How to restore 8.1 from windowsOld.wim file

I installed Win10 on my base PC and no issues, but now it seems I've bricked my Samsung Slate 7 tablet(I5 64GB storage) during the upgrade to Win 10 on this one. The tablet cycles "restoring your previous version of windows" and reboots but never completes anything. I see a WindowsOld.wim file but how can I use this to restore back to windows 8.1 manually? I've tried everything else, and I don't have my install key handy (different location) so would prefer not to do a clean install at this point.

Any ideas?

Ztruker said:

I have not found anywhere that stated a restore to 8.1 from Windows.old actually worked. Found lots of attempts but no successes.

Your best bet is to backup the existing hard drive or at least Windows.old to an external hard drive then do a clean install of 8.1.


Copy any files or folders you want from the saved Windows.old to the new install.

Yeah, did the clean install once I conjured up my install key, but can't open the new backup format windows 10 uses (Windows.Old.wim). Does anyone know how to open a .wim file?

chrunos said:

under Recovery, you'll find an option Go back to Windows 8, then Click Get Started. this option only available for 30 days

Never was an option as the pc wouldn't boot up. I had to do a clean install. Now I'm looking into the .wim file and see what can be recovered. Also, I have a WHS 2011 backup at another location so will give that a shot at some point. Good to go for now.

chrunos said:

Attachment 35092
under Recovery, you'll find an option Go back to Windows 8, then Click Get Started. this option only available for 30 days

It should also have been possible to access that option from a bootable Recovery Drive... but I see it's too late now anyway.