Windows 10 to 7 image restore question

Your Interpretation is accurate :)

Except ...
Step 4 would normally be achieved by use of a bootable DVD or USB stick to perform the restore operation on a totally clean drive. ( ideally you would create this at stage 1) although there are downloads available if you forget )

Microsoft's OS upgrade systems have always been a weak point, so I tend to avoid upgrade where possible, although the Windows Ten one is about the best they've done

BTW I'm also an EaseUS user myself, (and make weekly images), so that is also an option if you are more comfortable with that way

Yep,
Personally I just clean installed the qualifying 7 os on another ssd and upgraded through the GWX icon
Being a clean install of win-7 there were no conflicts and it still shows restore back to win-7
If I wanted to go back I'd use it and just put the other original ssd back in and be done with it.

Almost a clone but not quite
More like a clean clone :)

Yes well I am still going to do what I do for the sake of a new drive to test 10, and the clone drive could be just a cheap spinner - if you like 10 then just clean the original drive (with all your programs on it) and clone the 10 back to the SSD.

I know trying 10 on a spinner might be slow but at least you will get some idea of what you are dealing with. If it is anything like my experience of upgrading to 10 then trying to get the wretched thing back to 7 in a normal state of operation using the restore methods I eventually gave up and I had to clean all and reinstall onto the original drive.

Personally I think 10 for what it is worth is not worth the hassle that so many are having problems with. As you all may have guessed by now I am a simple minded person and like to keep everything simple as I do dislike the rigmarole of inserting this and adding that - far too convoluted for me.

Anyway good luck seltzer:)

ThrashZone said:

Yea I believe system images take a lot less space than a clone would.

I recommend making two full images, just in case.

Yes well seltzer I think that is a plan and I do agree with making images to an external or something - it is simply that I think my method is just that - simple.

Edit I meant to say though that the drives have to be the same size ie 500GB to 500GB or 500GB to 750GB it is nigh impossible unless I am terribly mistaken to clone from large to smaller drive ie 750GB to 500GB though I have done that in the past with a little fiddling around .

seltzermx said:

Any downsides to this plan? Any issues with potentially swapping drives like this, especially if I'd be switching back and forth between SSD and HDD?

Don't expect to dual boot them
If you don't like win-10 roll back then use the other drive.
You'll most likely create issues with the upgraded key if you attempt to dual boot the install you upgraded = big mess :)

There is nothing to roll back too if you clean install win-10
The key is absorbed as digital entitlement :)

There is no "either or" there is only win-10 if upgraded using the 7 key.
You'd most likely have to call Microsoft to straighten out the validity of the win-7 key.

As far as I know you do have to use the restore back to win-7
At least that way you're informing M$ no thanks and you can add feedback as to why.
After that is done you have gone the normal way to roll back.
Even if the restore fails and most the time they will in some way
You can connect the other ssd and everything "should" be fine.

M$ is getting pretty good at keeping track of installs
Every time you connect to the internet the key is verified.