Going Back to Windows 8.1 From Windows 10

I Have A Windows 10 and I downloaded the technical preview and I hate the preview so I want to uninstall it and I want to bring back my

windows 8.1,Pls Help

See if this assists you to «Rollback»

«How to uninstall Windows 10 Technical Preview:

Or you may have to follow these Methods to reinstall windows 8.1.

You can contact the Laptop/Computer manufacturer and order Recovery Media from them for a small cost.

Or create your own Recovery Media to do a clean install of Windows 8.1.

«Create installation media for Windows 8.1»

A similar Tutorial which may also assist you

«Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1»

In the first screen of this very simple wizard, you need to choose the following:

Language. English – en-us if you’re in the United States.

Edition. Windows 8.1 (Core), Windows 8.1 N, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro N, or Windows 8.1 Single Language.

Architecture. 64-bit (x64 ) or 32-bit (x86).

» How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO»

Warning

This will not work to install Windows 8 or 8.1 for UEFI. For that, see this tutorial below instead.

With Windows 8/8.1 The Product Key on preinstalled Operating Systems (HP, Acer, etc) is embedded in the BIOS in the Motherboard, so that the lost and/or worn C.O.A. Sticker problem is no more.

When you reinstall it will pick up the Product Key and activate the system automatically.

If it does not, follow these steps:

» How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone»

«Get help with activation errors»

«How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center»

This information may interest you if you do wish to keep a record of it:

«Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool»

«We’re proud to introduce the immediate release of our newest utility for Windows users: the NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image.»

Bill Smithers — Microsoft MVP July 2013 — Dec 2020

how do i go back to a previous windows 10 version from windows 10 creator fall update

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Hi Mike, if it has been more that 10 days since the Fall Creators Update has been installed, it would require a clean install of a previous version of Windows 10 . . .

To check this:
Open the Settings App
Go to Update and Security
Click Recovery, is there a Roll back to previous version option available there?
If so, click ‘Start’ to return to 1703 . .

Backup your Data

Download Windows 10 version 1703 ISO from this link:
https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php

Click this link to download Windows USB DVD Download Tool:
https://wudt.codeplex.com/

Use that tool to create bootable Windows 10 installation media from the ISO

Then boot your system from the installation media and install Windows 10 1703

Restore your data once Windows 10 is installed

Power to the Developer!

MSI GV72 — 17.3″, i7-8750H (Hex Core), 32GB DDR4, 4GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 256GB NVMe M2, 2TB HDD

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NOTE: Please be aware the Windows.old folder located at the root of the local disk where Windows 10 is installed will be deleted after 10 days automatically. The Windows.old folder is used to facilitate the rollback. So please perform any rollback within 10 days or this option will no longer be available. Otherwise, create a backup before upgrading to Windows 10.

Start by opening Settings – Click Start > Settings or type Settings in the search bar and click it or press Windows key + i

Click Update and Security

Click Go back to my previous version of Windows 10, click Get started.

Here you can make multiple selections why are going back to your previous version of Windows along with additional details or you can choose just one and click Next.

As noted, any configurations made to Windows 10 since upgrading will be lost, so if you installed new programs or hardware drivers or made personal settings, those will be deleted.

Make sure you have your password ready to sign into your old version if you had been using one. Click Next

The process can take a while depending on the amount data, applications and settings. Click Next

Click Go Back to begin the process.

Windows 10 will Restart

When the process is complete, you will be booted into your previous version of Windows environment.

If you cannot load the Windows Desktop, you can initiate a Rollback using the following method:

Log out
At the Sign In screen, hold down the shift key on your keyboard while clicking the Power button on the screen
Continue to hold down the shift key while clicking Restart
Continue to hold down the shift key until the Advanced Recovery Options menu appears

Click Advanced options

Click Go back to the previous version of Windows

Going back from Windows 10 to Windows 7

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Hi tyler, if the time period to roll back to Windows 7 has lapsed, to revert to Windows 7 at this point, your only option would be to clean install Windows 7 — it will not cost anything, but time . . .

Here is how to revert to Windows 7:

The Windows 7 product key should be o a Sticker on the bottom casing of your PC/Laptop If it is a laptop, or it might be under the battery — you will need it!

Backup all your files

Click this link to download a small Microsoft utility (Windows USB/DVD Download Tool) to create bootable Installation Media from the ISO
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/detail.

Create the bootable Installation media on a DVD or USB Flash Drive

Insert the bootable media into the PC

Start your PC, on the manufacturers logo screen press the appropriate button to get into BIOS Setup (Usually F2 or Del key)

Move the drive with the bootable media to the to of the Boot order list

Press F10 to save settings and restart

Windows 7 will begin installing

When your system reboots, go into BIOS and set your hard drive as top of the Boot Order

Do not remove the Installation media until you reach the Desktop

Power to the Developer!

MSI GV72 — 17.3″, i7-8750H (Hex Core), 32GB DDR4, 4GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 256GB NVMe M2, 2TB HDD

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Hi,
unfortunately, it sounds like the only option left is to reinstall from disc, however, (assuming you still have your product key) you can download windows 7 iso and create the install disc for free.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-downlo.

we might be able to offer help with the windows 10 issues, if you want to give that a try first just let us know.

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I’m Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Do the Windows 7 Clean Install in this link which is the best possible install you can have: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.

Use the Product Key on retail package or on COA sticker affixed to PC to reactivate. It may require phone activation to reclaim use of the WIndows 7 license, but you’re entitled to use either WIndow 7 or 10 on that PC for life.

But in the same amount of time you could have the best possible install of Windows 10 by doing a Clean Install which solves almost all problems and has very few complaints from those who struggled with the inferior Upgrade or Factory install: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it’s resolved.

Over 100,000 helped in forums for 11 years. I don’t quit for those who are polite and cooperative.

Windows MVP 2010-21

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Step 1: You need to download the install files for Windows 7 if you are reinstalling it on a system where it was previously installed. You can use the following resources:

Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool – HeiDoc.net
http://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science.

Step 2: Make a bootable copy:

How to Prepare Bootable Install Media for Windows — DVD, USB or SD Card
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wik.

Step 3: Download any necessary drivers you might need for Windows 7 from the manufacturers website.

Step 4: Perform a custom install — see the Windows 7 section of the following article how to do that:

Review the following guide for instructions and details about configuring your BIOS or UEFI boot settings for DVD, CD, USB or SD Card.

BIOS/UEFI Setup Guide: Boot from a CD, DVD, USB Drive or SD Card
https://www.groovypost.com/howto/bios-uefi-setu.

Once your computer is set to boot from the DVD, you should see this option. If you are installing from a retail Windows 10 USB thumb drive, you will be asked to select either 32 or 64 bit Windows 10. Learn more here https://www.groovypost.com/howto/choose-windows.

Select a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method, and then click Next.

Click Install Now

Wait while temporary files are loaded.

Click Custom (Advanced)

When the setup menu appears, select the custom (advanced) option, select the disk partition where you would like to install Windows 7. Click Next.

You will receive the following warning:

The partition you selected might contain files from a previous Windows Installation. If it does, these files and folders will be moved to a folder named Windows.old. You will be able to access the information in Windows.old, but you will be able to use your previous version of Windows.

Setup will now start the installation. During the installation, your machine will be restarted several times.

You can then recover your personal files from the Windows.old folder and reinstall all your applications and drivers.

Step 5: how find your product key and reactivate:

Windows 7 came preinstalled on my computer, how do I find the product key?

The product key is usually located on the COA sticker attached to the bottom of your laptop or in the battery compartment. In some rare cases it can also be found in the memory compartment. For tower systems, look at the top or the side of the system unit. It looks like the following:

If the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker is damaged or letters or not legible, you will have to consider the following options:

Use a digital camera to capture a picture of the COA then enlarge it on your computer.
If the COA sticker is damaged, then you would need to use the recovery partition to reinstall Windows 7, this will exempt the need to use the product key to activate your Windows 7 installation.
If your recovery partition is not available or damaged, you should contact the manufacturer of your computer and request a recovery disc set you can use to reinstall Windows 7. They might charge a small shipping and handling fee. This will exempt the need to use the product key also.

I bought a retail box copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8 or Windows 8.1; where do I find the product key?

For Windows 7, the product key can be located on a pamphlet in inside the Windows 7 box.

Going back to windows 7 from windows 10

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I have a friend who upgraded to windows 10 and didn’t like it so he was trying to go back to his original windows 7 however, when he got to the part in «Recovery» there was no option to «Go Back To Windows 7». Can someone step me through how to get back to his windows 7 without having to reset his computer to «Factory Settings»? Thanks

If you do not like Windows 10, there is inbuilt provision in Windows 10 for you to rollback to the previous Operating System within the first 30 days.

«You have a month to downgrade to Windows 8.1 or 7, depending what you upgraded from, if Windows 10 isn’t right for you»

If you fail to do so within the first 30 days of upgrading that option will be removed and, you will either have to reinstall the original Operating System from the original Media, or from a System Image that you made of the original Operating System before doing the Upgrade to Windows 10.

Or you may have to follow these Methods to reinstall Windows 7.

This is the Microsoft download link.

But Microsoft only provides these downloads for Windows 7 Retail Product Keys, not OEM preinstalled Product Keys (Dell, HP, etc).

Or you can also borrow the exact same Retail Windows 7 Edition DVD and use your Product Key to reinstall.

Or you can use this for preinstalled or Retail Licenses

Download the correct ISO file and make your own disk and use the Product Key that is on the COA Sticker.

And here are instructions on how to burn ISO images to disk:

Then do a clean install:

The COA sticker is either on the underside of the Laptop or in the Battery Compartment.

With a Desktop it is either on the side, rear or top of the Computer Case.

Using the downloaded ISO file Method may require phone Activation.

If it does require phone Activation, do not follow the Auto Prompts, but hold on for a real person to explain to as to what has been done for re-installation purposes

» How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone»

The above method also will require you to go to your Computer Manufacturer’s website > Support and Downloads Section > locate your Model Number and Operating System > then download and install the latest Drivers for it.

Using the USB method in conjunction with the above Windows 7 download:

» How to Get and Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool»

Bill Smithers — Microsoft MVP July 2013 — Dec 2020