Windows 10: Unable to rollback W10 to W7 even though windows.old is on C:\

When I try to rollback W10 to W7 I get the message "Sorry, you can't go back. Files we need were removed." I have removed nothing and the 3 files I've found in forums that are needed, Windows.old; $windows.-BT; and $windows.-SW are on my C:\ drive and their properties show them to be complete. What else do I need?

:)

 

Win7 installation dvd? just back up your files and start afresh, it could be a mess if you go back.

 

All I have is an old W7 repair disk

 

Was it more that 30 days since you installed windows 10? If it was that would explain why you cannot roll back. This is a link to the sister site Seven Forums. Use the tutorial to burn a new installation disk. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...load-tool.html . You will need your product key also. Copy your personal files so they don't disappear when you clean install.

The other thing you could try is a repair/ in place upgrade of windows 10. This is from the tutorial forum: Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade . Don't know why you wanted to roll back, but if it was because of things not working, this might help.

 

I installed W10 yesterday. I don't like W10's instance on my setting up user accounts, etc., nor do I care for them inserting advertising (solitaire game over screen, among others). In the dozens of promo pop-ups I endured before finally deciding to try W10, it was repeated many times that if I didn't like it, I could return to "what I have now". It turns out that I can't return, through no fault of my own, which, in my opinion, constitutes false advertising. I only want MS to keep their promise. Perhaps the solution is to dump Windows and switch to Mac.

 

You are right with most you are saying. Anyway, even if you believe that what Microsoft does is false advertising (Microsoft's intention will not be to bring people back to their old OS and also they are not responsible for every possible error), this won't bring back your old system.

If the PC came with Windows 7 preinstalled, then it would be a major help, if you got the repair discs, which the manufacturer gave to you. They will most likely contain advert junk again, but on the plus site: You have all the drivers, Windows will be activated without trouble and it will be a clean installation and not some broken upgrade/downgrade stuff.

 

The problem's solution isn't for me to have to rebuild my system, it's for MS to get it right for a change. The necessary files are on my main drive, but apparently rollback doesn't recognize them. MS didn't promise "broken upgrade/downgrade stuff" in their promotions, they said I could go back to where I was before I upgraded. "Sorry" doesn't cut it. If MS doesn't stand behind their advertising claims it still constitutes false advertising, regardless of their intent at the time the ad was put out there.

 

You are annoyed. We know that. Do you want a solution for your broken system? Or did you only want to say how annoyed you are?

 

Yes, I am annoyed, and yes I do want to get it fixed. I just don't want to rebuild 7 yrs. of accumulated data when I was told I wouldn't have to. The stuff is on my computer (the windows.old file is over 27GB) but I can't access it without rollback working. It is MS's responsibility to come up with a fix and it's places like this forum that could eventually force them to step up to the plate. If I have to rebuild my system, it won't be in Windows.

 

The easiest method is to simply go back to your last full backup.

 

I think it is Microsoft's fault if he has none. *Sad

 

I am not sure about that. However, even if I said: "Yes, Microsoft is responsible for every single, inappropriate change, which a user may have done in several years and which then breaks a functionaility", even if I said that, it still won't fix your system.

So what is it that you suddenly don't like about Windows 10?
Many of the advertisement features in Windows 10 can be disabled - I do not like adverts myself and I see exactly none. Not a single one.
For the Solitaire game: There are several such games available from the Windows Store, most of them for free. You also can use the Solitaire game, which came with older versions of Windows. The Solitaire app being annoying is no reason to go back.

 

This might help with going back to win 7. https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...s-windows.html

 

If you do decide to start over with a clean install of Win 7:

See here: Download Windows 7 ISOs, Legally and for Free

Also available here: Microsoft DigitalRiver Mirror (Technet)