Issue 11.16
We have known for some time that you can go back to Windows 7 from Windows 10. The problem is that it is usually very expensive and time consuming. You have to back up all your files, wipe the hard drive, re-install Windows 7, pay well over $100 for the license key (if you don’t already have one), reinstall all the drivers and software (if you have the disks and install keys) and then restore your files from the backup. For many it is just too much so they just stay with Windows 10 whether they like it or not.
One of my clients inadvertently allowed Windows 10 to install on her Windows 7 computer and was distraught. She is 92 years old and uses her computer to stay in touch with her family and do genealogy. She felt she would have to give all that up because she felt she could not learn this new and complicated system of computing. I told her I would see what I could do. After doing some research I found out something I had never heard about.
Microsoft has a little known and unadvertised process that you can do to reverse upgrading from Windows 7 under certain and limited conditions. You can do it from Windows 8 as well, but most people like Windows 10 much better than 8. The conditions are that it must be an upgrade and not a “clean” install (which completely wipes your drive). Your computer also must still have the backup of your old Windows install still present on your hard drive. If it exists it will be on your hard drive as windows.old. 30 days after you upgrade, this file is automatically deleted and the option of reversing the upgrade is gone. In some cases (especially when hard drive space is limited) it is deleted immediately after the upgrade so check to see if it still exists.
The process is a little bit complicated and you may want your computer technician to do it for you, but I will share the process here for those that are brave enough to try on their own. Realize that you should do a complete backup of your information in case the process fails and leaves you unable to boot into either Windows 7 or 10.
Here are the steps to revert to Windows 7
- Check to see if the windows.old file exists on your hard drive
- Click the Start button
- Click “Settings”
- Click “Update and Security”
- Look for the option to reverse the upgrade or to recover or return to Windows 7 and click on it.
- Follow the prompts from there.
If this approach does not work, you may have to do it the hard and expensive way or have your tech do it for you.
If you have not upgraded but keep getting pestered by Microsoft to do the upgrade, you can get rid of the annoying popups and the little Windows 10 symbol at the bottom right of your screen. The process requires that you know how to uninstall updates through the control panel. The update you want to get rid of is #3035583 and you may have to do it twice. In any case, make sure you always have a backup of anything important.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 33 years, 26 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently works as a computer consultant. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.