Hi all,

I installed windows 8 Release Preview under the recommendation of my friend. But after installation, I have some problems when using windows 8 RP. I have never used any version of windows 8 and I am a windows 8 literate. So I dont know to fix those problems and I dont know how to use windows 8 RP. So I am thinking about getting back to windows 7. Is it possible? Thank you.

To go back to your previous version of Windows, you'll need to reinstall it from the recovery or installation media that came with your PC; typically DVD media. If you don’t have recovery media you might be able to create it from a recovery partition on your PC using software provided by your PC manufacturer.

You can also download the Win 7 ISO file from Digital River, burn it to DVD and use that to re-install Windows. You will have to also re-install all your apps and customizations, updates, etc.

This is the biggest reason why in my Step by Step instructions for installing Win 8 RP I say make a system Image. If you do not know how then do not continue. With an Up To Date system Image of your Win 7 system, restoring to the exact way Win 7 was before you started the Win 8 installation would take about 10 minutes instead of the many hours you have ahead of you.

But, Ted, one wouldn't put Win8 Beta on top of or instead of Windows7, in the 1st place, right? So why the worry over an image to put Win7 BACK?

Cheers,
Drew



Factiousness, my friend

I must have put that statement about Imaging into 20 separate threads including Sticky threads. People just do not read before jumping in.

But, that's not a concern, anyway... since nobody would ever overwrite Win7 w/ a beta OS, now would they, Ted.

Oh, you mean, that memo didn't get read, either? Hmmmm...

If a friend told me to do something as stupid as overwriting my main OS with a Beta OS, and didn't tell me how to back up my main OS first, I'd beat the hell out of him and he would be my EX-Friend. Eh?

What ever happened to plain old 'Common Sense'
Oh, I remember, that's a part of the dumbing down of America.

We can sit here and sympathize till the cows come home, (and believe me, I do!) but there's not a dang thing we can do for someone who just Deleted their main OS by overwriting it with a BETA OS, where there is NO UN-Install option.

The only possible saving grace, might be, that when you overwrite an existing OS, like Win-7, with Win-8/RP, it will cram everything from the old OS in a single folder called "Windows.old".

You can browse through there and copy all your data files to Flash Drives, External Hard Drive, etc., so they are not really GONE.

If you were local, I'd say bring that PC over here and I'll help you with the recovery.
I do have every version of Windows 7, on a single DVD.
By the way, for PC Techs, that's a really great Tech Tool.

Good Luck Mate!
TechnoMage

There is a method to reinstall Win 7 from the windows.old folder. SevenForums shows the method. It is somewhat involved but works.

Many thanks to everyone! I will do a clean install of windows 7. I will do backup.

Good to hear & you're welcome.

You may, still, be keen to delve into Winows8 some. If, so, the easiest to set up & the best & easiest to use is dual-boot. If, you need to know how, don't hesitate to ask; be glad to tell you

Cheers,
Drew