Instruction Manual

for Windows 7 Recovery Image

Download Service

IT Products Business Division

AVC networks Company Panasonic Corporation

First edition : Dec 1, 2016

Revised edition : Jan 10, 2017

1
Contents

1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 4

1.1 Windows 7 Recovery Image Download Service..................................................... 4

1.2 Target Models .............................................................................................. 4

1.3 Workflow .................................................................................................... 5

2. Create Windows 7 Installation Media ...................................................................... 6

2.1 Step 1: Preparations for Downgrade .................................................................. 6

2.1.1 Prepare Unused Media.............................................................................. 6

2.1.2 Check free space ..................................................................................... 6

2.2 Step 2: Download Tool ................................................................................... 7

2.3 Step 3: Download Recovery Data ...................................................................... 8

2.3.1 Cautions ................................................................................................ 8

2.3.2 Model and Serial Number........................................................................... 9

2.3.3 Operation ............................................................................................ 10

2.3.4 Abort Download..................................................................................... 15

2.3.5 Restart Download .................................................................................. 16

2.4 Step 4: Create Recovery Media ...................................................................... 17

2.4.1 Cautions .............................................................................................. 17

2.4.2 Operation ............................................................................................ 17

2
 2.4.3 Abort Creation....................................................................................... 22

2.4.4 Restart Creation .................................................................................... 22

3. Install Windows 7 ............................................................................................ 23

3.1 Step 5: Backup Data .................................................................................... 23

3.2 Step 6: Create Windows 10 Recovery Media ...................................................... 23

3.3 Step 7: Install Windows 7 .............................................................................. 24

3.3.1 Cautions .............................................................................................. 24

3.3.2 Operation ............................................................................................ 25

4. Appendix ...................................................................................................... 27

4.1 Installation “.NET Framework” ........................................................................ 27

4.2 File Path of Recovery Data ............................................................................ 27

4.3 Download Plural Recovery Data ..................................................................... 27

4.4 Windows 7 Hard Disk Recovery ...................................................................... 28

3
1. Introduction

1.1 Windows 7 Recovery Image Download Service

This service allows downloading the recovery data of “Windows 7 Professional” over the network and creates the
recovery media (DVD or USB Memory). By using this media, you can downgrade Panasonic’s product which is
“Windows 10 Pro” preinstall model to “Windows 7 Professional SP1”.This manual provides the step by step
instructions of this service.

1.2 Target Models

The target models for Windows 7 downgrade are listed below.

 Please note that when the version of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is 2.0, Windows 7 cannot be
installed. The PC with TPM version 1.2 and the PC without TPM are eligible for this service. You can
confirm TPM’s version at [Control Panel]-[Device Manager]-[Security Devices].

Table 1 : Target Models

TOUGHBOOK Series CF-20 [A/B/C/D] (mk1), CF-31 [1/2/3/4] (mk5),

CF-53 [2/3/4/5/7] (mk4), CF-54 [A/B/C] (mk1),
CF-54 [D/E/F] (mk2), CF-C2C (mk2.5),
CF-D1 [N/Q] (mk3), CF-MX4E (mk1),
CF-SX4E (mk1 Asia model)
TOUGHPAD Series FZ-G1 [J/K/L/M/N] (mk3), FZ-G1 [P/Q/R] (mk4),
FZ-M1F (mk2), FZ-Y1 [C/D] (mk2)

The target models are “Windows 10” preinstall model. (“Windows 10 Home” is not eligible.)

4
1.3 Workflow

The following table shows the workflow of this service. Here “Tool” means "Recovery Disc Creation Utility
(Recovery Image Downloading Edition)" which is a support tool that is used for download and install when
downgrading to Windows 7.
Check cautions described in each section before operation.

Table 2 : Workflow

Step Contents
Create media Step 1 Preparations for downgrade
for installation (Sec.2.1) ･Prepare unused media
Windows 7 ･Check free space
(Sec.2) Step 2 Download the “Tool”
(Sec.2.2)
Step 3 Download the recovery data (for installation Windows 7)
(Sec.2.3) using the “Tool”
Step 4 Create the recovery media (for installation Windows 7)
(Sec.2.4) using the “Tool”
Install Windows 7 Step 5 Backup data
(Sec.3) (Sec.3.1)
Step 6 Create the recovery media (for installation Windows 10)
(Sec.3.2) ※Unnecessary in the case of already created
Step 7 Install Windows 7 using the recovery media
(Sec.3.3)

5
2. Create Windows 7 Installation Media

2.1 Step 1: Preparations for Downgrade

2.1.1 Prepare Unused Media

 This tool supports DVD-R /+R/DVD-R DL (dual layer) /+R DL (dual layer). Blu-ray isn’t supported.
 This tool also supports USB memory.
 <Restriction of the tool>
If the size of the recovery data is more than 26 GB, this tool doesn't support USB memory. In
that case, you can use only DVD for creating the recovery media.
 Estimated number or capacity of the media is as follows.

Table 3 : Estimated number or capacity of the media

Media type Localized model MUI model

DVD-R, DVD+R Up to 4 discs Up to 8 discs
DVD-R DL (dual layer) Up to 2 discs Up to 4 discs
DVD+R DL (dual layer)
USB Memory ※ 16GB or more 32GB or more
is recommended is recommended
Blu-ray Blu-ray isn’t supported.
※Please make sure that all data will be erased.

2.1.2 Check free space

In advance, check free space of on your computer (free space of the drive Windows System is installed). It needs
at least the size of the recovery data which is shown in the screen (Figure 4).

6
2.2 Step 2: Download Tool

"Recovery Disc Creation Utility (Recovery Image Downloading Edition)" is a support tool that is used for
downloading the recovery data and creating the recovery media of Windows 7. Install the tool according to the
following procedures.
The tool requires “.NET Framework 4.5 (or later)” to be installed. For more Information how to install “.NET
Framework”, refer to “4.1 Installation “.NET Framework””.
The tool can be operable in the following OS.
Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7

1) Download the program (recvdiscdl_v101l10.exe) and save it to the hard drive or external media (e.g.
External hard drive, memory card, rewritable DVD and so on).
2) Double-click the downloaded file.
3) At [User Account Control] screen, click [Yes].
4) When the license agreement appears, read it carefully, and then click [Yes(Y)].
5) The [Destination Location] screen appears. Usually you don’t need to change it. The default destination
is [C:\util2\recvdiscdl_v101l10]. Click [OK].
6) The folder appears when extracting finishes. Close the folder.

7
2.3 Step 3: Download Recovery Data

2.3.1 Cautions

 The size of the recovery data can be very large. We strongly recommend that you use a flat-rate
broadband internet connection when downloading. Note that data transfer rates may apply and
associated charges are the customer’s responsibility.
 It takes long time to download the recovery data. So we recommend that you shouldn’t do other
operation while downloading.
 The tool needs an Administrative permission. When the [User Account Control] screen is displayed,
operate according to the screen.
 Keep the connection to the network.
 Keep connecting your computer to a power outlet during the operation. Close all other applications, do
not Restart, Shutdown the computer or put it into Stand By or Hibernate mode.
 The tool requires “.NET Framework 4.5 (or later)” to be installed. For more Information how to install
“.NET Framework”, refer to “4.1 Installation “.NET Framework””.

8
2.3.2 Model and Serial Number

In advance, confirm the model number and serial number of the target computer (Panasonic’s product).
This information is needed for download. Please check in any of the following methods.
･Warranty card
･Label of computer
･PC Information Viewer

Checking method using [PC Information Viewer] in the following.

1) Start [PC Information Viewer] as shown in the following screen.

2) Click [Setup]. “Model No.” and “Serial No.” are shown in the screen.

CF-XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX

9
2.3.3 Operation

1) Double Click [RecvDiscDl.exe] and start the tool. It is saved at the following folder.
c:\util2\recvdiscdl_v101l10
At [User Account Control] screen, click [Yes].

Figure 1

※If “.NET Framework 4.5 (or later)” is not installed on the computer, error screen appears. In this case,
install “.NET Framework” according to “4.1 Installation “.NET Framework”” and then start the tool again.

2) “Figure 2” appears. Confirm it and click [Next].

Figure 2

10
3) ”Figure 3” appears. If the working computer is a Panasonic product, its model and serial number are
automatically displayed. If the working computer and target one for downgrade are different, input the
correct information for the target computer. Confirm it and click [Next].

Figure 3

4) ”Figure 4” appears when model and serial number are correct. Confirm the size of the recovery data
displayed in this screen (#). Click [Next].

Figure 4

11
 ※If model and/or serial number are incorrect, “Figure 5” appears. After correcting them, click [Next]. For
more information on how to check model or serial number, refer to “2.3.2 Model and Serial Number”.

Figure 5

5) Downloading starts and “Figure 6” appears. If you want to abort download and restart it later, click
[Suspend]. In this case “Figure 9” appears. For more information on how to abort and restart downloading,
refer to “2.3.4 Abort Download” and “2.3.5 Restart Download”.

Figure 6

12
※If downloading failed, “Figure 7” appears. After confirming the message, click [Exit]. Then “Figure 9”
appears. For more information on how to abort and restart downloading, refer to “2.3.4 Abort Download”
and “2.3.5 Restart Download”.

Figure 7

13
6) “Figure 8” appears when downloading completed. Click [Next], and create the recovery media (refer to
“2.4 Step 4: Create Recovery Media”). At this time, if you want to abort creating media and restart it later,
click [Cancel]. In this case, the data downloaded will not be erased and “Figure 19” will be displayed. For
more information on how to abort and restart creating media, refer to “2.4.3 Abort Creation” or ”2.4.4
Restart Creation”.

Figure 8

14
2.3.4 Abort Download

You can abort downloading and restart it later. If [Suspend] is clicked before completion of media creation,
“Figure 9” appears. Select [Save] or [Discard] and click [Exit]. For more information on how to restart, refer to
“2.3.5 Restart Download”.
※Once download of the recovery data is completed, you can’t download another recovery data as long as you
have not completed the media creation process. So if you want to download other recovery data (plural data),
create the recovery media or select [Discard] in the “Figure 9”.

Figure 9

15
2.3.5 Restart Download

When the tool starts up again after cancellation or failing the download, “Figure 10” appears.
Here you can choose the following two options:
 New download: Erase the data downloaded before and start to download from the beginning again.
 Resume download: Abort downloading and restart from the last knows status later.
Select [New download] or [Resume download] and click it.

Figure 10

16
2.4 Step 4: Create Recovery Media

2.4.1 Cautions

 When the creation of the recovery media has been completed, the recovery data which were saved in
the computer will be erased.
 Installed applications and configurations set after buying the computer won’t be saved in the recovery
media.
 Keep connecting your computer to a power outlet while writing media. Close all other applications. Do
not Restart, Shutdown the computer or put it into Stand By or Hibernate mode.
 Do not cause the computer to vibrate, or remove media while writing media.
 Store the recovery media created.
 If you used USB Memory as the recovery media, you will not be able to use it for any other purpose later.

2.4.2 Operation

1) After Confirming “Usage notes”, set DVD or connect USB Memory and Click [Next].

Figure 11

17
2) Check the number of discs required and click [Next].

Figure 12

3) In case of DVD media, the following screen is displayed. Select disc type and Click [Next].

Figure 13

18
4) In case of DVD media, “Figure 14” appears while writing media. Then replace the media according to the
screen (Figure 15). If you want to abort creating media, click [CANCEL]. In this case the recovery data
downloaded before will be retained (not be erased). For more information on how to abort and restart,
refer to “2.4.3 Abort Creation” and “2.4.4 Restart Creation”.

Figure 14

Figure 15

19
※In case of USB memory, “Figure 16” and ” Figure 17” appear. Confirm the message and continue the
process.

Figure 16

Figure 17

20
5) When the media is created successfully, “Figure 18” appears. Click [Exit] and install Windows 7 using the
media. For more information on how to install Windows 7, refer to “3 Install Windows 7”.
※When the creation of the recovery media has been completed, the recovery data which were saved in
the computer will be erased.

Figure 18

21
2.4.3 Abort Creation

When creating media is aborted, the following screen is displayed. After checking the screen, select [Save] or
[Discard] and click [Exit]. For more information on how to restart, refer to “2.4.4 Restart Creation”. Once the
downloading is completed, you can’t download another recovery data unless completing the media creation. So if
you want to download other recovery data, create the recovery media or select [Discard] at “Figure 19”.

Figure 19

2.4.4 Restart Creation

When the tool starts up after cancellation, the screen “Figure 11” is displayed and you can restart creating the
recovery media later. Follow the on-screen, and operate.

22
3. Install Windows 7

3.1 Step 5: Backup Data

 Take a backup copy of all your necessary data on external media if possible. Application software which
were installed before downgrade, history of e-mail, data which you created, and partition will be erased
after installing Windows 7.
 Take records of your network configurations and user account credentials. These will be erased after the
installation Windows 7.
 Installed applications and configurations of software manually installed will not be saved.
 Preinstalled applications (software) are different between Window 10 and Windows 7.
 Windows store application bought in Windows 10 won’t be available in Windows 7.

3.2 Step 6: Create Windows 10 Recovery Media

The recovery media of Windows 7 which is created using this manual doesn’t include the recovery data of
Windows 10 anymore. After installing Windows 7 using this recovery media, the recovery data of Windows 10
which exists in the recovery area of Hard Disk will be deleted. So create recovery media of Windows 10 using
“(preinstalled) recovery disc creation utility” before installing Windows 7. For more information about the utility,
refer to the on-screen manual.

23
3.3 Step 7: Install Windows 7

3.3.1 Cautions

 Keep connecting your computer to a power outlet while the operation

 To enable downgrade to Windows 7, change the BIOS setting. Set [UEFI Boot] of the BIOS settings to
[Disabled]. (To reinstall Windows 10 Pro, set [UEFI Boot] to [Enabled] again.)
 The following Windows 10 Pro Product functionalities will not work as they rely on a native UEFI mode
boot:
 Secure Boot
 Seamless Boot experience
 Network unlock for Bitlocker for systems with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
 eDrive support
 Windows 7 System Type (32-bit or 64-bit) is decided by the model of the computer. Only FZ-Y1 series
are 64bit fixed. Please check the following.
 For localized OS model
Default type is 32-bit (Only CF-20 series are 64-bit). To change the type from 32-bit to 64-bit, or vice
versa, install OS using the recovery partition in the Hard Disk. For more information on HD recovery,
refer to ”4.4 Windows 7 Hard Disk Recovery” or the on-screen manual.
 For MUI OS model
Windows 7 System Type (32-bit or 64-bit) and language can be selected when Windows 7 started
up at the first time after reinstallation.

24
3.3.2 Operation

Install Windows 7 according to the following procedures. After completing of Windows 7 installation, confirm the
information of update program at the following URL.
 http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/dl/

<TOUGHPAD Series>
 To start up the setup utility, turn on the computer, and touch the top left corner of the screen several times
while [Panasonic] boot screen is displayed.
 The procedure described below is based on the operation of TOUGHBOOK Series. In TOUGHPAD Series,
operate with [TOUCH] operations.

<In case of DVD Media>

1) Turn off the computer and connect a power outlet.
2) < Only for model without onboard CD/DVD drive >:
Connect the commercially available optical drive to the computer.
3) Turn on the computer, and press [F2] or [Del] while [Panasonic] boot screen is displayed. Then the
Setup Utility will start. If the password is requested, enter the Supervisor Password.
4) Write down all of the contents of the Setup Utility and click [Load Defaults Values] of the [Exit] menu. At
the confirmation message, select [Yes] and press [Enter].
5) Check the [UEFI Boot] setting of the Setup Utility and set [UEFI Boot] to [Disabled] and press [Enter].
6) <Only for model with onboard CD/DVD drive>
Check the [Advanced] setting of the Setup Utility and set [Optical Drive] to [Enabled] and press [Enter].
7) Set the recovery DVD media (1st) into the CD/DVD drive.
8) Click [Save Values and Reboot] of the [Exit] menu. At the confirmation message, select [Yes] and press
[Enter]. Computer will restart. Press [F2] or [Del] while [Panasonic] boot screen is displayed. Then the
Setup Utility will start. If the password is requested, enter the Supervisor Password. Go to [Exit] menu,
select the CD/DVD drive in the [Boot Override], and press [Enter]. Computer will restart.
9) Click [Reinstall Windows] and click [Next].
10) At the License Agreement screen, click [Yes, I agree to the provisions above and wish to continue!] and
click [Next].
11) Confirm the message and click [Next]. Follow the on-screen instructions and perform the reinstall.
12) When ending process screen is displayed, click [OK] to turn off the computer. Then turn on the computer.
Follow the on-screen instructions and perform setup of Windows.

< In case of USB Memory >

1) Turn off the computer and connect a power outlet.
2) Connect the USB Memory for recovering the computer.

25
3) Turn on the computer, and press [F2] or [Del] while [Panasonic] boot screen is displayed. Then the
Setup Utility will start. If the password is requested, enter the Supervisor Password.
4) Write down all of the contents of the Setup Utility and click [Load Defaults Values] of the [Exit] menu. At
the confirmation message, select [Yes] and press [Enter].
5) Check the [UEFI Boot] setting of the Setup Utility and set [UEFI Boot] to [Disabled] and press [Enter].
6) Set [Save Values and Reboot] of the [Exit] menu. At the confirmation message, select [Yes] and press
[Enter]. Computer will restart. Press [F2] or [Del] while [Panasonic] boot screen is displayed. Then the
Setup Utility will start. If the password is requested, enter the Supervisor Password. Go to [Exit] menu,
select the USB memory in the [Boot Override], and press [Enter]. Computer will restart.
7) Click [Reinstall Windows] and click [Next].
8) At the License Agreement screen, click [Yes, I agree to the provisions above and wish to continue!] and
click [Next].
9) Confirm the message and click [Next]. Follow the on-screen instructions and perform the reinstall.
10) When ending process screen is displayed, click [OK] to turn off the computer. Then turn on the
computer.

26
4. Appendix

4.1 Installation “.NET Framework”

The support tool described in this manual requires “.NET Framework 4.5 (or later)” to be installed. Install it
according the following procedures.
1) Download “.NET Framework” from the site of Microsoft. Version of the program, please select the ones
of 4.5 or later.
2) Double-click the downloaded file. At [User Account Control] screen, click [Yes].
3) When the license agreement appears, read it carefully, and then click [Agree].
4) At [Installation is complete] screen, click [Finish].

4.2 File Path of Recovery Data

Recovery data downloaded is saved in the following folder

 %PROGRAMDATA%\Panasonic Corporation\Recovery Disc Creation Utility (Recovery Image
Downloading Edition)

Part of [%PROGRAMDATA%] is different depending on the configuration of the computer.

(Ex: "C:\ProgramData")

When the creation of the recovery media has been completed, the recovery data which were saved in the
computer will be erased.

4.3 Download Plural Recovery Data

Once download of the recovery data is completed, you can’t download another recovery data as long as you have
not completed the media creation process. So if you want to download other recovery data (plural data), create
the recovery media downloaded before or erase the data. After that, you can download the data of other model.

27
4.4 Windows 7 Hard Disk Recovery

Operate according to the following procedures.

<TOUGHPAD Series>
 To start up the setup utility, turn on the computer, and touch the top left corner of the screen several times
while [Panasonic] boot screen is displayed.
 The procedure described below is based on the operation of TOUGHBOOK Series. In TOUGHPAD Series,
operate with [TOUCH] operations.

1) Turn off the computer and connect a power outlet.

2) Turn on the computer, and press [F2] or [Del] while [Panasonic] boot screen is displayed. Then the
Setup Utility will start. If the password is requested, enter the Supervisor Password.
3) Write down all of the contents of the Setup Utility and click [Load Defaults Values] of the [Exit] menu. At
the confirmation message, select [Yes] and press [Enter].
4) Select [Exit] menu, then click [Recovery Partition].
5) Click [Reinstall Windows] and click [Next].
6) At the License Agreement screen, At the License Agreement screen, click [Yes, I agree to the provisions
above and wish to continue!] and click [Next].
7) After that, operate according to the screen. When ending process is displayed, touch [OK] to turn off the
computer.
8) Turn on the computer and perform the settings of Windows 7.

28