We explain your options if you wish to uninstall Windows 8 after making the upgrade or dual-booting.
You can easily uninstall a Windows 8 partition, but if you upgraded to Windows 8 you'll need to do a clean install
Windows 8 is set to launch on October 26 and many PC, tablet and laptop users have already installed the Consumer Preview or the Release Preview. But Windows 8 is a big change from Windows 7, and won't be for everyone: particularly those who wish to continue using only mouse and keyboard.
What happens if you've installed Windows 8, but want to go back to Windows 7, or even Windows XP (we're assuming no-one is keen on returning to Vista)? Here we explain your options if you wish to uninstall Windows 8, in a variety of circumstances.
Before we start it is worth pointing out that Microsoft makes it very clear that rolling back a Windows 8 installation is not a simple task. The upgrade to Windows 8 is made fantastically easy, but the pay-off is that uninstalling takes some doing.
On the download page for the Windows 8 Release Preview 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."
And although Microsoft hasn't explicitly said so, we expect that the situation will be the same with the final release of Windows 8.
So if you are considering overwriting your Windows 7 install just to try Windows 8, think carefully. If in doubt, install Windows 8 alongside your current operating system, or not at all. And whatever else you do, back up everything on your PC before you make the move. You'll never regret backing up.
For more on the changes in Windows 8 and how to use them visit Windows 8 Advisor. For detailed advice on installing Windows 8 Release Preview, read our article: How to install Windows 8.
Delete Windows 8 from a second drive partition
Congratulations if you took notice of this warning, and created a second partition in order to install Windows 8 on that partition. This dualboot option means your original installation of Windows 7 or XP remains on the primary drive and you can play at using Windows 8 without committing. If that is the case it is pretty easy to uninstall Windows 8 while retaining your old operating system and data. (For more, see: How to dual boot Windows 8.)
First of all, back up your entire PC (see: How to back up your PC and laptop). Be especially careful to copy off any files and folders that you need to keep, and any that are in your Windows 8 partition.
Once you are done boot into the OS you want to keep - we're assuming it is Windows 7. Go to Start, Run, msconfig (or search 'msconfig' in the search bar, and click the .exe that appears). Navigate to the Boot tab, and highlight the Windows 8 boot option. Click 'Delete'. Then highlight the Windows 7 boot option. Click 'Set As Default'. You can now close msconfig.
Now you have deleted Windows 8 from your PC's Boot process, you can delete the Windows 8 data. Go to Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management. Find 'Disk Management' in the lefthand pane, and click it.
Find the partition you created for the Windows 8 install. Right-click on it and select 'Delete Volume'. Once this is done, if you right-click on the empty volume and select 'Shrink Volume'. Close the module, and reboot the system. Your Windows 8 partition is now no more.
Uninstall Windows 8 if you installed it over Windows 7
If you installed Windows 8 after formatting or deleting your Windows 7 installation, the only way to go back is to wipe over the Windows 8 install. You need to do a clean install of Windows 7, which will wipe your PC. So you will need Windows 7 installation media (and a product key). And you need to back up all your files to a separate drive. Your PC will be wiped clean in the move.
Boot using the Windows 7 DVD or USB drive. Then format the Windows 8 partition, and install your copy of Windows.
Read our How to install Windows 7 from a USB flash drive for detailed instructions on creating, booting from and installing an OS from a Windows 7 USB stick.
Comments
capt said: face it win 8 sucksit was designed for touch devices especially mobile onesnot for desktop or even laptop computersand if you want to be respected as an editor defend your statements by stating facts and not by slinging back insults
slimjadey said: I have windows 8 installed on a secondary drive on my computer I followed the above instructions for deleting it off a partitioned drive to get it off because I want to use the drive for something else and the stupid thing just wont get off my hard drive its like a virus Windows wont let me format the drive Ive deleted it from the boot thingy I just dont know what else to do Im tearing my hair out over it Windows 8 is ok I say this because although not my cup of tea I can see how others may like it when its working but it becomes a virus when you want it gone
zayed al suwaidi said: Windows 8 is better then Windows 7 Believe me
David Morgan said: Windows 8 is not all that bad Every time something new comes out the critics come out as well Soon enough the majority will be turned toward liking the new product Vista being an exception I upgraded both of my computers to Windows 8 I strongly recommend keeping 8 Its almost the same as 7 except the Start Menu is easier to organize
raj said: i want to install windows xp professional
Renegade said: I just purchased a couple of Windows 8 laptops one personal and one at work I hate both systems I sold my personal one but I have to re-install windows 7 or XP at the other oneI really dislike this OS
Saurabh Mukhekar said: Super easy way to uninstall windows 8httpbitlyHQndg9
Ceciliadaniels5 said: i got 3 hard drives in an can not get this window 8 off Im want to go back to my old window 7 but is still stuck
S Biggs409 said: i find I canot get on with window8 so if possible I would like to return to window 7
Fadehook said: Instead of installing 8 in a seperated partition I overwrote windows 7 what a mistake8 is effecting all of my files and folder access Removal of 8is my only alternitive to try and salvage my PC BTW 8 is all but impossible to uninstall what a waist of time and money for this POS
Sumi Allen said: Im on a good laptop Ive been using a personal computer since I was a toddler I HATE Windows 8 Its memory dumps are as fun as Vistas blue screen of death I got a new laptop Of course one of my parents is in IT so he decided to impose on my life with this horrid OS like he did with Vista-why Because were family Im rather ticked that I have to go through the trouble of reinstalling 7 which I had few problems with Im ready to stab somebody with an icepick for this disastrous imposition esp overenthusiastic narcissistic moody hyperreactive IT people who have to shove these things in my face without regard of what I have on here and what I need it for Ive got a lot of valuable things on here and they think its like the next angry birds game where Game Over can be the next game that takes 20 seconds to upload when your business is here Ive just started storing things in clouds because I dont trust hardware anymore Was not impressed with HP anything was not impressed with this stuff When they test this THEN its okay to recommend it esp if peoples lives are stored on this thing Sorry I had to Trying to outline notes from a 700 page book and this garbage OS crashes Even after I rebooted The MSFT guys are big jerks about it too Ive also come to the point where Im just buying Korean and Japanese tech and letting THEM fix it Im not in as much concerned about the cost but I really need MY system to work without the bs
Naveed Ahmed said: I have a problem after my installation of windows 8 It doesnt bootload correctlyWhen I power on my laptop just after the windows 8 logo a blank black screen appears and stays there after which I have to put my computer on sleep standby mode and only after again powering it on after this step windows starts normallyI tried to repair windows from the Change PC Settings but it asks for the installation media saying that some files are missing But I have no installation media to insert as I installed it from a downloaded iso image and this dialog has no option to choose a custom location for the installation mediaI am very upset with the new version of Windows and I feel like reverting back to my old version of Windows because I cant always keep starting my computer twice in order to start windows It simply frustrates you
Ashhar Raza said: I love the email app more than anything
Sunshine4fotever said: I truley hate win 8 its giving me a headache i need win 7 in my life help me
LGreist said: I have had the unfortunate need to purchase a new laptop after the launch of Windows 8 My opinion of Windows 8 is that is sucks big giant donkey balls I have found it very difficult to navigate my PC with Windows 8 I am not a computer guru but I am also not computer illiterate I will be removing Windows 8 as soon as I am able and putting Windows 7 on my new PC
Chris Howard said: Our new Acer came with Windows 8 pre-installed and its AWFULWe desperately want to get shot of it Can we buy Win7 or even Vista and install that instead Anything will be preferable to the ridiculously unfriendly and awkward Windows 8
Linda_suel said: I HATE WINDOWS 8
Marg2 Wilkinson said: Sorry for typopeople who like windows 8 are people who like fanciness NOT practical FUNCTIONALITY No business in its right mind would willingly go to Windows 8 Surely desktop and laptop users doing real work should have been considered
Marg2 Wilkinson said: people who like windows 8 are people who like fanciness NOT practiacal FUNCTIONALITY No business in its right mind wil willingly goto Windows 7 Surely desktop and laptop users doing real work should have been considered
TheRyder said: I want to remove Windows 8 and go back to 7 I guess if you hev and like a touch screen it could do but what bugs me most is Microsoft customer service You cant get a hold of them and it is hard to find where to contact them If Apple was less expensive I would definetly go for it their customer service is very good