Downgrade to Vista from Windows 7

Hello,

I am trying downgrade from windows 7 to windows vista. When I put in my windows vista cd, my computer is unable to "get important updates" and says I will be able to download the updates after the download. I agree to the statement. Next, when it asks what kind of installation I want, I am only able to choose Custom and not Upgrade. After clicking custom, it tell me that "No drives were found. Click Load driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation. None of my drives work. Im stuck here and dont know what to do. Please help.

-Adam

atsilv2012 said:

Hello,

I am trying downgrade from windows 7 to windows vista. When I put in my windows vista cd, my computer is unable to "get important updates" and says I will be able to download the updates after the download. I agree to the statement. Next, when it asks what kind of installation I want, I am only able to choose Custom and not Upgrade. After clicking custom, it tell me that "No drives were found. Click Load driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation. None of my drives work. Im stuck here and dont know what to do. Please help.

-Adam

Not even going to ask why you want to but the only way (i believe) is to do a format and re-install. That requires that you have the original vista dvd (not restore or oem).


Try googling it


Ken



edit I was wrong you can and the instructions are here. http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-do...by-step-guide/

There is no Downgrade option for an in-place install, only Upgrade.

Why do you feel you need to reinstall Vista? If there is a program or driver that is giving you problems, try installing it in Compatibility mode: Compatibility Mode

If this doesn't work, even after consulting experts on how to make it work, then consider shrinking your Win7 partition to install Vista in a Dual Boot until you get it worked out.

As Ken said, you'll have to clean reinstall if you want to go back to Vista. Or run your factory Recovery disks or partition if it still exists.

Haha Im downgrading to vista then going to upgrade to 7 again. I got a virus and my whole computer is out of wack. I just want to recovery factory settings but when I go through the process of hitting f8 and all that, the opionn does not appear.

So can anyone help me recover factory settings in windows 7 withought going back to vista? I purchased windows 7 online and I have the setup files and serial number all ready. What do I do?

bigmck said:

You don't need to install Vista again. Take you Win 7 disk and follow this tutorial. It will format your drive and install Win 7.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Unless I'm misunderstanding what he's saying....

atsilv2012 said:

So can anyone help me recover factory settings in windows 7 withought going back to vista? I purchased windows 7 online and I have the setup files and serial number all ready. What do I do?

a clean install isn't going to restore his system back to "factory settings"

@ atsilv, do you have a partition on your system that has a recovery disk? If so use that. otherwise the suggestion bigmck gave will be a good option, however this will wipe the drive and you'll have reinstall alll the programs and set the system to your liking.

And if you meant something else, bigmcks suggestion works like a champ

I dont have a partition on my system and I dont mind reinstalling everything. I pretty much just want to start from scratch. When I am running windows 7 installation, It says it cant find a driver. I cant load driver for it to continue. This is so frustrating.

bigmck said:

Let me ask one other question. == Where did you get your copy of Win 7?

good one.