Will I be able to restore windows vista?

[FreshSam]

I just got my computer back from repair and they restored vista from 7. I want to reinstall 7 but I want to keep the possibility of restoring it to vista in case something goes wrong again, so they can't blame me.

I have a recovery partition, will that partition be enough to restore to vista in case I want to? Or do I need to do something else?

 

[richc46]

Welcome Freshsam

I have a Dell with the recovery partition, during a clean install, leaving the partition alone, it lost its ablity to restore the compter. Reading posts from others, I learned that as a general rule the process of installing a new system destroys the ability of the partition to function. So, I would assume that you can no longer return to factory condition.

 

[Tews]

Set up a dual boot configuration and have the best of both worlds..

 

[FreshSam]

Is setting up a dual boot as simple as making two partitions and installing 7 on the second?

 

[FZ21Z]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/5166-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-vista.html

 

[FreshSam]

Can someone explain to me why vista only lets me shrink the partition by 57gb when there is 118 gb of free space?

 

[gregrocker]

Try defragging volume using Auslogics Disk Defragger. If it shows a system file way out in right field, then move it using PerfectDisk10 trial Offline System Defrag.

Can you make a Recovery Disk set from your working Recovery Partition? Then you could skip the Dual Boot and clean install Win7 over Vista.

 

[FreshSam]

Would recovery disks reinstall vista after 7 being installed over it?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, correctly created Recovery Disks will return the HD to factory condition, including the Recovery Partition if it is later wiped.

 

[FreshSam]

Is there a guide on how to make them?

 

[gregrocker]

It is in your Manual. If you don't have your manual, find it at Support Downloads webpage for your model computer.

There should be some kind of Recovery application listed in All Programs that generates the Disks from the partition.