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

[Reggie49]

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

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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?

 

[Reggie49]

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?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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?

 

[AddRAM]

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.