I hate windows 8! How do I re-install 7 and keep programs, files etc?

Huludrock · 07 Feb 2013

I bought Windows 8 pro, installed it over Windows 7 pro, and I hate it! How do I downgrade without losing functionality of programs etc.? The upgrade was easy, but I doubt the downgrade will be. Help!!

theog · 07 Feb 2013

Upgrade to Windows 8 with only a product key - Microsoft Windows

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.

Restore the the backup image, you made before upgrading to Windows 8.

Huludrock · 07 Feb 2013

Didn't. Any other ideas?

theog · 07 Feb 2013

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?

Huludrock · 07 Feb 2013

The computer I installed it on was upgraded from Vista with a fresh install of 7. I have any version of Windows I want but I need to keep the programs the same etc.

Huludrock · 07 Feb 2013

It isn't possible is it?

pseudoware · 07 Feb 2013

My wife didn't like Win8 when I upgraded her OS. I installed a 3rd party start button and set it to boot directly to desktop mode, and it's all good.

Just a suggestion. Easier than going back, at least for me. Good luck.

gregrocker · 07 Feb 2013

You can try the replica Windows 7 Start Menu for Windows 8

Even install replica 8GadgetPack - Gadgets for Windows 8

This makes 8 pretty close to the Win7 desktop experience, although you may have to reset your Control Panel>Default Programs since they first default to the 8 Apps.

If you want to go back to Win7 I'd follow these same steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which you are way overdue for if you have the original Vista underlying preinstall. You likely have mounds of corruption carried over from all 3 OS' settings.

Now's the time to get a perfect install with our help which you can backup as an image after setup to use in place of reinstall in the future.

Huludrock · 07 Feb 2013

Well looks like the third party apps are my answer. I was mislead by all the "downgrade from 8 pro to 7 pro is possible with those versions" threads that i saw before I did this. Apparently it only applies if you have no personal info on the pc.

gregrocker · 07 Feb 2013

You should always keep your data and the latest System image backed up externally in case of HD failure or what you have experienced.