The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Downgrading to Windows 7 on HP Spectre x360-13-4058na

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Cogito, Aug 20, 2016.

  1. Cogito

    Cogito Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi all,

    I am attempting to downgrade from Windows 8.1 to 7 on a HP spectre x360-13-4058na.

    Does anyone know whether this will be possible driver-wise? And if so, could you point me in the right direction?

    Just to note, on a scale from 0 to 10 (0 being no technical knowledge and 10 being technical "overlord"), I'm a 1.5.
     
    Cogito, Aug 20, 2016
    #1
  2. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,879
    Messages:
    8,923
    Likes Received:
    4,701
    Trophy Points:
    431
    If the system was never available with Windows 7 from the factory, it's unlikely you will get everything to work properly.
     
    saturnotaku, Aug 20, 2016
    #2
  3. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

    Reputations:
    500
    Messages:
    2,540
    Likes Received:
    792
    Trophy Points:
    131
    If it's got a newer pcie ssd, you'll need a modded win 7 installer with the drivers included in order for it to even see the drive.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    alexhawker, Aug 20, 2016
    #3
  4. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    2,844
    Messages:
    2,736
    Likes Received:
    896
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Can you even turn off Secure Boot in bios?
     
    KLF, Aug 20, 2016
    #4
  5. bennni

    bennni Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    91
    Messages:
    450
    Likes Received:
    277
    Trophy Points:
    76
    Is there any particular reason you wish to do so?

    Give Classic Shell a try - it makes Windows 8.1 look and behave 90% like Windows 7 - plus it's free. It doesn't fix everything - for example, the network part of the bottom right isn't as useable as Windows 7, since it still uses the Windows 8.1 style. On the other hand, you'll keep the better file manager of Windows 8.1 and other benefits - so it's actually a bit of a win there. I hated Windows 8.1 at first but now I prefer Windows 8.1 with Classic Shell to Windows 7.

    If you haven't already, make sure the system is booting directly to the desktop - avoids the start screen.
     
    bennni, Aug 21, 2016
    #5
    saturnotaku and Starlight5 like this.
  6. Support.2@XOTIC PC

    Support.2@XOTIC PC Company Representative

    Reputations:
    486
    Messages:
    3,148
    Likes Received:
    3,490
    Trophy Points:
    331
    If getting Windows 10 is not an option for you, I'd stick with Windows 8.1
    This laptop was never shipped with 7 installed, so it's probably not a good idea to try it.

    I agree with @bennni , classic shell is great alternative.
     
    Support.2@XOTIC PC, Aug 25, 2016
    #6