New computer, how do I roll back to Win7?

skvets

New Member
Messages
4
I recently purchased an HP Envy touchsmart computer that came with Windows 8. I really just don't like the interface, and even with Classic Shell I find it annoying that I cant't even make a Chrome window smaller than full screen. (Literally, the only option is full screen?) Plus I really like the task bar at the bottom.

How difficult is it for me to download a copy of 7 and install it? What should I have done before I make the switch?

Any help would be appreciated. Also, not sure if in right forum or not! Sorry! :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Welcome to EightForums

1) Downgrade to Windows 7.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.


2) If Using a USB Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in 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

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Welcome to EightForums

1) Downgrade to Windows 7.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.


2) If Using a USB Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.

I don't have an internal CD drive, but a USB one, I don't think it will work, will it? I tried it and it won't figure it out. All 4 ports are USB 3. How do I work around this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
To anyone who wishes to downgrade from pre installed windows 8 to windows 7 on their hp laptop or whatever. you can without too much trouble, IF you find all the drivers specifically for your machine, now you may think finding your current drivers should be ok but that may not be the case as when you install back to windows 7 your drivers may not install correctly because they are currently compatible to windows 8, so you will have to find driver versions compatible for windows 7 or the original install packs from each brand on their website eg: amd, radeon graphics/chipset, synaptic, etc etc. but at the very least find and make sure you have the wifi adapter driver. so you may use the internet to search for the rest of your drivers. if you don't you will be left will windows 7 with generic drivers and unable to connect to the internet. OK so when you have all your drivers, you want to keep them on a seperate usb, or If you have made a bootable windows 7 usb (using rufus or windows dvd tool) you can slip a folder in there and put your drivers on it. Ok. lets say you have changed the BIOs to boot your windows 7 usb because you are ready to install. and it may ask you to insert disk again well its because you have usb 3.0 cancel then put your usb into another usb connection preferably a usb2.0 installation should go ahead. also when it comes to choosing a drive to install windows on you may delete all the other drives and create a new drive.. you may need open cmd at boot before install and clean the drive convert gtp to mrb and format and partion a primary drive etc so then you can install windows 7. OK well that's my rush explanation i hope this helps anyone in the future.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Welcome to EightForums

1) Downgrade to Windows 7.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.


2) If Using a USB Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.

I don't have an internal CD drive, but a USB one, I don't think it will work, will it? I tried it and it won't figure it out. All 4 ports are USB 3. How do I work around this?[/QUOTE
Have you gone into the BIOS a disabled Secure boot and enabled CSM, window 7 does not support secure boot.
On your Chrome have you tried installing the desktop version. and changed the default to your desktop version rather than the metro app?
USB 3.0 ports are backward compatible to 2.0 and 1.0, perhaps your thumb drive is USB 3.0?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
Welcome to EightForums

1) Downgrade to Windows 7.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.


2) If Using a USB Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.

I don't have an internal CD drive, but a USB one, I don't think it will work, will it? I tried it and it won't figure it out. All 4 ports are USB 3. How do I work around this?
USB 3.0 ports are backward compatible to 2.0 and 1.0, perhaps your thumb drive is USB 3.0?
Maybe i'm just lucky, but i've had a USB 3.0 USB plugged into a USB 3.0 port and used it to install Windows 7.... It probably just goes at 2.0 speeds, doesnt it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self build (Desktop) / Dell (Laptop)
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4690k (Desktop) / Intel Core i7 5500u (Laptop)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z97 (Desktop) / Dell (Laptop)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 (Desktop) / 16GB DDR3L (laptop)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 (Desktop) / AMD R7 M270 (Laptop)
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Pavilion 27bw
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 (Desktop) / 3840x2160 (Laptop)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 120GB
    WD Black 500GB
    WD Blue 1TB
    (Desktop)
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (Laptop)
    PSU
    Corsair 750w
    Case
    Ultra atx
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink
    Keyboard
    Razer Black Widow
    Mouse
    Roccat Kone XTD
    Internet Speed
    250Mbps Down / 20Mbps Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    ESET
I don't have an internal CD drive, but a USB one, I don't think it will work, will it? I tried it and it won't figure it out. All 4 ports are USB 3. How do I work around this?
USB 3.0 ports are backward compatible to 2.0 and 1.0, perhaps your thumb drive is USB 3.0?
Maybe i'm just lucky, but i've had a USB 3.0 USB plugged into a USB 3.0 port and used it to install Windows 7.... It probably just goes at 2.0 speeds, doesnt it?

I think so yes. Good to know that it worked
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
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