tcands
asked on
downgrade from Windows 10
Are you able without major issues to return you system to original windows 8.1 if you don't like 10. Is it a major pain or easy as pie. I have read reviews that say both
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The process of the rollback takes only a few minutes and is reliable. See it described here:
www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/how-downgrade-windows-10-to-windows-7-8-3615606/
www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/how-downgrade-windows-10-to-windows-7-8-3615606/
I assumed tcands is rolling back to Windows 8 given the answer selected.
The Windows rollback feature may be reliable but I rather revert back to an image of the O.S prior to a the upgrade. It's a much cleaner process. Whenever you do a Windows rollback there are always remnants of the new installation. Between doing a rollback and reimage, there is no comparison. A rollback is a last resort if there isn't a good image file to use. I just can't see why would you want to.
No Wayne, try it.
John, it's the same for all sources.
John, it's the same for all sources.
When you roll Windows back is it a full reimage or just reverting files like when you do a system restore?
No system restore. The windows.old folder is used.
Right on McKnife, "The windows.old folder is used." so I stand on my point. A reimage is cleaner than a rollback.
I didn't say the rollback wasn't reliable. I said it's not as clean and you agreed with me with your last statement.
When you're doing a Windows rollback, you're reverting at the file level whereas when you're reimaging your are restoring at the disk level. Depending on how you made the disk image, you can even restore sector by sector. It's a big difference. Try it and you will see the difference.
I didn't say the rollback wasn't reliable. I said it's not as clean and you agreed with me with your last statement.
When you're doing a Windows rollback, you're reverting at the file level whereas when you're reimaging your are restoring at the disk level. Depending on how you made the disk image, you can even restore sector by sector. It's a big difference. Try it and you will see the difference.
You try that, please and you'll see. Look for remnants. I didn't find any. Maybe read the documentation of the process if available.
No McKnife, I am not going to argue with someone who think file level roll back is as clean as or cleaner than disk level restoration from an image file. It's not scientifically logical.
Hey "peace", ok :)
It's not my intention to tell what is cleaner. MS offers this method, I used it, I looked at the system and could see no remnants, no space eaten, no extra folders, all programs still work. I hoped you would be able to show me what remnants there are and why we should care. In your comment, which you edited, you assumed that I might not be experienced with imaging, which I am. Sure, imaging is something we can rely on, while some automated rollback that is not fully documented might produce (partly) unwanted results. But in my case, I couldn't find any and MS only gives this little warning contained in http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/windows-10-recovery-options
"If you go back to Windows 8.1, some apps that came with Windows, like Mail and People, might not work anymore. To fix them, reinstall them from the Store"
So there seems to be the possibility of wrecking built-in-apps, but I did not see this in my tests. And even if, this would not be "major issues", like the asker is talking about, since we can simply reinstall these small apps.
So I guess the advice should be: if you are familiar with imaging, do that. if not, the built-in rollback is easy, quick and will not produce major issues.
It's not my intention to tell what is cleaner. MS offers this method, I used it, I looked at the system and could see no remnants, no space eaten, no extra folders, all programs still work. I hoped you would be able to show me what remnants there are and why we should care. In your comment, which you edited, you assumed that I might not be experienced with imaging, which I am. Sure, imaging is something we can rely on, while some automated rollback that is not fully documented might produce (partly) unwanted results. But in my case, I couldn't find any and MS only gives this little warning contained in http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/windows-10-recovery-options
"If you go back to Windows 8.1, some apps that came with Windows, like Mail and People, might not work anymore. To fix them, reinstall them from the Store"
So there seems to be the possibility of wrecking built-in-apps, but I did not see this in my tests. And even if, this would not be "major issues", like the asker is talking about, since we can simply reinstall these small apps.
So I guess the advice should be: if you are familiar with imaging, do that. if not, the built-in rollback is easy, quick and will not produce major issues.
Hi McKnife,
A quick Google produced an example to backup my statement. Whether this was an example taken out of context of or not the point was that it's an evidence that rollback remnants are probable to say the least.
"These steps are only necessary if you performed steps A B and C (the trick) before preceding to the Recover / Rollback option as you may still see the remnants of the Windows 10 GUI boot menu, simply click on the Windows 10 option to load your earlier / original version of Windows."
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki/insider_wintp-insider_install/how-to-recover-a-previous-builds-or-your-original/76b6750c-5bb2-40bc-a7e3-f03cec62338b
More importantly speaking from my experience, I don't recommend anyone to rely on Windows rollback to always work. There have been a few cases with Windows 7/8 upgrade rollback failing and Windows 10 is too new for me to bet the farm on.
I rather take the steps to ensure I have a good image file prior to an O.S upgrade than having to spend many hours installing Windows and applications from scratch.
Peace,
Wayne
A quick Google produced an example to backup my statement. Whether this was an example taken out of context of or not the point was that it's an evidence that rollback remnants are probable to say the least.
"These steps are only necessary if you performed steps A B and C (the trick) before preceding to the Recover / Rollback option as you may still see the remnants of the Windows 10 GUI boot menu, simply click on the Windows 10 option to load your earlier / original version of Windows."
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki/insider_wintp-insider_install/how-to-recover-a-previous-builds-or-your-original/76b6750c-5bb2-40bc-a7e3-f03cec62338b
More importantly speaking from my experience, I don't recommend anyone to rely on Windows rollback to always work. There have been a few cases with Windows 7/8 upgrade rollback failing and Windows 10 is too new for me to bet the farm on.
I rather take the steps to ensure I have a good image file prior to an O.S upgrade than having to spend many hours installing Windows and applications from scratch.
Peace,
Wayne
The option to rollback from Windows 10 to previous version (7, 8, 8.1) is offered for 30 days only. After that I presume to old Windows files are deleted permanently to save space.
But I agree with previous comments, a well working image is quicker and absolutely reliable to not leave a trace.
Andreas
But I agree with previous comments, a well working image is quicker and absolutely reliable to not leave a trace.
Andreas
If the upgrade went well and Windows 10 is working, stay with it. It is an evolution of Windows 8 and works well (I have been using it for 6 months). So no real need to roll back.