Downgrading Windows 8 to Windows 7 (Please Help!)

nickth2009

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Earlier today I began downgrading from Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7 Professional edition. I loaded the Windows 7 image file onto my USB using Rufus and disabled safe boot from my BIOS settings. I received an error at the installation saying "Windows setup could not configure Windows to run on this computer's hardware." So I looked it up and it said I had to create custom partitions for Windows to be installed to. I erased EVERYTHING off my Hard Drive, created the partition for Windows to be installed to and received the "Windows setup could not configure Windows to run on this computer's hardware." error again. I've tried changing many BIOS settings, removing the USB before the first restart and numerous other things I've seen on other forums. I really need help as all I have it a blank hard drive and a Windows 7 install disc, I really need to get the OS up and running ASAP as I'm in the middle of a project I have to complete.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit
Hi there.

1) can you give your computers make.

2) Chances are that it's using UEFI and secure boot. If this is so you need to disable the secure boot in the BIOS. (You've already done that - but I suspect you haven't done 3) below which you need to do as well).

3) If it's UEFI you need to create a UEFI install version of Windows .

Note UEFI does not REQUIRE the secure boot feature to be enabled - but you will still need to create a UEFI install disk / media. There's a tutorial on the Windows 7 Forum on how to do that -- you'll have to search for it yourself. STANDARD install W7 WON'T WORK - you need to create UEFI version.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Hi there.

1) can you give your computers make.

2) Chances are that it's using UEFI and secure boot. If this is so you need to disable the secure boot in the BIOS. (You've already done that - but I suspect you haven't done 3) below which you need to do as well).

3) If it's UEFI you need to create a UEFI install version of Windows .

Note UEFI does not REQUIRE the secure boot feature to be enabled - but you will still need to create a UEFI install disk / media. There's a tutorial on the Windows 7 Forum on how to do that -- you'll have to search for it yourself. STANDARD install W7 WON'T WORK - you need to create UEFI version.

Cheers
jimbo

Hey thanks for the reply, I think I figured out my problem. In my BIOS settings I changed my SATA Hard Drive settings to AHCI instead of RAID and the setup completed fine, now I'm just going through the product key and PC set up screen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit
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