How to downgrade Windows 10 to Windows 7 without losing data
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Reinstalling Windows 10 can wipe your system clean; here’s how to keep your files intactReinstalling your operating system is not a task to be taken lightly. There are so many things to consider before committing to such an impactful change but sitting at the top of most people’s minds will be preserving their personal files. Learning how to reinstall of Windows 10 without losing data isn’t a straightforward process - it requires time and patience to ensure no issues crop up. The potential reason for wanting to try and reinstall Windows 10 are myriad. General performance issues such as slow-running of the PC is a primary one, but other more serious circumstances like the computer becoming infected with malware or ransomware could also force a business to resort to a clean install. While a clean Windows 10 install might take some patience to complete, it’s perfectly achievable even if you’re not the most technically minded. Microsoft built the operating system (OS) knowing that re-installing the OS would be something many of its users would do over time and made provisions so users can keep hold of their data even with a fresh version. How to factory reset Windows 10 without losing dataThere are three ways to reset Windows 10 without losing your existing data, with each offering near enough the same results through different methods. Method 1: Using the “Reset this PC” optionThe first option is the classic "Reset this PC" which can be found with the following steps: Note: This is arguably the fastest way to reset the machine, though there is one caveat. "Reset this PC" only allows users to keep files. And all user-installed apps and programs will be lost. To avoid loss of pre-existing apps, drivers and programs, we recommend backing up all important data before going ahead with this method of reset. Method 2: Using the Advanced Startup menuTo reinstall Windows 10 using the Advanced Startup option, use the following steps
Note: Like method 1, you’ll need to take a backup of all your data before resetting, as Windows will only save your files and wipe out apps, drivers and programs during reinstallation. Method 3: Using Windows 10 ISO image fileAn ISO file, commonly known as ISO image, is an archive file that contains an identical copy or image of data found on an optical disc, such as a CD or DVD. It allows you to reinstall Windows 10 and keep files given your computer is bootable. Here are the steps you need to follow to reinstall Windows 10 using ISO image:
Your PC will now reboot with the saved settings. Restoring applications after reinstalling Windows 10Once you’ve reinstalled Windows 10, it’s time to restore applications. Begin by verifying your account: Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Your account and click the “Verify” link to get the code required to add your PC back into the saved accounts list. Once verified, log in to your Microsoft account. To restore previously installed apps:
Final thoughtsRelated Resource Strategic app modernisation drives digital transformation Address business needs both now and in the future If after completing all these steps anxiety starts to creep in - perhaps over how long the process is taking - it’s important to stay calm and understand that it’s supposed to take a substantial amount of time. The operating system is working hard to understand how to apply itself to your machine and how best to do that while preserving your files. A slow reinstallation could also be caused by a slow internet connection. Although Windows 10 was designed so that a clean install would be possible, it is still a computer program and as such, it is prone to malfunctions. It’s highly unlikely your reinstallation attempt will end in disaster but in the worst-case scenario, it’s always wise to keep backups of everything that’s important before attempting to start afresh. Keep both a backup of the personal files you’re trying to keep, and a backup of all your old Windows 10 files so that if one reinstallation attempt fails, you have exactly what you need to try again. Featured Resources Getting board-level buy-in for security strategy Why cyber security needs to be a board-level issue Technology Ecosystem benchmark report The evolution of the IT industry Can't choose between public and private cloud? You don't have to with IaaS Enjoy a cloud-like experience with on-premises infrastructure How organisations drive employee empowerment and business results with leading digital technology What you can achieve with a leading approach to digital work RecommendedWindows 10 users encounter ‘blue screen of death’ after latest Patch Tuesday update Microsoft Windows Windows 10 users encounter ‘blue screen of death’ after latest Patch Tuesday update20 Dec 2022 How to speed up Windows 10 Microsoft Windows How to speed up Windows 1019 Dec 2022 How to virtualise Windows 7 inside Windows 10 Microsoft Windows How to virtualise Windows 7 inside Windows 1016 Dec 2022 17 Windows 10 problems and how to fix them operating systems 17 Windows 10 problems and how to fix them24 Nov 2022 Most PopularWhat is HTTP error 503 and how do you fix it? web browser What is HTTP error 503 and how do you fix it? 13 Dec 2022 LastPass customer password vaults stolen, targeted phishing attacks likely Security LastPass customer password vaults stolen, targeted phishing attacks likely 23 Dec 2022 Can I downgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 7?If you purchase a new PC today, it likely will have Windows 10 preinstalled. Users still have an option, though, which is the ability to downgrade the installation to an older version of Windows, such as Windows 7 or even Windows 8.1.
How to downgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 7 without Windows old?There is no downgrade path from Windows 10 to Windows 7. You must perform a complete re-installation of Windows 7.
Does Windows 7 downgrade delete everything?Downgrading to Windows 7 is essentially like installing a fresh operating system, which will delete all of the data on your drive. Make sure all of your important files are safely backed up to a USB drive or the cloud before you start the downgrade process.
How to downgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 7 after 30 days?If you want to downgrade Windows 10 after the 30-day rollback period expires, the following are some of the best ways you can do so:. Clean install the version of Windows you were previously using.. Restore your computer to factory settings.. Use a system image to go back to your previous Windows installation.. |
