Revert Back to RC from 7 ultimate install?

[honzel]

I recently installed windows 7 ultimate (x86) over windows 7 RC(x64). The install worked fine however i mistakenly thought it was upgrading not installing over (x64). Long story short im left with windows.old and windows.old.000. i'd like to revert back to the rc for the time being becuase i dont have all of the software to install on the fresh os. is there any way to do this? i found the microsoft article: How to back up or transfer your data on a Windows-based computer
it however is dealing with 32bit and not the 64 (two sets of program files ect.) so im not sure how to procede without FUBARing my os. Is there a way to VMware my old os? or partition it and boot from it?
Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

How to restore a Windows 7-based computer to a previous Windows installation by using the Windows.old folder

Suggest that you first use Win7 backup center to save externally a Win7 backup image so you don't have to reinstall in the future, just reimage from the DVD Repair console in 15 minutes.

 

[honzel]

But what about the second file windows.old.000 there are two sets of windows old files what do i rename them?

 

[gregrocker]

Suggest you only deal with the windows.old folder that has your complete set of RC files in it, which would include all of your User accounts folders, windows, program files, etc.

Anyone else know for sure?

 

[Zidane24]

Could we get a screenshot of the files in both folders

 

[honzel]

windows.old contains the program files for what looks like the 32bit programs and the windows.old.000 contains the installs for the 64 bit.

 

[Zidane24]

windows.old contains the program files for what looks like the 32bit programs and the windows.old.000 contains the installs for the 64 bit.

hm...if this is true...this is interesting

 

[honzel]

would it be possible to copy them into another partition and just boot that? and the windows.old/windows and windows.old.000/windows do not have the same content are there two sets of windows files onthe 64bit?

 

[gregrocker]

Stand by. SIW2 should know, if anyone does.

When you get it rolled back, you can use this to in-place Upgrade RC to 32 bit Ultimate:
http://tech.icrontic.com/articles/upgrade-the-windows-7-rc-to-retail

 

[honzel]

here are some screenshots

 

[SIW2]

Thats' interesting. What did O/S you have installed before the RC?

Did you get the RC in August/September time?

 

[honzel]

I had vista before

 

[honzel]

I just need some way to boot the old system. is there some way i can copy it to another partition or boot it from vmware or rename the files. i totally shotmyself in the foot and cant finish my work.

 

[SIW2]

32 bit Vista?

We need to find out what has gone on to prescribe the best course of action.

 

[gregrocker]

Si - Can he use one of his windows.old folders to roll back using the MS KB: How to restore a Windows 7-based computer to a previous Windows installation by using the Windows.old folder

This is the only way I know to roll back to old OS. It is complicated, but works.

Afterwards he could in-place Upgrade from the RC to retail Ultimate using this workaround which has worked well for many: Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech

 

[SIW2]

Hang on greg - waiting for honzel to answer the question.

This should be doable - need to do it the right way.

 

[honzel]

yeah the 32 bit

 

[honzel]

so after looking through the two files it seems that the windows.old is just a partial copy of the windows.old.000/program files. I beleive somehow the install only copied part of the files before it reset and just made a whole new foler. dont know why that would happen but its the only reasonable thing i could deduce to explain why this would happen.

 

[honzel]

Scrath the last post thats wrong. It must have been from the vista restore.

 

[SIW2]

OK Greg - you are on the right track .

Honzel needs to use the windows.old.000 folder.

Couple of things to make it easier.

1. Rename the existing Windows.old to VistaWindows.old

2. Rename Windows.old.000 to Windows.old

3. follow the ms kb - remember to also move the Program Files (x86) in step 3 & 4.

It will work if followed correctly.