After several failed attempts to update from Windows 7 to Windows 10, I resorted to a clean install of Windows 10, which worked OK and I was able to get it running. I now find my PC is not compatible with Windows 10 Gen 2 Core i and need to go back to Windows 7 to assure stability. I have an installation disc for 7, and launched the installer. It appeared to complete everything, but then failed with a message "Installation was not successful" and provided no options other than to verify my system was compatible with Windows 7 it is, was running on it fine.
I then attempted to boot directly off the Windows 7 installation disc, but Windows 10 will not allow this. How do I perform a clean install of Windows 7 from the disc and format the disc to remove all the Windows 10 residue?
Was this reply helpful? Yes No. Sorry this didn't help. Thanks for your feedback. Do Not boot Windows 10 first and then insert the Windows 7 disc and try to install because that won't work. Machine is a Lenovo M91p.
I loaded the Windows 7 disc, re-booted, then interrupted the boot sequence by hitting F I then selected the option of booting from the DVD drive. The boot sequence started, and it obviously read from the disc, but booted from Windows 10, not from the bootable disc. I repeated this about 3 times before concluding I could not boot from the Windows 7 disc with Windows 10 installed. The installer ran fine, which was encouraging, but after running through the entire process, booted up to the error "installation was not successful".
I then repeated the Windows 7 installer launch, only this time I right-clicked and selected "Run as administrator". I don't know if it was the Reset or the Run as Administrator, but the installation finally completed and Windows 7 is running again.
Very frustrating and made no sense that I could not boot off the Windows 7 installation disc with Windows 10 installed. It is even more frustrating to find that an Intel Core i5 processor is not supported by Windows Maybe this will get resolved and I can try again some day. Threats include any threat of suicide, violence, or harm to another.
Any content of an adult theme or inappropriate to a community web site. Any image, link, or discussion of nudity. Any behavior that is insulting, rude, vulgar, desecrating, or showing disrespect. Finally delete unwanted files from each User folder. For all browsers other than IE which stores Favorites in the User folder of that name, export your bookmarks to Documents now. Most browsers will also let you set up a sync to store your browser settings, Favorites and history in a Google account, Firefox Sync, or similar:.
Import or export bookmarks - Chrome Help. Sync Chrome data across devices. How do I set up Sync on my computer? If your email is stored on computer, Google how to back up specific mail and account settings to get solutions like How do I import and export email, contacts, and calendars with Windows Live Mail? De-authorize I-Tunes. You can back up your Sticky Notes to keep the one currently on your desktop following Sticky Notes - Backup and Restore.
Then back up your files externally by dragging or copying your named User account or active User folders to another hard drive, external drive, flash stick or disk. Install and use the OneDrive app to drag User folders into OneDrive folder, monitor uploading progress by clicking Cloud icon in System Tray on bottom right end of taskbar.
Once files are all uploaded, rightclick the Cloud Icon again to choose Settings and Unlink so that any accidental file deletions are not deleted in the Cloud. Step 7 will pick up with reinstalling OneDrive to recover your files.
You can Run and print an audit of hardware and software including installed Product Keys using Belarc Advisor. This audit assures you won't lose any paid software keys like Office.
This SLP batch key cannot be used for reinstall. If you have a Recovery partition it may not run after clean reinstall. You may want to make your Recovery Disks so you have a path back to factory condition, following the steps given in your PC's setup literature or in the Manual located on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer.
You can wait until afterward to see if Recovery or Diagnostics Tools partitions will run from boot to decide if you want to delete those partitions and recover the space into C or elsewhere using Step 3 here.
This information may be provided for your brand PC in the Special Notes at the end of this tutorial. Make sure you get the characters correct as this is a main cause of activation failure.
But put the key in a safe place so you have it for the life of the PC, which may outlast the sticker's readability. The COA sticker looks like this:. Gather your program installers. For those lacking disks, you may find them on the program's Support Downloads webpage. Favorite pre-installed apps may be found on the Downloads webpage for your model computer or manufacturer-provided Apps Disk. Others may be found by googling.
Some pre-installed apps may not be available for clean reinstall - more about this for your brand PC in the Special Notes at end. You can also Try Office for free to trial the new subscription Office suite fully integrated into the cloud. Many of the favorite apps needed and desired for reinstall are available in the terrific app Ninite - Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once. This makes a custom installer you can save which keeps all app installers updated within.
Just in case, save in advance your Wireless or Ethernet LAN wired driver in your backup so if it isn't provided during install you can install it to get online quickly to install all Important and Optional Windows Updates - which will also provide most drivers. Unplug all other HD's and peripherals except ethernet cable to increase chances of it starting up connected after install.
If not prompted for wireless key during install it's likely you'll need to install the wireless driver immediately after getting to the desktop, or if ethernet LAN is working wait for wireless driver to come in via Windows Update.
If you're prompted for drivers for any other reason during install it almost always means a bad installer, so make sure ISO download completed and create another one. We can help troubleshoot UEFI problems as we do here every day. Immediately after install check bottom right System Tray network icon to connect to your network if necessary. Why can't I connect to a network? I suggest using a lightweight free Antivirus like Microsoft Security Essentials or the more aggressive Panda Cloud which perform well with the Windows 7 Firewall.
Next enable hardware driver auto-updating , open Windows Update to Check for Updates, select all Important and Optional Updates except Bing, unless you prefer it to install. After requested reboots, go back again to Check for Updates until there are no more.
These Updates deliver drivers, critical system, hardware and security patches. I would accept them all to be safest, keep Updates set to Automatic and regularly check for Optional to install because often needed Updates are queued there.
If Updates stall or balk check your Start menu's Shutdown button for a "! Perform a Shutdown to install them and then keep an eye on the Shutdown button if further rounds of Updates stall to clear them there first before proceeding to again Check for Updates.
Most Update jams can be resolved by several reboots - real problems are one in a million. Now Check for Updates and they should appear. Install all Important and Optional, with necessary Restarts. Any drivers still missing in Device Manager after all Important and Optional Updates are installed can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for the model PC or device, along with other OEM software which you can wait to see if you need.
I would not replace any drivers given by the installer or Windows Update unless performance problems point to that specific driver. We can help you troubleshoot these issues. If this fails check the device maker's Support Downloads webpage to let it scan for the needed download to install. Unknown Devices are often card reader drivers posted on the model's Support Downloads webpage along with other drivers which may be revealed by a function still missing on the PC such as laptop function keys or keyboard lighting, or can be traced using Device Manager - Finding Unknown Devices - Windows 7 Help Forums Co-processor, SM Bus controller, USB and Storage controllers are often elements of the chipset.
You can also trace any missing driver using Hardware Identification. I would not re-import any of the OEM software until you run for awhile to know for sure you need it. There may be patches on the PC's Support Downloads webpage needed to improve performance so browse them to be aware what's available as you test performance to decide if they're needed.
But keep in mind re-installing OEM bloatware besides that which is absolutely needed for good performance or a specific function you need defeats the purpose of a Clean Reinstall. Install programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes after each. You can roll back bad effects of a Program install or Update s by uninstalling it or using System Restore. Install your preferred Reader and Flash Player declining the Optional offer.
I no longer recommend installing Java unless you know you need it or are prompted to install it to run a program, as it is an infection path.
No video, sound or other driver software needs to start with Windows 7 unless you know you need special settings on these. If you have any questions about a listing, Google it to learn what it does or ask us.
However I would not install any Google programs which are relentless spyware. Only use the stable Google search box in your browser and don't stay signed into any Google web apps. Avoid spyware tracking cookies placing annoying interest ads by periodically Opting Out of Network Advertising.
This will greatly relieve the banner ads which track your shopping habits and web searches. The most important thing you can do to avoid spyware creeping in is to watch your program installs like a hawk at every step, because freeware authors have found ingenious ways to sneak in spyware with tricky check box choices - even in the License Agreement. Keep an eye also on your Browser Add-Ons or Extensions to only allow the ones you know you want or are required to make a page display correctly, including Flash, Shockwave, WMP or Quicktime plug-in, a reader, Silverlight.
Also under Add-Ons monitor Search services to remove any but Google in the stable browser search box, tick the box to disallow any others to replace it.
Strange search service are often spyware. If you're prone to infection add the inexpensive paid real-time protection for Malwarebytes to run alongside a lightweight recommended AV, otherwise use its excellent free scanner as needed. Before copying your files into the new install, now would be a good time to download, install declining trial , update and run a scan on them with Malwarebytes to make sure no infection is being re-imported.
To copy your files into the new install, open the storage folder, open each User folder Documents, Pictures, etc. Next from the Organize tab choose Select All, drag the group to the corresponding folder on Explorer bar at left. Wait until the bar stops unfolding and hypertext confirms the precise copy location before releasing the left click. If this method makes you nervous, right click on the Select All file group to Copy, then open the corresponding target user folder, in an empty space right click to Paste.
Do not copy hidden AppData folders from User Accounts as these are a corruption path- another reason not to use file transfer apps which can also lose files. If you're using a separate data partition copy your User folders to it, then you can either move the new install's active User folders location to there following User Folders - Change Default Location , or right click each to link it to the related Library - Include a Folder then set it as default for that Library - Set Save Folder - Windows 7 Help Forums.
Keep the empty C User folder in each library so you can easily see if something lands there and simply drag it to the linked User folder. If you move the User folders use another Backup Imaging app like free Macrium Reflect as the built-in one will want to include the data drive which now holds System files.
A simple free method is here to Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with Onedrive - Windows 7 Help Forums that shows how to move your User folders into OneDrive folder on C or data partition for instant backup to the cloud and simultaneous synching across all of your devices using this method.
Copy Quickbooks and other Program data into it's default folder location. It will always work as long as you install the correct version and input the key accurately which is a frequent stumbling block - taking a well-lighted phone pic of COA sticker key to enlarge may help, or use a magnifying glass. You should be offered to stay on the line to speak with an agent if the automated system fails to Activate Windows 7 by Phone.
Another method is to open a Command Prompt, type slui 4, press Enter and follow prompts. If it fails stay on the line to speak with an agent. You can easily configure and share files between PC's on the same network using Homegroup - Create. On my installs users are most impressed by the spectacular beauty of the collected national editions' Windows 7 Backgrounds slideshow. With gadgets no longer being supported due to supposed risk of infection we've never seen, what works better now for millions who love them is to install v.
It works the same except you'll need to hide the Sidebar. The MSN weather gadget similar to Win7's popular weather gadget can be easily installed to open from the same gadget pack. Type "Defrag" into Start Search box to run a Windows defrag and set its schedule to your liking.
Never defrag an SSD!
