Windows 10: Downgrading to Windows 7

I'm trying to figure out how to downgrade back to Windows 7 after Windows 10 installation.

I have the windows.old folder still in check. Only thing is, I didnt upgrade, I installed a fresh Windows 10 with an ISO which puts older installations into a Windows.old folder.

I see now that I need to copy over files that are encrypted with EFS and would like to revert back to that Windows 7 so that I can copy over those files.

:)

 

bsod after downgrading from windows 10 to windows 7


Hello there, tom.
I would try these:

• Get your Windows 7 media device and reinstall Windows
• Try auto-repair
• Follow these steps:

1. Put in your Windows 10 media device, boot into the USB
2. Select your language and keyboard input, then click next.
3. Click "Repair this computer"
4. Go to "Advanced options"
5. click system restore
6. Select a restore point before you downgraded to Windows 7.

Hope I helped!

 

Microsoft Windows 7 Will Allow Downgrades too

Even though there's still some time left before the official release of Windows 7, Microsoft - the creator of this OS - confirmed today that just like some Windows Vista distributions could be downgraded to Windows XP with ease, the same will apply to Windows 7. General users of Windows 7 will be given the option of downgrading right over Vista to Windows XP, a Microsoft spokesperson has confirmed.
"This is not the first time that Microsoft has offered downgrade rights to a version other than its immediate predecessor," the spokesperson told Betanews, "and our Software Assurance customers can always downgrade to any previous version of Windows."
Microsoft hasn't detailed exactly how downgrade rights will work with Windows 7 - for now we know that Windows 7 will be downgradable to either Windows Vista or Windows XP - the rest of the details remain unclear.

Source: Betanews

 

Windows 10 to windows 7 downgrade

No; it isn't possible the way you want to do it.

Downgrade Rights from 10 Pro to 7 Pro has to follow a certain path, with the first part being how you purchase Windows 10
Pro.

You would have to buy 10 Pro preinstalled and make arrangements with the OEM manufacturer for a downgrade to 7 Pro.

Here is the information about Downgrade rights. It is an old Microsoft link which they removed but the information still apples>

Device Partner Center

Downgrade rights for Windows software
The following OEM versions of Windows software are eligible for downgrade rights.

[table][tr][td]Windows 10 Pro includes downgrade rights to:

• Windows 8.1 Pro
• Windows 7 Professional

[/td][td]Windows 8.1 Pro includes downgrade rights to:

• Windows 7 Professional
• Windows Vista Business

[/td][td]Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate include downgrade rights to:

• Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, or Windows XP x64 Edition

Note Other OEM Windows 7 versions (for example, Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Premium) do not include downgrade rights.[/td][/tr][/table]

Note downgrade rights are only available as long as Microsoft provides support for that earlier version,
as outlined in the
Windows lifecycle fact sheet.

Steps for an end user to downgrade Windows software
To downgrade eligible Windows software, end users must:

• Purchase a PC preinstalled with Windows software.
• Accept the Microsoft Software License Terms.
• Perform the downgrade process to the eligible downgrade product using the media/key from a genuine, previously licensed OEM or retail product.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@