Solved Windows 10 to 7 image restore question

[ThrashZone]

A retail key might be handled differently seeing it can be transferred but there might be reactivation issues eventually or rearming seeing you used it to upgrade.

Especially an oem or system builders you may have to contact them to reactivate or straighten out not genuine popups.

Many oem's are being eaten by rolling back the proper way and people get bounced back and forth between MS and the computer manufacture.

 

[seltzermx]

In this case, I have a Win 7 ultimate key from a retail box, so they better give me what I paid for!!

 

[ThrashZone]

There ya go

I don't use a Micro... account for login.....
So as long as there is powershell and
Get-AppxPackage *name app to be removed* | Remove-AppxPackage
I'm sure I'll survive win-10
The only question is will Micro... reinstall the apps I removed
10 isn't that bad it's just full of stuff I do not want

 

[spokey]

AH, i have done a clone to a smaller drive in the past. Like here when I went from my 750GB to 500GB SSD. I was only using around 300GB, so it wasn't an issue. A bit more tedious to resize and all that, but not a problem.

And I don't expect to dual-boot. I'd either be using one or the other.

And hmmm... hadn't considered the license thing. I know you can now use a Win7/8 key for a clean install instead of having to upgrade, get the key, and then wipe if you wanted to start fresh. But now, I'm not sure what happens to they key itself. Does it change into a Win10 key or do i get a new key? Does the Win7 key become invalid if I used it for the upgrade?

And can I roll back if I go with a clean install?

I'm about to do the same thing and hadn't considered the key thing either. Keep us informed if you do try to roll back.

I use system images. For cloning I use MiniTool Partition Wizard. I shrink the partitions, then disk copy, then system image backup, then fuss with final resizing.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Now the clone if you are going to keep it and use it later - if you do not like 10 - the activation code for that copy on the original drive will still stand because it is tied to the motherboard not the drive.

In fact if you were to use a new drive for example and got hold of a Windows ISO copy of the version you have (not the original media disk) as long as you use the activation code from the sticker when installing then Windows will install without any problems, it just has to be the exact copy for what you had installed originally.

For example if the original install was Ultimate 64bit then if the ISO has to be for Ultimate 64bit then the code which like I said is embedded in the motherboard will allow you to activate it.

If you have the retail copy then if it isn't installed on any other machine you can install it as many times as you like - to a point on any machine but only one machine at a time.

 

[seltzermx]

This probably doesnt go here, but wanted to ask here anyways since its my old topic. I'm finally doing this upgrade, and in trying to create the install media for my clean install, my "Edition" options are "Windows 10", "Windows 10 Home Single Language", and "Windows 10 N".
I currently have Windows 7 Ultimate, so I was expecting to get Pro (at least that's how I thought it worked). Is this no longer the case, or how do I get a Pro install disc?

Thanks!

 

[spokey]

I just did my first win10 today. had an old laptop with win7 pro. I did an upgrade (that is not a clean install) and it recognized and installed the x64 pro. at least i think it did. I had done a download prior and at that point it had asked whether I wanted x32 or x64 or both (which I chose). My understanding is the edition is based on your old (e.g. win7 ) license/version.

 

[derekimo]

This probably doesnt go here, but wanted to ask here anyways since its my old topic. I'm finally doing this upgrade, and in trying to create the install media for my clean install, my "Edition" options are "Windows 10", "Windows 10 Home Single Language", and "Windows 10 N".
I currently have Windows 7 Ultimate, so I was expecting to get Pro (at least that's how I thought it worked). Is this no longer the case, or how do I get a Pro install disc?

Thanks!

Just choose the "Windows 10" version, if you are using the Tech Bench option, the download has Home and Pro versions on it.

Windows 10 ISO Download - Windows 10 Forums

 

[seltzermx]

This probably doesnt go here, but wanted to ask here anyways since its my old topic. I'm finally doing this upgrade, and in trying to create the install media for my clean install, my "Edition" options are "Windows 10", "Windows 10 Home Single Language", and "Windows 10 N".
I currently have Windows 7 Ultimate, so I was expecting to get Pro (at least that's how I thought it worked). Is this no longer the case, or how do I get a Pro install disc?

Thanks!

Just choose the "Windows 10" version, if you are using the Tech Bench option, the download has Home and Pro versions on it.

Windows 10 ISO Download - Windows 10 Forums

Thank you!! We shall see how it goes tomorrow morning!

 

[seltzermx]

In case anyone wanted to know, the install went smoothly. Hit some expected rough patches with the graphics drivers, but thank god for Leshcatlabs and their custom stuff. Spent a good chunk of the day reinstalling old programs and tweaking settings as needed. looks like i wont need to revert after all.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep well for anyone reading this thread re upgrading I always clone the original drive and use the clone for the upgrade. This to me at least has two advantages - namely I have the original drive with all my gear on (as does the clone) and if the upgrade does not go well or one doesn't like 10 the original drive is swapped back into the machine.
Lastly the cloned drive can then be cleaned, cloned again and the upgrade tried again. Just as a by the by it also means I have two options - unless I am terribly wrong of having 10 on one drive and 7 on the other which can be swapped as desired. Plus I have even clean installed 7 as normal onto a new drive using the old activation code. Again I could be living in a fools paradise but right now I have the best of both worlds without having to dual boot.

 

[Barman58]

Having the Windows 7 and the windows 10 upgraded from it on different bootable drives could be seen as a breech of the EULA.

I have not seen any action as yet on this but it's quite possible that Microsoft will tighten up the repeated switching of Old and New OS use after the end of the Free period

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yep to legally dual boot the old fashion way with separate drives or the same disk on another partition... the activation key is the same
August we'll see how many not genuine messages start popping up

It's been states to dual boot you'd need two licenses I'd believe that

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok Nigel and Mike I am just going to have to make up my mind then eh? I suppose if worst came to the worst I could keep the original activation for 7 and slip in an OEM 10.

Having said that I am getting used to 10 and I have my other machines to use for 7 cos there is no such thing as a free lunch eh?

Edit I meant to add though that I have found the cloning method better to try 10 than just upgrading and then it falling in a heap.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yea unless you just love to talk to Micro... support over the phone or chat it would be best if you want to revert back to 7 do so properly
I have 1 win-7 and 1 win-10 on 2 of my machines all on separate licenses it is the way it's supposed to be
Although I rarely if ever use win-10.