Windows 10: Question about upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 - license

Hello all

I want to try Windows 10 and accept the free upgrade from Windows 7. If I find in a few months that I want to revert to Windows 7 permanently, is it ok to restore an old system image? I understand that I can only run a single instance of Windows on the one licence, but want to know whether trying Windows 10 for more than one month doesn't stop me from going back.

Thanks for any help.

PS My Windows 7 is an oem copy installed in a self build.

:)

 

Can I keep my Windows 7 copy when upgrading to windows 10?

I can't tell if this was answered above (or elsewhere) or not......

What about this scenario. I suspect this will be a very common use case.

1. I have a licensed and activated (non OEM) Windows 7 Professional installation.

2. I save a backup image of that installation and then accept the Windows 10 in place upgrade.

3. I find a serious compatibility issue (or just decide that Windows 10 and I are not ready for each other) and want to return to Windows 7.

Question 1:

If I return to Windows 7 by restoring my Windows 7 image, will the restored Windows 7 be usable / activated / legal? Or is the trip to Windows 10 a one way street, with my formerly Windows 7 license key only valid for my upgraded Windows 10 system on the
MS servers? If the latter, that scares me. A LOT.

Question 1a:

Same question, but from a clean reinstall of Win7 from my purchased install disk..... will my license key work, or will it get de-activated because the license key was invalidated on MS servers when I upgraded my Win7 installation to Win10?

Question 2:

If the Windows 7 key is no longer valid for Windows 7 after an upgrade to Windows 10, will it be possible to call MS and get it re-activated for Win7 (and therefore deactivated for Win10)?

We need to know the answers to these questions at some point before we accept the free upgrade.

Paul

 

Has there been an official answer to what happens to existing OS serial when upgrading to Win 10?

So I take it this answers the question with my first option. My Win 7 will be replaced by Win 10 and will no longer be useable?

 

Best way 1st is to make your complete system image using Macrium Reflect free version, and not use Windows image backup.
Then when or if you want to go back to windows 7 , you will be able to at anytime you choose.
The other question is correct, you can only run any Windows version only once on your computer with 1 license. Also once you install Windows 10, and its activated, than MS will remember that activation, and will allow you to reinstall windows 10 again if you decide to go back to 7 (only on THAT computer) Hope this helps you. *Smile

 

Just to clarify, OldMike65 meant to say that you can run one version of Windows at a time on your computer...not just once, as in try it one time and you're done

 

Above is a great suggestion by OldMike65. I am just adding how you can revert back to previous windows unless you already dont know.
*Arrow Windows 10 - Go Back to Previous Windows - Windows 10 Forums

After one month, you can go back to windows 7 whenever you want, via a Activate Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

OldMic, Navy & Arc thank you for your swift and helpful replies! I was going to rely on a Windows system image, but will look at Macrium instead. May I just clarify that a fresh install of Windows 7 is the only way to revert if Windows 10 was installed for longer than 31 days?
Thanks again.

 

No, that's why I suggested for you to make your image backup using Macrium Reflect, store this Complete image backup on a external drive if possible, or a 2nd internal drive. Then whenever you want to go back to your Windows 7 just reinstall your image backup that you made with Macrium Reflect. *Smile Don't use Windows Backup, please.....it can fail sometimes. But its your choice of course. *Smile

The image backup will restore your computer exactly as it was, when you made that image backup.

 

OldMike, thanks, got it now. That's what I needed to hear! I hope to get on well with W10, but it's good to know your options.

I hope this also helps others too, Thanks again.

 

This is using Macrium Reflect.....not Windows backup. *Smile

 

Yes I'll go with Macrium Reflect. Thanks for the clarification!

 

Here is the free version link for you *Smile
Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

 

Thank you Mike!

 

A useful link: Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

Thank you OldMike65, Arc and NavyLCDR.