Need to downgrade windows 8 non-pro that was preinstalled

I need to downgrade and in my search for a way to return to windows 7 Ive come across these downgrade rights for windows 8 professional. My thoughts are to upgrade to pro using my school email for $40 then downgrading to 7 but I dont see mention of this option to downgrade anywhere. This seems like my cheapest option, otherwise I will have to buy a copy of 7 brand new and do a clean install. Is the option to downgrade only available on machines with Windows 8 Pro preinstalled, and if so why???


...and yes, im sure I want to go back to 7 as the programs I use most frequently for school and are given to me by my university only work on windows 7.


This is the link to downgrade rights:
Understanding downgrade rights

i'm not sure about the downgrade options, it was usually part of some systems that came with 7 pro to downgrade to xp for business reasons, but that didn't come with every 7 pro system.

buying windows 7 may be your only option.

I'd say to call Microsoft directly and ask them. They should tell you how to do it.

Is the option to downgrade only available on machines with Windows 8 Pro preinstalled, and if so why???

Click to expand...

Welcome to EightForums.

For business reasons downgrade the rights are for PC's that come with Windows 8 Pro Preinstalled only.


You can buy a Windows 7 licence & downgrade yourself.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html