- Does the free Windows 10 update format my whole HDD if I choose to?
- If I choose to format, will I be able to go back to Windows 7?
- Do I need to download a Window 7 ISO file?
- Do I need my OEM and Recovery partitions? I did not make a removable backup for Recovery partitions.
Does the free Windows 10 update format my whole HDD if I choose to?
Not initially, it has to be an in place upgrade of your current operating system first. Then after verifying that you have an activated Windows 10 upgrade, you can wipe your hard drive and do a clean install of Windows 10.
If I choose to format, will I be able to go back to Windows 7?
You won't be able to revert back to Windows 7. But you will be able to reinstall Windows 7 from Windows 7 install media.
Do I need to download a Window 7 ISO file?
I'm just going to say yes. If you want to go back to Windows 7 after formatting your hard drive, you will. And it is very good to have anyway.
Do I need my OEM and Recovery partitions? I did not make a removable backup for Recovery partitions.
If you want to have any chance of going back to the factory Windows 7, you will need to keep them. If you want to be able to just go back to plain, vanilla Windows 7 then you will need the Windows 7 ISO instead. Also, don't forget to record your Windows 7 product key.
I would urge you to create an image backup to an external USB hard drive using Macrium Reflect Free before upgrading to Windows 10. That way you can always go back to Windows 7 if the need arises. Then you would not need the OEM and Recovery partitions as they would be restored when you restored the backup image.
Just my $.02 worth.
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