Windows 10: Windows 10 Free Update: Format, Windows 7 and partitions

• Does the free Windows 10 update format my whole HDD if I choose to?
  • If I choose to format, will I be able to go back to Windows 7?
    
    • Do I need to download a Window 7 ISO file?
• Do I need my OEM and Recovery partitions? I did not make a removable backup for Recovery partitions.

:)

 

Can I format my old Win7 partition in a Win7, Win10 dual boot configuration?

Hello all,

I have a question. I have a Windows 7 and Windows 10 dual boot setup (The Windows 10 was a free upgrade from Windows 8). Currently Windows 7 is installed on partition (1) and Windows 10 on partition (2). Can I format my windows 7 partition and still boot
correctly to Windows 10 on the second partition? My concern is that originally Windows 7 was drive C:\ on the first partition and I don't know if there are some files that I can't delete to be able to boot. I'd love to be able to recover this disk space.
Any insights or instructions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jay

 

Hard Drive "C" 250 GB Partition of 2 TB Hard Drive

Hi Channesha,

Welcome to Microsoft Community. I will surely help you.

I suggest you to refer the following article and check if it helps to remove the partition properly.

Can I repartition my hard disk?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows/repartition-hard-disk#1TC=windows-7

Note: Applies to Windows 10.

Refer the following article for additional information.

Create and format a hard disk partition

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...n#create-format-hard-disk-partition=windows-7


Note: Applies to Windows 10.

Hope this information helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of the issue so that we can assist you further.

 

Does the free Windows 10 update format my whole HDD if I choose to?

Not initially, it has to be an in place upgrade of your current operating system first. Then after verifying that you have an activated Windows 10 upgrade, you can wipe your hard drive and do a clean install of Windows 10.

If I choose to format, will I be able to go back to Windows 7?

You won't be able to revert back to Windows 7. But you will be able to reinstall Windows 7 from Windows 7 install media.

Do I need to download a Window 7 ISO file?

I'm just going to say yes. If you want to go back to Windows 7 after formatting your hard drive, you will. And it is very good to have anyway.

Do I need my OEM and Recovery partitions? I did not make a removable backup for Recovery partitions.

If you want to have any chance of going back to the factory Windows 7, you will need to keep them. If you want to be able to just go back to plain, vanilla Windows 7 then you will need the Windows 7 ISO instead. Also, don't forget to record your Windows 7 product key.

 

I would urge you to create an image backup to an external USB hard drive using Macrium Reflect Free before upgrading to Windows 10. That way you can always go back to Windows 7 if the need arises. Then you would not need the OEM and Recovery partitions as they would be restored when you restored the backup image.

Just my $.02 worth.