I thought Windows 8 Keys can be used to install Windows 7?

I thought that you can downgrade for free using your Windows 8 key but you can't

I tried 2 keys, first one is the key built into my BIOS, that didn't work.

Then I tried to use my Windows 8 Pro Key, still didn't work, the key has characters which aren't even accepted by the Windows 7 installer

How does one downgrade then?

 

Nobody ever said you could install Windows 7 with a Windows 8 key.

Understanding downgrade rights

 

so how can I downgrade? if I contact Microsoft will they give meh a Win 7 Pro key for free since I purchased Win 8 Pro before using the 15 USD upgrade offer (had a diff. pc back then)

 

No. You ask whoever you bought the PC from. You need to be running Windows 8 Pro OEM.

 

It's a different OS. I don't see how anyone could think that.

 

you are absolutely right.

I just called Microsoft and they said that my Pro Key is a Retail key so it cannot be used to downgrade. They said only a PRO OEM Key has downgrade rights.

The tech support agent actually spent 10 mins with me on the phone trying to convince me not to downgrade even if I had the ability to.

He asked me why do I wanna downgrade, I said because sometimes when I press the touchpad accidentally, it gets me back to the Metro screen

 

You can disable that behavior. Poke around the mouse/trackpad settings.

 

I can see that, they really need to keep everyone on board. I think though this was true of people buying Windows 7 machines and some still wanting XP too, although I doubt the push was as hard. I guess they do this with the OEM key to prevent current Win8 installs upgrading to Win8 pro just to downgrade to Win7 pro.

 

here is the thing, the only way I can get a product key from them for Windows 7 is that if my laptop came pre-installed with Windows 8 Pro


My laptop came with Windows 8 Single Language x64 = Not eligible for downgrade

I own a retail product key for Windows 8 Pro = Not eligible for downgrade

I actually spent 10 minutes with the supervisor telling her that I hate the OS and these licenses are useless to me but she kept telling me she can't give me a free key! Their system will not issue it unless I had a Win 8 Pro product key (OEM)

 

Right you can't get a FREE key. This is what really ticks me off with M$, they won't fix it (Win8) but will happily take your money for a downgrade key. It is not like you can get a refund on the original OEM key either, so they essentially are double dipping. This is why I say only downgrade if it is worth it to you to pay them again. I know it stinks but that is the option right now.

I didn't need a new system last year, my old one was good for another couple of years. With the changes I was coming with Win8 I purchased a Win7 machine to last me a bit longer. I tried to convince everyone I knew to do the same. OEM's on non touch systems are too afraid to offer Win7 on new equipment as there is a cost to do so and then if M$ all of a sudden fixes Win8 they will be caught with their pants down.........................