Reverting an activated Windows 8 Toshiba laptop to Windows 7

I have just acquired a near new Toshiba P50-A laptop (part number PSPMHA-01D00L). These PC's allow the user to choose between W7-64 and W8 when they are first switched on. The previous owner has chosen Windows 8 and this reports as having been activated, but I would prefer to run with Windows 7.

There is a "factory reset" function available which I imagine returns the PC to "out of the box" condition, but does this also allow me to choose Windows 7 and activate that instead, or am I stuck with Windows 8 forever?

I asked this question on stack overflow and it was suggested that I would need to download the Windows 7 ISO from Digital River, but I'm unsure as to what variant of W7 the laptop came with. Anyone able to help me there?

Assuming I can get the product key (still chasing the seller for it) is it the same key for both the W8 and W7 installs?

 

I don't think just the iso would do it. As I believe the bios is different between windows 7 and 8.

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RrnR,

I have never seen a laptop that lets you choose between Win 7 and Win 8 on first bootup. Either that is something new, or someone is lying.

Anyway, you need to acquire the restore disc for Win 7 for that model from Toshiba for a price.

Then you need to do 2 things in the BIOS - disable Secure Boot and enable CSM Module. Then you can install Win 7 using that restore disc from Toshiba.

 

Oh, is it possible that what he was talking about is the disk that Toshiba gives when you buy it with win 7? I ordered mine with windows 7 and it came pre installed with windows 7 and they included disks to install windows 8. So technically I could "choose" either one. But that's not during first boot. I can switch any time I like

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Not quite sure but can you install different Windows versions on different partitions of a drive? In much the same manner when you dual boot with Ubuntu you can select either Ubuntu or Windows. It possible to select from 3 operating systems?

 

If you can obtain a Toshiba OEM version of Windows 7, then you should be able to install Windows 7 without any trouble or need for product activation. Also, if this computer did, in fact, give the user the option to choose between Windows 7 and Windows 8 upon first boot, then there should be a Windows 7 product key somewhere on the computer. If you have a valid Windows 7 product key, then you could actually use a generic Windows 7 ISO file, burn to DVD or make a bootable USB drive, and install with the Windows 7 key. You are not stuck with Windows 8 forever, but getting Windows 7 on that computer may take a little work.

 

Hold on. Windows 8 has the key embedded in bios, it should not be needed during install. However you can read it from the bios with a proper tool (can be found in the Windows subforum here).

If you are running Windows 8 Pro, then proper downgrade license should be Windows 7 Pro. As Datamonger says, obtaining a Toshiba install disc would be easiest because it would activate automatically. Windows 7 key isn't necessary due downgrade rights... not providing discs for it is another (annoying) thing.

I have no idea what the factory reset option would do but backup everything you want and try it. Can't get worse than Windows 8 anyways...

Not necessarily. That system has been used on computers for many years. At first boot user is prompted to choose what version he wants, that image is then restored on the computer and rest are deleted.

I've seen that in action since when Win98 was the OS of choise on Compaq computers. Back then the selection was between Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Norwegian and English windows however Also Win2000/NT4 was common on business machines. Granted, it hasn't been that common these days but it's not unheard of.

Also Win8 works on same bios as Win7, secure boot etc is not mandatory for Win8 to work.