Windows 7: dual boot

Whatever you decide keep a current image of Windows 7 so you have a path back. You can always move your Win8 Upgrade to another PC to restore Windows 7.



You can also run an in-place Upgrade of Windows 7 keeping all files and programs in place while changing out the OS.

But even in a Clean Install you can always reinstall your paid software using the Product Key and installer. If you've lost these you can audit all of the installed software and hardware including Keys using Belarc Advisor.

If you are working with a one drive only system or have a second drive designated for storage and backup purposes the best move would be maintaining a full system image backup either with the built in option found in the CP>Backup & Restore section or using a 3rd party program like the free version of Acronis Disk Director suit Western Digital provides. Seagate's Disk Wizard is the same but rebranded.

With the present build here I planned it to have two not just one OS drive with the second mainly for testing and trying out other OSs as well as what comes next in the Windows world! Two other drives plus one in an external enclosure serve as storage drives. The second OS drive is presently split up for OS and the remainder for system images.

Here 7 is actually doing more here then could be done with the retail 8. I still have to decide on whether or not 8 or the next to come will have a place on the second OS drive however while 8 was a disappointment after going with 7!

At the same time some others seem to like 8 over 7 while some prefer Vista over 7 as is usually the case. I just heard from someone who was seeing shutdown problems where the power button had to be used after just buying the retail 8 Pro. To me the new version still sounds a bit buggy for the time being.

>>Can I use the Acronis rescue disc to get back to Win 7 if I don't want 8 or if I have trouble?
Regarding Belarc, are you saying it is proof to MS that I paid for Win 8 and used the installer? Should I "take a picture" with it at some point?
It seems as tthough I can recover 7 or 8 depending on the one I like -yes?
This is sticky stuff for an average user?
Thank you

Yes, you'd boot the Acronis disk to reimage Windows 7 to the HD if you decide you don't want to keep WIn8 upgrade. THis should free up Win8 Upgrade to be used elsewhere.

You'd run Belarc so you have on hand any Product Keys which are missing if you need to do a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which steps are same for retail.

MS wouldn't be interested in any of that, only that you have an activated Windows 7 being upgraded with a legit Win8 Product Key.

You own a license for Windows 7 to use for the life of the OS (or the life of the machine if it came preinstalled) or until it is used to Upgrade to WIn8. After that you've lost the right to use the Windows 7 key unless you decide you want to use the Win8 upgrade elsewhere in which case you can reimage or reinstall Windows 7 with its Product Key.

I'm sorry, if I try to upgrade to Win 8 and it is not good, use the Acronis rescue disc to regain Win 7 system as it is now, is there an issue I am not grasping.
I ask because you mentioned losing my 7 license.
It came preinstalled in my pc but I don't know the license number.

Peter,

Your product key number should be on the COA sticker like bellow on your PC.

You don't lose your Windows 7 license (product key). Instead you are just not allowed by the EULA to use it when you have the Windows 8 upgrade installed. If you uninstall Windows 8, then you can reinstall your Windows 7 if you like.

Your Acronis image backup would work to restore Windows 7, but if you haven't already, then you should create a set of factory recovery discs from your Windows 7 first to also be able to restore Windows 7 back to factory conditions. If this is a Dell, then the link below can help show you how to.

Creating Your System Recovery Discs with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 | Dell

and

Windows 7 PC Restore | Dell

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Seven2, what do you mean by " Not Good " ?

Have you used or seen W8 yet ? A lot of people do not like it.

Great news and thank you. I understand about the use of one os at a time. My Acroonis has been a life saver and is up to date. I did make the dvds when I received the Dell 2 years ago.
Thak you again for the support.
May I ask, for those who obtain Win 8, do they also make dvds like Win 7?
I know you already have an os disc if you download the iso but I meant otherwise as in retail.
Peter

With Windows 8 you now only see the upgrade media or OEM for System Builders disk. MS isn't seeing any full version two dvd sets sold out in retail stores. So far there have been only two versions found as well as being the Home or whatever unnamed 8 and Pro no Pro PLUS! deals found anywhere except for online sources.

One blog from April sums up how MS decided to limit the number of editions 8 would be seeing. Microsoft outs Windows 8 editions; Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro, plus Windows RT for ARM - Connected Digital World

Glad we could help Peter.

I usually keep it as an ISO file, then create a bootable USB flash drive as needed to do a clean install with. I do this because I also use the ISO file to install on virtual machines.