How do I format Windows 8 installed drive back to Windows 7

[dorruk]

I have made this huge mistake of installing Windows 8 Developer Preview on top Windows 7, with an .exe file. Downloaded from torrent.
It seems it has expired and the system restarts without a prompt every 2 hours.

I have all my files, programs and their paths, savedatas piled up in Drive D, so I'd like to format Drive C, and reinstall Windows 7. I have not made a system restore DVD the first time I opened the PC, back in Win 7. I have a Windows 7 Repair dvd, but it says it's only for Samsung computers, mine's Asus. And I have a 8 GB USB flash.

So can I format Drive C, where Windows 8 is installed on top Windows 7, and restore Windows 7? I have an x64 system, so do you have a verified x64 "Windows 7 boot from USB and install" iso file?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Arc]

Follow it : http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[windude99]

I have made this huge mistake of installing Windows 8 Developer Preview on top Windows 7, with an .exe file. Downloaded from torrent.
It seems it has expired and the system restarts without a prompt every 2 hours.

I have all my files, programs and their paths, savedatas piled up in Drive D, so I'd like to format Drive C, and reinstall Windows 7. I have not made a system restore DVD the first time I opened the PC, back in Win 7. I have a Windows 7 Repair dvd, but it says it's only for Samsung computers, mine's Asus. And I have a 8 GB USB flash.

So can I format Drive C, where Windows 8 is installed on top Windows 7, and restore Windows 7? I have an x64 system, so do you have a verified x64 "Windows 7 boot from USB and install" iso file?

Thanks in advance.

You will need to format the drive and install a new copy of Windows , unless you installed Windows 8 to a different partition.

 

[dorruk]

You will need to format the drive and install a new copy of Windows , unless you installed Windows 8 to a different partition.

Unfortunately it's on the same partition. I executed an update file that updates Windows 7 to Windows 8. I can format the whole drive C though, provided it won't touch the files in drive D.

And Arc, it tells me to put the Windows 7 installation DVD in the tutorial. The deal is, where do I have the proven-to-be-working ISO file of the DVD?

 

[Arc]

Do you have your windows 7 license key ?

 

[dorruk]

Do you have your windows 7 license key ?

nope. Possible to download it externally?

 

[Arc]

Is it there in the COA sticker on the body of the machine ? How have you got your windows 7 initially, and how it was activated earlier ?

 

[dorruk]

Is it there in the COA sticker on the body of the machine ? How have you got your windows 7 initially, and how it was activated earlier ?

Yeah, found that sticker. There "is" a product key. But I don't think I can just type the key and get a Win 7 download link. So what do I do with it?

Btw the laptop initially came with Windows 7 out of the box, I was not prompted to activate or sth. like that.

 

[Arc]

If it is the 25 character windows 7 product key, you can use it to activate your installation. Go to microsoft's digital river and download the appropriate version it was initially, burn it in a dvd, and follow the tutorial given earlier.

 

[windude99]

Here is where you get your legal copy of Windows 7, since you have a product key: Windows 7 ISO x86 and x64 Official Direct Download Links (Ultimate, Professional and Home Premium) « My Digital Life

 

[dorruk]

Got it. Thanks a lot guys. +rep

 

[gregrocker]

Follow these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.\

Everything you need is in the blue link.