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My new laptop came pre-loaded with Windows 8. I tried to install Windows 7 but it shows that the drive is partitioned using GPT. Now, I need to delete all partitions and convert it to MBR to install Windows 7.

But I have some data in one of the partition. I don't have any OS now. Just two GPT partitions. I want to retrieve / backup/ copy the data in one of the partition. How can I do that ? Windows 7 won't install without partitioning it into MBR first.

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  • See this page (or many others like it) for instructions on installing Windows 7 in UEFI mode.
    – Rod Smith
    Jul 2, 2014 at 12:42

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You may want to use either a Linux Live USB or CD to boot on a complete live OS, alternatively, and if you're not interested in installing any Linux distribution, you can download and burn GParted which is a tool to manage partitions and filesystems. On the link provided you can download an standalone ISO, which is a bootable operating system that contains and lets you run said app. The advantages of this are:

  • It's bootable. You don't have to have a previously installed OS.
  • It runs from a CD or USB stick. Your filesystems won't be in use so you can freely operate on them.
  • It's linux based. You don't have to worry about windows permissions.

The same bootable disk contains an small file browser, that would let you mount your filesystems and do your backup to any drive or support you want. It supports the most common filesystem types: NTFS, EXT, HFS, FAT.

Its usage is pretty simple and intuitive, you can find more information on its online help pages.

Update:

Since you are using Windows 8 based system, you may have to disable the Secure Boot or enable the Legacy Boot features on your BIOS in order to boot from the live CD or USB.

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  • I'm trying this out. Thanks for the prompt reply. I will reply asa I do this! :) Jul 2, 2014 at 2:43
  • Does GParted software allow me to transfer files from the laptop to an external HDD connected with USB 3.0? Jul 2, 2014 at 2:51
  • Yes, it will. Linux has support for usb 3.0 too.
    – arielnmz
    Jul 2, 2014 at 2:53
  • GParted did not work properly when trying to copy the files. I'm installing Ubuntu from USB and then try to copy the files Jul 2, 2014 at 5:40
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    I just want to say thanks after almost 10 years, this is a good solution. Sorry for not marking it as solved all those years ago. Sep 10, 2023 at 14:30

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