ditching Windows 8 for Windows 7

Hey all,

I received a Toshiba Satellite C855D with Windows 8, and I'd like to (need to, actually) downgrade to Windows 7. Does anyone know if there's any sort of stupid Windows 8 mechanism, or with the Satellite itself, that would prevent me from doing that? Probably a stupid question, as I would think there should be no problem, but I'd like to get a second or third opinion before I drop $100 on Windows 7 software.

 

No, there will be no problem. Just do a clean install when you install Windows 7, formatting the hard drive (or SSD, as the case may be) before the installation of Windows 7.

 

Assuming you have a W7 license, no, there's no mechanism preventing it. Before dropping $100 on it, I'd look into resolving the issues you have with W8, though. Most issues can be fairly simply adjusted.

 

there have been numerous threads about hung W7 downgrade installations on new(er) machines with EFI. YMMV.

 

Rather than drop $100 just to try it why not download a legal ISO, use Microsoft's tool to put it on a USB stick, and install a trial version to mess around with first?

Resources:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html
Microsoft Store Online

 

As MidnightSun mentioned, is there a reason the OP doesn't like Windows 8? I run Windows 7 and Windows 8 on my laptop and I find myself using Windows 8 more.

 

That's the thing. Even if you don't like the paradigm switch in UI, you can address that with software costing $0-$5 that gives you a Windows 7-esque UI, while retaining the ability to access, say, Xbox Video (a pretty good movie rental and TV purchase store...it's my main source for Homeland episodes right now).

 

Thanks for the responses. The issue isn't that I don't like Windows 8 (and to be sure, I don't like it), but that I need to run some software that's not Windows 8 compatible.

 

You could also create a separate partition for Windows 7- that way you could keep windows 8 on your hard drive as well.

 

Hate to burst the bubble...but I have 12 laptops all running Windows7x64Ult Sp1 and couldn't have made a better move...and few of them are 2009 model...try putting Windows 8 on that old of laptops let alone find drivers for them....

Would be good but the OP just mentioned they disagree with Windows8 and like to remove it...so let's go with what the OP wants to do and not sanctioned them to something they don't want.

Well as another poster said you would have to go the legal Windows7 site if that what your looking for and download it for 30 days trial before purchasing the license for the windows version you want to use. But I would not recommend anything below Windows7 Pro if your looking for a replacement O/S to Windows8. Yes, it will cost some money to go Windows7 but if your programs don't work on Windows8 your going to waste more time and money trying to fix a problem that should have been a problem to begin with in the first place. And trust me I have a dozen laptop 6-9 years and they work fine on Windows7x64 with the right drivers as well.

 

Yep, lol. Just installed Win 7 on my 7 year old Athlon64 X2 (socket 939, not even socket 940/AM1) desktop system without a hitch. 2GB is minimum and that's all this 2 RAM slot DDR 400 (yes original DDR) system will accommodate, but works great as a general machine and am now using it for my minecraft, teamspeak, apache server. Tried Windows 8 and it wouldn't have anything to do with it. XP is ideal for this system, but 7 is so much more streamlined. Just wish I could throw in 4GB RAM.

 

Windows 8 is the answer to a question nobody has asked.

 

It's called GREED and making money for their share holders "FACT"....nothing in the W8 was for the consumers or endusers wanted or needed. Also tablet are a niche market everything is still keyboard and mouse functions.

 

haha, too true.

 

It was really simple for Microsoft, but they didn't do it. They just needed to release a Win 8 for Tablets that came with the Metro UI only, and then Win 8 for desktop with conventional desktop and start menu, with option for the Metro UI for those that want it, but more importantly for the hybrid laptop/tablets.

 

Haha, love that and so very true. But MS wants to move on as they see more profit in moving customers forward rather than "allowing" them to remain in the past such as many people still using XP. Do I personally like Windows 8? No, but that's the direction MS is going to people will have to accept it because at some point W7 will no longer be relevant.

 

Windows 7 will fail to be relevant when it stops receiving security updates, which isn't happening until 2019.

 

right, just as relevant as vista has been for the last ~3.5 years.

 

I've been paying around with 8 for the past couple days, IMHO it's not a bad OS however the extras (Metro UI, apps) are really not needed.

Microsoft should have just worked on Windows 7 SP2 (adding non Metro UI features found in Windows 8) and a separate OS (with Metro UI) for tablets instead of marrying both together in one OS which is quiet confusing, inconvenient and just a mess.

I will be re-installing Windows 7 and sticking with it till something more redefined Windows comes along.

 

Ok so W7 OEM came in the mail today, and apparently this is somewhat different from the version you buy at the store. I've seen some chatter that OEM cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older version of windows, but can anyone confirm that the same is true for downgrading? I may have to send this back.

 

OEM(original equipment manufacturer) here a better wiki link define...

Original equipment manufacturer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But I do know OEM usually means it's a full O/S version not upgrade...and has it's own key and you can do a full format and wipe with a clean O/S not upgrade O/S. No OEM can't upgrade older O/S that will be a different O/S license I think if you do get it to update with the OEM that will probably generate a different license from your OEM and that might not work. OEM is generally used to wipe and reinstall a new O/S not upgrade older O/S. It might be different for others but that how I used OEM for.

 

At that point it will be WindowsX2.... lol......

 

Windows 8 machines should be downgradable for free to Windows 7. The maachine will require an OEM install an mantioned this is a full version. It may also include the bloatware and other things from the OEM as well. As far as the install the system should have SLIC 2.0 or above and be fine with the activation and OEM key. Just remember the downgrade is a permanent replacement for the OE win 8 key. Unlike where you were given 8 as an upgrade to win7 where you can, and have to, revert to win 7 on a new install as the key is an upgrade cd (I am not talking using tricks to get the NEW install).

To purchase a new pc today, despite my dislike of windows 8, I would have to use windows 7 to get full functionality from my printer. So I feel for the OP. Sometimes incompatabilities force the use of older O/S's but in time this may be resolved. Hopefully by then Aero Glass will reappear of maybe windowblinds for windows 8 will get the functionality back without the hack's problems with WDM..............