Updated to Win 10, Downgrade to Win 7, Computer Won't Start!

koukaclover · 23 Aug 2015

Help! I recently upgraded to Windows 10 on an Acer 5552-3691 Aspire Laptop, and it just made it worse. It was extremely slow and I didn't agree with the privacy changes, so I backed up my files, went to the settings, and clicked on the option to "Downgrade to Windows 7." I had the necessary folder to do so, Windows.old, and so I thought it would turn out okay. Once it had finished, it seemed to start up normally, but once it got to the "Starting Windows" screen with the glowing logo, it did a half-second glitch that looked like a blue-screen, but I'm not exactly sure. It then continued to do the normal startup, except it gave me the "Startup Repair" option. I went through the repair screen and it said "Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically." I am completely confused as to what went wrong, and have no idea how to fix it. I don't have an OS disk since it came pre-installed with Windows. Please help!

I have attached the description of the problem in Startup Repair.

strunberg · 24 Aug 2015

Do you have a authorization key for win 7?

Arc · 24 Aug 2015

Sometimes updrade installations of windows 10 may not work as expected. In this situation, if you want to use windows 10, do a clean reinstall with windows 10. Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

You will need a windows 10 ISO image to do it. Windows 10 ISO Download - Windows 10 Forums
Create a bootable USB using that downloaded ISO, following USB Flash Drive - Create to Install Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

As the computer is already upgraded to windows 10, skip when it asks for a product key. The installation should remain activated.

Under essentially identical condition, windows 10 runs faster and smoother than windows 7.

ThrashZone · 24 Aug 2015

Hi,
I would contact Acer for options to receive a reinstall disk

You say you backed up files how exactly did you do that besides windows old folder ?

koukaclover · 24 Aug 2015

Hi, thanks for the responses. So, Windows 10, in my opinion, ran so much slower than windows seven did. My computer is a bit older and wasn't made to run it in the first place. I really don't want to do a clean reinstall for Windows 10 because I would like to go back to Windows 7. It had way better compatibility and a UI that I'm familiar with. But anyway, I backed up my most important files that were on the computer, so I'm not going to lose anything by doing a complete reset. It just took around a full 24 hours to receive the updates for some reason. Also, with Acer's built in eRecovery Management it was riddled with problems when I reset it, so I'm trying to find a work-around. Also, how would I get an authorization key for Windows 7?

ThrashZone · 24 Aug 2015

Hi,
The Acer computer should have a key on it,
As far as the iso of 10 might be the best attempt to see if it sees everything on the disk = windows old folder and the prior 10 install

It may integrate and give you the same recovery to 7 as it did before but didn't go very well.
Not much to loose now all is about lost anyway
https://insider.windows.com/
Just use the upgrade and not the clean install

koukaclover · 24 Aug 2015

Okay, so right now I went into the recovery options and I am restoring the computer to the factory default settings. I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks so much. This might take a while.

ThrashZone · 24 Aug 2015

You'd be better off using the 10 iso it will also have recovery options inside it
Most important might be startup repair :/

toglenn · 25 Aug 2015

Have you checked the Boot Manager in your computer's BIOS?