I have windows 7 now, and I would like to upgrade to the consumer preview of windows 8 (not fresh install).
However, I want to be able to revert to what I have now (windows 7) should issues occur. I do not need this to be a simple option (like a dual boot or similar) I am OK if it takes a few hours to make the change.
I do not have enough space to clone my HD as it is now, and then upgrade.
Is there a way to save just the operating system files of windows 7 to a separate partition, and have the rest of the files remain unduplicated?
My current idea (which I am not sure will work).
My current setup is to have all of my files, programs, etc on the C:
partition. I would create a new partition (D:
) that will move all of my (non-OS) data to, and then create hardlinks to it on the C:
partition. I would then clone the C:
partition (which would now be around 25GB or so) and store it as a new partition (E:
). Afterwards, I would upgrade partitions C:
or E:
.
Does this make sense? Will it work? Is there a vastly easier way to do it? If this way is the way to do it (something I doubt very much) what would be the best way to create the hardlinks?
Summary: I am trying to have the minimal amount of information backed up so that I can overwrite windows 8, and get back windows 7.
E: