Win 10 corrupts my windows 7

[SirHawkins]

Windows 10 has crashed my windows 7. It downloaded it self, and I can't get my computer to start Windows. It is in a loop. I don't have a start up disk. Never came with one. Every thing was loaded pre. Hard drive is locked. C is now x. Won't let me save files on USB stick or even on disk. Don't want to lose what I have on there. Someone please help..

[foxidrive]

There are live cdrom operating systems, you can make a cd and boot the cdrom in your computer - and save your data to usb.

Linux has GUI file managers that are similar to Windows - the drive names are different but you can see which is which by the files on the drive.

Linux Mint is one, Ubuntu, there are dozens.

[Allan]

First of all, Windows 10 CANNOT and DID NOT download itself. Second, please explain IN DETAIL exactly what happened.

[SirHawkins]

I don't care how this got on my computer. I just want to know how to get my windows 7 back. Thank you

[patio]

Calm down...we are all Volunteers here and your attitude isn't appreciated...

See Here...

[Allan]

Again, please explain in detail EXACTLY what happened and what the current status of your system is.  For example:

1) EXACTLY what led up to the problem you are now having?

2) What happens when you attempt to boot?

The more information you provide us, the better our chances of being able to help you.

[BC_Programmer]

First of all, Windows 10 CANNOT and DID NOT download itself.

Windows 10 can and does get automatically downloaded and installed, unless additional actions are taken to prevent it from occurring.

When KB3035583 is installed, (the one that adds the Get Windows 10 nag prompt) WIndows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 Will download Windows 10 install files automatically in the background through BITS. (the background Intelligent Transfer Service). BITS checks for some files KB3035583 creates, and if present will attempt to download the Windows 10 installation files. This takes place regardless of what answers/interaction took place with the Get Windows 10 App.

Further, An update to Windows Update itself was made such that Windows Update will look for those install files downloaded by BITS. For some time it would add "Upgrade to Windows 10 Home" or "Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro" as an optional update if the install files were found. This has since been reclassified as a "recommended" update. This means that any user that uses the recommended option of Automatic updates will have Windows 10 automatically download as well as have it's installation started. Microsoft has also released a steady stream of patches to the "Windows Update" tool itself, these patches are designed to unhide KB3035583 if the user has accidentally gone in and made it hidden, since obviously nobody would ever do that intentionally.

The installation process is itself hands-free. What happens is a window appears saying "Your Windows 10 Upgrade is ready" and in addition to the usual babble about how it makes you do your work faster, it states that Windows 10 will be installed in:" and a timeout. This can be cancelled (Postponed) at which point it will appear later. If there is nobody at the computer when this occurs, the timeout will expire, and Windows 10 *will* be installed automatically.

In fact, the very problem the OP is describing has been reported quite a number of times. Windows systems where users have gone with the Microsoft-recommended option of automatic updates will often find that not only has their system been "upgraded" to Windows 10, but it doesn't even boot properly anymore. There are many cases of boot loops or otherwise unbootable systems after this automatic upgrade process.

Unfortunately while the Windows 10 upgrade allows rolling back within 30 days, that is only a viable option if the system is not booting, which is not the case in some cases. The worst part is there is no proper fix for this problem to get from the broken Windows installation to either a working Windows 10 (or the previous version) install; it requires either offline adjustments to the registry via another PC editing the hive files directly, or a full Windows reinstall to resolve the issue. Microsoft has not yet provided any proper resolution to customers affected by KB3081424, which is one of the components that gets installed during an upgrade which seems to have the potential to make the OS unbootable.

[Allan]

Sorry - my apology. I was under the impression the user had to agree to the update before anything would happen.

[foxidrive]

A good description BC_Programmer,

I'm not sure if the line in blue is right though - it would really put the cat amongst the pigeons if MS downloaded an OS update to someone that didn't actually reserve a copy. 

I believe, at least initially but MS have changed stuff, that the KB3035583 is only installed if someone reserves a copy of Win 10.

But this irresponsible behaviour from MS that you described, certainly seems to have trashed the OP's computer.

When KB3035583 is installed, (the one that adds the Get Windows 10 nag prompt) WIndows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 Will download Windows 10 install files automatically in the background through BITS. (the background Intelligent Transfer Service). BITS checks for some files KB3035583 creates, and if present will attempt to download the Windows 10 installation files. This takes place regardless of what answers/interaction took place with the Get Windows 10 App.

[BC_Programmer]

I believe, at least initially but MS have changed stuff, that the KB3035583 is only installed if someone reserves a copy of Win 10.

KB3035583 contains the component that allowed users to reserve Win10 in the first place, and it initiates the BITS download if you either reserve a copy or if Automatic Updates are turned on. (BITS is basically part of the Update framework so that option effectively makes it automatic too) In Microsoft's own words, "For individuals who have chosen to receive automatic updates through Windows Update, we help upgradable devices get ready for Windows 10 by downloading the files they’ll need if they decide to upgrade."

[Allan]

Okay, so let's go back to my original statement. If I'm reading the above posts correctly, the user must - in one fashion or another - agree to the upgrade. Is that not what you are saying?

[patio]

Yes...the User HAS to sign up to reserve their update to Win 10...

[Allan]

Thanks patio, that's what I originally thought.

[foxidrive]

I just want to know how to get my windows 7 back.

Is it a notebook computer?

A pre-installed Windows is often also stored on the hard drive in a recovery partition, so when you start the notebook you can press a hotkey have Windows reloaded freshly on the hard drive.  A problem may exist that Windows 10 has hijacked the boot sector and will need some fiddling, just so you know.

Did you understand my post with the Live CDROM?
You boot off a cdrom and that allows you to access your files on the hard drive.  It doesn't use Windows on the hard drive.

[foxidrive]

But this irresponsible behaviour from MS that you described

Just to be clear, I'd read this same behaviour elsewhere in reports and which is why I refer to it as irresponsible.  They are saying that it installs itself... 


I've read though that it presents a EULA, and you can elect not to accept it and it will bugger off.  Microsoft has always used a EULA in the past, but I haven't seen that confirmed.