changing from windows 8 to windows 7
Started by
chenoa64
, Dec 06 2012 09:48 PM
#1
Posted 06 December 2012 - 09:48 PM
chenoa64
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#2
Posted 07 December 2012 - 04:00 AM
Essexboy
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An easier way would be to convert the appearance of windows 8 to that of windows 7
Screen shot of my windows 8
[attachment=61876:Untitled.png]
I use Rocketdock start8 for this but there is also a free version called classic shell
Screen shot of my windows 8
[attachment=61876:Untitled.png]
I use Rocketdock start8 for this but there is also a free version called classic shell
#3
Posted 07 December 2012 - 08:34 PM
Ztruker
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I agree Windows 8 is not good. I spent a month getting it to look and feel like Windows 7 then said the heck with it and put windows 7 back on. I missed the Aero Glass look among other things.
You will need to buy a copy of Windows 7 to install, no way around that. The OEM System Builder version is about the cheapest you can get, usually $99 or so.
You will need to buy a copy of Windows 7 to install, no way around that. The OEM System Builder version is about the cheapest you can get, usually $99 or so.
#5
Posted 14 January 2013 - 08:24 PM
Macboatmaster
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It is probably a litle too late now, as the original post was the 7 Dec 2012 and chenoa64 has not ever responded.
However for the benefit of anyone browsing the site, especially with the intention of buying a new computer with 8 pre installed. These are some of the important considerations.
1. Microsoft have dictated that all computers, sold with 8 pre installed as the operating system AND bearing the Microsoft certified for Windows 8 - label (this is the OEM computer such as Acer HP Dell etc) and with UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) must have secure boot enabled. This has implications for the install of 7 and indeed UEFI and the attendant GPT have an effect on what the computer can use as a bootable medium - even without considering the 7 issue.
UEFI cannot boot from NTFS it must boot from FAT32.
2. Whilst the installation of 7 on those computers is quite achievable it is NOT easy. For instance the disk is formatted to what is known as GPT - GUID Partition Table and not to MBR as it was in the traditional BIOS . UEFI is the replacement for the BIOS that we all are so familiar with.
3. 32 Windows will not install to a UEFI firmware it can read from GPT but cannot boot from it. So if you are thinking of installing 32 bit Windows 7 - you must install in what is known as legacy mode - basically that configures UEFI to run as BIOS. There is another mode on most UEFI - known as CSM and that can be set to various configurations.
4. If it is 64 bit Windows 7 it will install in UEFI on a GPT partition formatted drive.
5. WHILST they are still available and unless you KNOW that you are certainly going to be happy and settled with 8, the far better solution is to buy your new computer with 7 pre installed
Although time is limited - you are if you buy NOW entitled to a download of Windows 8 upgrade at just £14.99.
AND you can have made the purchase of the computer with 7 pre installed anytime between
2 June 2012 and 31 January 2013, If you meet those conditions, you can purchase a download of Windows 8 Pro at a special promotional price that varies by region.
It does not have to be installed now.
It can be saved for when you have the benefit of reading more opinions about 8 and then installed if you are able tio decide it is what you want.
http://www.windowsup...offer.com/en-GB
6. The upgrade to 8 is FAR easier and smoother than the install of 7 on a computer that has 8 pre installed when sold.
7. IF YOU have bought with 8 installed and it is 8 professional then you do NOT have to buy 7 to change
YOU are at this time entitled to use a previously actiivated licence for 7 and then as of course it will not validate on the product key you contact Microsoft and they will issue you with a ONE TIME activation code
This procedure is not really aimed at the private end user, but is legally available to you.
There are a number of conditions and of course you must first find an installation DVD for 8.
http://www.microsoft...bid=gjqourJOwOc
8. There are many more considerations to installing 7 on a computer you have bought with 8 pre-installed
A. Check before you even consider it that drivers are available for that computer for 7.
Some OEM`s have stated that they will not be making 7 drivers available for computers sold with 8 pre-installed
B. Ensure you have the means to fully recover back to 8 - not of course merely the recovery partition on the hard drive - that will not be available after you install 7,.
C. A safer but not always practical solution is to purchase a new drive and install 7 on that.
Then if it goes haywire - you can reinstall the original drive.
D. Be aware that if the install of 7 does not work out and you have attempted installing to the original drive the support from the supplier or OEM will be very SLIGHT in assisting your recovery to 8.
Indeed some OEMs have issued warnings that if you do install another operating system - and then require support for a problem, they may insist on the install of 8 before that support is offered, under the terms of support when the computer was sold.
9. ANYONE who happens to read the post is welcome to further advice if you wish.
PLEASE post here - BUT with only a link to your NEW topic.
I will then do my best to assist.
Please be patient as I am very busy elsewhere.
YOU may of course be readily assisted by another member of Geeks to Go
However for the benefit of anyone browsing the site, especially with the intention of buying a new computer with 8 pre installed. These are some of the important considerations.
1. Microsoft have dictated that all computers, sold with 8 pre installed as the operating system AND bearing the Microsoft certified for Windows 8 - label (this is the OEM computer such as Acer HP Dell etc) and with UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) must have secure boot enabled. This has implications for the install of 7 and indeed UEFI and the attendant GPT have an effect on what the computer can use as a bootable medium - even without considering the 7 issue.
UEFI cannot boot from NTFS it must boot from FAT32.
2. Whilst the installation of 7 on those computers is quite achievable it is NOT easy. For instance the disk is formatted to what is known as GPT - GUID Partition Table and not to MBR as it was in the traditional BIOS . UEFI is the replacement for the BIOS that we all are so familiar with.
3. 32 Windows will not install to a UEFI firmware it can read from GPT but cannot boot from it. So if you are thinking of installing 32 bit Windows 7 - you must install in what is known as legacy mode - basically that configures UEFI to run as BIOS. There is another mode on most UEFI - known as CSM and that can be set to various configurations.
4. If it is 64 bit Windows 7 it will install in UEFI on a GPT partition formatted drive.
5. WHILST they are still available and unless you KNOW that you are certainly going to be happy and settled with 8, the far better solution is to buy your new computer with 7 pre installed
Although time is limited - you are if you buy NOW entitled to a download of Windows 8 upgrade at just £14.99.
AND you can have made the purchase of the computer with 7 pre installed anytime between
2 June 2012 and 31 January 2013, If you meet those conditions, you can purchase a download of Windows 8 Pro at a special promotional price that varies by region.
It does not have to be installed now.
It can be saved for when you have the benefit of reading more opinions about 8 and then installed if you are able tio decide it is what you want.
http://www.windowsup...offer.com/en-GB
6. The upgrade to 8 is FAR easier and smoother than the install of 7 on a computer that has 8 pre installed when sold.
7. IF YOU have bought with 8 installed and it is 8 professional then you do NOT have to buy 7 to change
YOU are at this time entitled to use a previously actiivated licence for 7 and then as of course it will not validate on the product key you contact Microsoft and they will issue you with a ONE TIME activation code
This procedure is not really aimed at the private end user, but is legally available to you.
There are a number of conditions and of course you must first find an installation DVD for 8.
http://www.microsoft...bid=gjqourJOwOc
8. There are many more considerations to installing 7 on a computer you have bought with 8 pre-installed
A. Check before you even consider it that drivers are available for that computer for 7.
Some OEM`s have stated that they will not be making 7 drivers available for computers sold with 8 pre-installed
B. Ensure you have the means to fully recover back to 8 - not of course merely the recovery partition on the hard drive - that will not be available after you install 7,.
C. A safer but not always practical solution is to purchase a new drive and install 7 on that.
Then if it goes haywire - you can reinstall the original drive.
D. Be aware that if the install of 7 does not work out and you have attempted installing to the original drive the support from the supplier or OEM will be very SLIGHT in assisting your recovery to 8.
Indeed some OEMs have issued warnings that if you do install another operating system - and then require support for a problem, they may insist on the install of 8 before that support is offered, under the terms of support when the computer was sold.
9. ANYONE who happens to read the post is welcome to further advice if you wish.
PLEASE post here - BUT with only a link to your NEW topic.
I will then do my best to assist.
Please be patient as I am very busy elsewhere.
YOU may of course be readily assisted by another member of Geeks to Go
Edited by Macboatmaster, 14 January 2013 - 08:30 PM.
#6
Posted 05 February 2013 - 06:04 AM
vpop
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ya i hate windows 8 now i m using windows 7
#7
Posted 05 February 2013 - 06:50 AM
Macboatmaster
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7k
JAKEA
Welcome to Geeks to Go
IF you have any more questions, other than are answered below - Please create your own NEW topic in the Windows 8 forums.
However the brief answer is unless you have Windows 8 professional, when you may use a previously activated version of 7 eg. installed on another computer and it does not have to be your computer, then YES you have to BUY Windows 7. If you can borrow the installation discs from Windows 7 or you have them, albeit it has already been installed and is in use, then you may follow this procedure
http://www.microsoft...bid=gjqourJOwOc
Welcome to Geeks to Go
IF you have any more questions, other than are answered below - Please create your own NEW topic in the Windows 8 forums.
However the brief answer is unless you have Windows 8 professional, when you may use a previously activated version of 7 eg. installed on another computer and it does not have to be your computer, then YES you have to BUY Windows 7. If you can borrow the installation discs from Windows 7 or you have them, albeit it has already been installed and is in use, then you may follow this procedure
http://www.microsoft...bid=gjqourJOwOc
Edited by Macboatmaster, 05 February 2013 - 06:50 AM.
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