Back Up/Restore different iOS?? PC

I had to return my iPhone 4s for a new one.



Before returning it I made a complete backup of the phone onto my PC, and one onto iCloud, via iTunes.



I also copied/pasted all my pictures from my iPhone to my PC from within Windows just to be safe!



I received a refurbished phone, and a backup from iCloud was not possible because the phone already had iOS v7.1.1 (that's how the Apple Stores do it).



SOO, my questions are these.



1. Is it possible/adivsable to put my old OS back on the unit from my PC's backup?



2. How do I put back the pictures I had back on my iPhone?



I got the impression from Apple that because my backup was done with iOS 5.x, that data would not be obtainable. I saved my images separately from iTunes JUST in case something like this MIGHT happen.



3. If I back up my phone to iCloud OR to my PC, will iTunes over right my current backups?



4. Lastly on a "minor" note, I had some games installed, BUT the progression I made within the games is not present once I reinstalled the game Apps. Is this data lost for good too??



I really don't know what the deal is. SO far the phone is functioning fine.

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