📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses concerns about upgrading or reverting from Windows 8.1 to Windows 7, with the original poster seeking advice on backing up a large amount of data (~200 GB) before changing OS. Several users recommend simple data copying to an external drive as a safe backup method, emphasizing caution with third-party backup programs. The overall sentiment suggests prioritizing direct copying for safety and expressing mixed opinions on Windows 8.1's UI and performance.
Cyphx03

Cyphx03

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So, I used to have Windows 7, and it was great, but to me, Windows 8.1 is crap. I think I finally was able to figure out the whole process of removing Windows 8.1 from my system and installing Windows 7. However, I did a lot of things on Windows 8.1 and don't want to lose my data. Does anyone know of a program that I can use to backup my all of my data and retrieve it later.? It is a lot of data, and its probably over 200 GB.
 

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whs
The easiest would be to just copy the user files to an external disk. With a USB3 disk that will be pretty fast but even with a USB2 disk you can let it run in the background.

I would not recommend any fancy program because there you never know what is happening and the data may later be inaccessible.
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whs

whs

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#2
The easiest would be to just copy the user files to an external disk. With a USB3 disk that will be pretty fast but even with a USB2 disk you can let it run in the background.

I would not recommend any fancy program because there you never know what is happening and the data may later be inaccessible.
 

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Cyphx03

Cyphx03

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whs said:
The easiest would be to just copy the user files to an external disk. With a USB3 disk that will be pretty fast but even with a USB2 disk you can let it run in the background.

I would not recommend any fancy program because there you never know what is happening and the data may later be inaccessible.
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I would do that, but like I said, it is a LOT of data. It's too late now anyway, because I already removed Windows 8.1 Pro and installed Windows 7 Ultimate. Thanks anyway, though.
 

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Mike

Mike

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#4
You could have moved all important documents and data to a separate drive or partition. Granted this is not a cheap option, and you are going to, in many ways, compromise your situation when it comes to upgrading the operating system. Sorry you are having these issues. I have often recommended Start8 and ModernMix to people who do not like the "Modern UI" (giant unending scrolling full-screen interface for touch screens). Since then, I have not left my desktop, happily enough. Not literally speaking of course. I have left the computer, on occasion, to return to the physical universe.
 

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whs

whs

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#5
Does that mean that you lost all your data.
 

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MikeHawthorne

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#6
For what it's worth now, I always back up my data, NOT using any backup software.

It's much safer just to copy it to an external hard drive, and have the ability to copy it back when ever you want to, one or a lot of files at a time.

This way you don't have to depend on 3rd party software to do it.

I do you backup software to make a disk image of my operating system drive.
 

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iftieaq

iftieaq

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#7
I used windows xp,7, 8 and 8.1 . Windows 8 GUI is really awesome but performance windows 8 still have too many bugs.
 

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