Getting rid of Windows 8 and downgrading to Windows 7?

ssmoore33

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I bought a Compaq CQ58 laptop and it came with windows 8 already on it. And my last laptop was a Compaq laptop too but it fell and the hard drive broke and they sent me a new one and a windows 7 Compaq disk to reinstall on it, anyways I got rid of that laptop and was wondering if I could take the windows 7 disk I have and install it on my new laptop to get rid of windows 8 because I hate it. Its just a regular windows 7 home premium disk? Will this work or will it mess up my new computer?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq CQ58
That depends on a few things - the Windows 7 license that you acquired when you purchased your old Compaq actually was tied to that device. Assuming your country flag is correct, you cannot legally install that license on another machine (although the disc is not the license of course). If your Compaq CQ58 came with Windows 8 (and not Windows 8 Pro), you do not have downgrade rights, and you'd have to purchase a copy of Windows 7 from a retailer, or contact Compaq to see if they'd provide you one for free or at some cost. If it came with Windows 8 Pro, however, you can downgrade (legally) to Windows 7 Professional or Windows Vista Business (only), but you'd still need to contact Compaq for a Windows 7 Professional or Windows Vista Business disc and product key to use for downgrading:
Understanding downgrade rights

Assuming you have a device that was sold to you with Windows 8 (non-Pro), you do not have legal rights to downgrade from Microsoft themselves, and will need to contact Compaq to see if they currently offer any downgrade rights (and media and product keys to do so) themselves. If not, you'll have to buy a license for Windows 7 (any version you desire) to use to install on that machine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus Hero VII
    Memory
    32GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX970
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 250GB SSD
    4x WD RE 2TB (RAIDZ)
    PSU
    Corsair AX760i
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
It seems as it can get pretty complicated. Most people who first tried Windows 8 did not like it--myself included. But as they used it, I think most users do like it. That of course does not mean that you would like it. But why don't you give it a try and you might prefer it over window 7. Just a suggestion.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG
Install Classic Shell (or another of the available start menu's), you won't have to deal withe the metro stuff at all. Give it a go for some time then make the decision. I strongly dislike the metro interface & looks (talking from a non-tablet\touch point of view), but using it as a windows '7,5' by getting the start button \ desktop working properly makes it quite nice, it's fast and has been very reliable here, and is even able to run all kinds of outdated programs and drivers I've thrown at it (am quite impressed in that dept.). Just some opinions from a metro-hater.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W8.1, W7
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP \ Toshiba \ Lenovo \ Dell E7440
    Browser
    FF
I bought a Compaq CQ58 laptop and it came with windows 8 already on it. And my last laptop was a Compaq laptop too but it fell and the hard drive broke and they sent me a new one and a windows 7 Compaq disk to reinstall on it, anyways I got rid of that laptop and was wondering if I could take the windows 7 disk I have and install it on my new laptop to get rid of windows 8 because I hate it. Its just a regular windows 7 home premium disk? Will this work or will it mess up my new computer?
I think you are out of luck with the Win7 disc. You could buy an OEM Win7 Full version (64 or 32 bit). The license should cover you even if it doesn't look like it. If you decide to do so, then here is a how to downgrade from Win8 preinstalled to Win7 tutorial.

Edit: I fixed this post. For some reason, I lost my mind suddenly and referred to the Win8 System Builder disc originally rather than the OEM Win7 Full version.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
I bought a Compaq CQ58 laptop and it came with windows 8 already on it. And my last laptop was a Compaq laptop too but it fell and the hard drive broke and they sent me a new one and a windows 7 Compaq disk to reinstall on it, anyways I got rid of that laptop and was wondering if I could take the windows 7 disk I have and install it on my new laptop to get rid of windows 8 because I hate it. Its just a regular windows 7 home premium disk? Will this work or will it mess up my new computer?
I think you are out of luck with the Win7 disc. You could buy a Win8 System Builder disc and install under the personal-use license. If you think the license is confusing and you might not be eligible, then don't think about it. You are eligible to do what I suggest even if it doesn't look that way given the way the license is worded. If you decide to do so, then here is a how to downgrade from Win8 preinstalled to Win7 tutorial.

You can not use a Windows 8 key to install Windows 7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Not quite sure what you thought I meant. But, my brain went into insanity. I meant to say he could buy an OEM Win7 Full version but I got totally off track. Been up too long. Thanks for jumping in.

Edit: I corrected the post you quoted.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
I agree with the suggestions to keep using Windows 8 in what I would call "Windows 7 mode" with a product like Classic Shell. Then you can play with the Metro interface only if and when you feel like it. The only possible issue with this approach is if you have some device/printer driver or app you need that runs on Windows 7 but won't work on Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 / Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T510 / HP ProBook 4540S
    CPU
    Intel i5-510m / Intel i3-3110m
    Memory
    4GB / 8GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
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