Windows 7 to Windows 8 change

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Hi,
I’ve just bought a new laptop and it was supplied with both Windows 7 Pro 64 bit and Windows 8 (Version ??)

I chose to install Windows 7 but I would now prefer to use Windows 8.
Can anyone advise me how to get back to the ‘option’ where I can choose which OS to install?

I’m not concerned about losing my installed programs or data files, since I have all my original program disks and my data files are all backed up on an external drive.
Thanks

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Unless you have a copy of the original hard disk image you are probably stuck with Win 7.
Have you tried the laptop support site?

cheers, Paul

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If you’re lucky, you may have a restore partition that includes both Windows 7 and Windows 8. Check your documentation for the instructions to “Restore to Factory image” or similar. Otherwise, go to your vendor’s website as Paul suggested and look for a Contact Us page.

Jerry

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Thanks for your replies – they are truly appreciated …

I have an image of my C: drive on and external USB drive,which was created shortly after I installed Windows 7 and some of my applications. I’m not sure if this would allow me to get back to make the choice of Win7 or Win 8…..

When I go the Disk Management facility, I can see three hidden partitions :
1. Healthy (Recovery Partition) Capacity 400MB
2. Healthy (EFI System Partition) Capacity 300MB
3. Healthy (Recovery Partition) Capacity 25.48 GB

Would any of these partitions help ???

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I would mirror Jerry’s post: Look through your documentation for info on whether that 25GB partition
contains a Windows 8 installation.

1st step would be to employ a 3rd party partitioning app that will allow you to (look only) at files on a hidden partition.
If a Windows 8 installation setup is present, then find out how to go about installing it as your primary OS.
You will most likely have to go to the manufacturer’s site for such information.

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It is likely that the 25GB partition contains data to revert to the original new configuration, but I would confirm with the manufacturer.

cheers, Paul

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Thanks for your replies – much appreciated.

I tried to make the 25GB partition visible in ‘My Computer’ by assigning it a drive letter, using the facility in the Disk Management facility. However, I was unable to do so, since there is no Right Click context menu available when that partition is selected. This restriction also applied to the other hidden partitions. I wanted to do this so that I could examine the content of the hidden partition.

As advised, I have contacted my supplier and I’m waiting for their reply…….

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Hi there

What laptop is it? Different manufacturers use different ways of setting up their machines. I am quite sure that using a simple combination of keys when you boot will restore that option of win7 / Win 8…..

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Hi Photorer,
Thanks for your reply. The laptop is an Acer TravelMate P253 Core i5 8GB 500GB Windows 7 Pro / Windows 8 Pro

Still no reply from the supplier……

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Quick Google Search for your laptop type and restore yielded this YouTubeVideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0HUfMm5d0w

If the recovery partition does not have Win8 on it, then you might need to get the Restore disks:
https://ez93.com/en/AcerTravelMateP253E/

Good luck!

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I would recommend a product called Mailstore Home (latest version 8.2.0.9316). This is an excellent product and backsup not only Outlook messages but works for other e-mail clients as well and runs across mutiple platforms. Give it a try, it’s free. I have been using it for years. Never lost a message.

Good luck, Ron

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Thanks for these links – I’ll certainly have a look and see if I’m offered the choice once I restore……

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Don’t be shy about contacting the manufacturer for help. Many laptops have a ‘free’ initial support period. Could save you a heap of further head scratching.

Asus N53SM & N53SN 64-bit laptops (Win7 Pro & Win10 Pro 64-bit multiboots), venerable HP Pavilion t760 32-bit desktop (XP & Win7 Pro multiboot), Oracle VirtualBox VM's: XP & Win7 32-bit, XP Mode, aged Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 2019s (8" & 10.1"), Blu-ray burners, digital cameras, ext. HDDs (latest 5TB!), AnyDVD, Easeus ToDo Backup Home, Waterfox, more. Me: Aussie card-carrying Windows geek.

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Thanks for ALL your replies and suggestions – they are truly appreciated This is a great forum….. !!

Problem solved by restoring to Factory settings giving me the choice of Win 7/8

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