Computer prepped for Windows 10 but I want to retain Windows 7


  1. Reggie49
    Posts : 34
    Win7 64 bit Home Premium
       New #1

    Computer prepped for Windows 10 but I want to retain Windows 7


    Hi everyone, have an interesting problem.

    My daughter brought her computer to me, due to a massive virus and malware issue. After about 6 hours and many scans, that issue is fixed. However, there are a couple of other unresolved issues.

    I noticed she has near no HDD space left and on investigation, somehow Windows 10 has prepared itself for installation, (yet Windows 7 is still the OS active), and created a Windows.old folder (96Gb).

    I've also found that Windows updates have been disabled and can't be restored, I get the message that "the Administrator has disabled these settings" and the enable disable buttons are greyed out. After some surfing, I've found that this change maybe be as a result of the viruses or Malware. I think I have a work around for that, by changing Updates using gpedit.msc

    So my questions are:

    1. If I'm able to reinstate Windows updates, I'm certain the Windows 10 upgrade will commence, which is what I don't want. We want to retain Windows 7, but be able to install any in future updates for Windows 7. So is there any way to prevent this and retain windows 7?

    2. If I use Disk Cleanup in Windows 7, to remove the Windows.old Folder, will this leave me in limbo between Windows 10 and prevent me returning to Windows 7?

    3. Is my only option to complete the Windows 10 installation, then go through the process of winding back to Windows 7?

    A messy situation I know, but I'm hoping you'll be able to help out on this one.

    Cheers Ron
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  3. ignatzatsonic
    Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       New #2

    I've never heard of a situation in which Win 10 was installed without specific instructions from the user. I'd assume you just have a "reservation" that can be ignored.

    I assume you are positive Win 10 has NOT been installed.

    I can't think of why you'd have a Windows.old folder unless it is a holdover from a prior upgrade install of Win 7 or unless you have in fact installed Win 10. I don't know for a fact, but my guess is that a Win 10 upgrade would create such a folder.

    As you've explained it, I don't think you are in limbo. Again, I'm assuming Win 10 has only been reserved, not installed.

    I've never had a Windows.old folder, but my understanding is that it can simply be deleted if it's not needed--you don't have to do a disk cleanup.

    I'm not sure why you think the following statement is true:

    "If I'm able to reinstate Windows updates, I'm certain the Windows 10 upgrade will commence".

    Do you have any System Restore points available?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. Reggie49
    Posts : 34
    Win7 64 bit Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    As I said, the computer is my daughter's, so I have no idea what they've done re Windows 10. If she had auto updates set, maybe Windows set things in place to do the upgrade and with the virus attack and updates disabled it couldn't complete it.

    I'm no expert but I know that windows 7 is still running currently the OS, so I don't know what to expect if I'm able to reinstate updates. Which is why I'm here for advice.

    I've read that if you delete the Windows.old folder to recover space, there's no going back to Windows 7, if Windows 10 is installed.

    Any other ideas?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. ignatzatsonic
    Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       New #4

    Do you have any System Restore points available?

    Does your daughter admit to trying to actually install Windows 10?

    I've never heard of a situation in which Windows Update will automatically install Windows 10. That takes willful and deliberate action by the user. It doesn't happen against the user's will. If they blindly say yes to each and every Windows Update notification, then they will of course get Windows 10, if they made a so-called reservation.

    What's the best evidence that Windows 10 is installed?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  7. AddRAM
    Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       New #5

    Windows 10 DOES NOT install it itself, you have to do it.

    You would surely know if 10 is installed, it`s totally different looking then 7. (just check system properties)

    Yes you will get a windows.old folder when you upgrade to 10, I did when I upgraded from 8.1, I just deleted it.(brand new install, no data, no programs)

    I would just backup my data and reinstall 7. Or use the Recovery partition if you have one.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 

  Related Discussions
Hi, I have searched this forum & can only find posts from several years ago about my query, so I'm hoping there is now a solution. I have noticed there is a second taskbar that appears when I have more folders open than can be contained on the main taskbar. When this is the case a button appears...
I have an email account that has been deleted at the server. I want to keep all the emails both in and out that have accumulated over the past year or so preferably where they are now without exporting elsewhere. At the moment everytime I open Windows Live mail it tries to connect to this email...
Hello again after a period of absence here, Wonder if someone could help me out as I'm having the problem outlined in the thread title. Am using Win7 Style Builder and trying to set up the Explorer TreeItem color as specified in this tutorial. After changing the TreeItem textcolor:color to...
Folks, I've spent about a week researching this and searching this forum. Sorry to start a new thread, but I have not seen anything definitive. I have a Windows 7/64 desktop. It has a Power Options issue. It will not retain any changes I make. Opening "Power Options" I select...
please forgive me if this has been posted before, i'm a newbie on here. The problem is when i create a password, say on email etc. my pc does not retain it and i have to log in with my password every time! it used to work a few months ago then it wont work at all. Could anybody shed any light on...
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:55.
Find Us