Windows 8 might be the biggest launch in OS industry and user upgraded their PC fearlessly from whichever version of Windows they were using to Windows 8, either by clean install or making it dual boot. But it’s true that Windows 8 is failed to leave strong remark of their existence and get mixed reactions from major hardware manufacturer and experts around the world.
Some PC users who upgraded to Windows 8 might not happy with their sudden decision and wants to switch back to Windows 7. At the Windows 8 download page, Microsoft says
So, if you decided to go back to Windows 7 from Windows 8, take backup of your important files to make sure that you not loose any files that may get formatted during the reinstalling procedure.
Removing Windows 8 from the Dual Boot PC
If the windows 8 is installed on PC as a separate partition along with Windows 7 (dual-boot), you can easily uninstall it by removing that particular partition. Before that, copy/move any important files from Windows 8 partitions to an external media or Windows 7 folder and follow the steps mentioned below.
Some PC users who upgraded to Windows 8 might not happy with their sudden decision and wants to switch back to Windows 7. At the Windows 8 download page, Microsoft says
If you decide to go back to your previous operating system, you'll need to reinstall it from the recovery or installation media that came with your PC, which is typically DVD media. If you don’t have recovery media, you might be able to create it from a recovery partition on your PC using software provided by your PC manufacturer. Check the support section of your PC manufacturer's website for more information. After you install Windows 8, you won’t be able to use the recovery partition on your PC to go back to your previous version of Windows.
So, if you decided to go back to Windows 7 from Windows 8, take backup of your important files to make sure that you not loose any files that may get formatted during the reinstalling procedure.
If the windows 8 is installed on PC as a separate partition along with Windows 7 (dual-boot), you can easily uninstall it by removing that particular partition. Before that, copy/move any important files from Windows 8 partitions to an external media or Windows 7 folder and follow the steps mentioned below.
- Navigate to Start, Run and type msconfig in the open window. Press Enter.
- Find the 'Boot' tab and select the Windows 8 boot option. Choose 'Delete' and select Windows 7 as your primary boot partition or make it your default OS.
- Close msconfig window.
- You also need to format that partition from the 'Disk Management'. To do that, navigate to control panel, administrative tools, computer management and find disk management from the left hand pane. Right click on it and choose format.
- Reboot your PC.
Now, you will no longer see your Windows 8 or any of its content either. But, if you've overwritten Windows 7 partition with Windows 8, you better get prepare for the long go (see next part of this article).
Un-installing Windows 8, Installed by overwriting Windows 7
This step requires having your windows 7 installation media along with the product key. Prior doing anything, create full backup of your entire hard drive as it may completely wipe your PC.
Just boot using your Windows 7 installation media, typically Windows 7 installation CD/DVD or the bootable USB with Windows 7 on it. Follow the same steps as installing Windows 7 for the first time you did and completely format the Windows 8 partition. This will install a fresh copy of Windows 7 and successfully remove Windows 8 with all of its traces.
However, you always able to reinstall Windows 8 again on your PC without any trouble. This tutorial is for users who don't feel comfortable with the glitches of Windows 8 or get hard time to clearly understand this next generation OS.
Un-installing Windows 8, Installed by overwriting Windows 7
This step requires having your windows 7 installation media along with the product key. Prior doing anything, create full backup of your entire hard drive as it may completely wipe your PC.
Just boot using your Windows 7 installation media, typically Windows 7 installation CD/DVD or the bootable USB with Windows 7 on it. Follow the same steps as installing Windows 7 for the first time you did and completely format the Windows 8 partition. This will install a fresh copy of Windows 7 and successfully remove Windows 8 with all of its traces.
However, you always able to reinstall Windows 8 again on your PC without any trouble. This tutorial is for users who don't feel comfortable with the glitches of Windows 8 or get hard time to clearly understand this next generation OS.