may be up, so buying early and just wating may be a good route.

If You have created a system image of your Boot drive and backed up all your data from say Drive "D" ect. and THIS is saved to a HDD that you are NOT putting Win 8 on You should be fine. Personnally while I initially put the "C" drive image on a 2nd Internal Disk drive, i also BACK UP to an external HDD.

 

[relientk9999]

Right. I backed up everything and created a system image and everything in an external hard drive. I have a CD for restoring Windows 7 if necessary.

I did end up upgrading and so far I love it. There are a couple issues where I had to tweak some settings (mainly dealing with proxy and ssl) and it's a little slow due to the add-ons that come standard, but I've removed some of those and it's fine now. There are also a couple other bugs with things like the start interface disappearing, but a simple click of the windows button on my keyboard fixes that.

Overall I love Windows 8 so far. We'll see if any other bugs come up in time, but it's great so far. I love the interface, although it is understandably a completely new way to work the computer.

Thanks guys.