Help!!DG Pre Installed Windows 8 to Windows 7 & Keep Files

K

KSS1

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Hi EightForum users!
I just need help and wondered if any of you guys could help me out...
My Acer Aspire Desktop, came with Windows 8 Pre Installed, and i have been using it for over a year now with Windows 8 so i have a lot of files.
I never liked Windows 8, but I didn't think of downgrading...
Anyway...can anyone tell me how to Downgrade PreInstalled Windows 8 to windows 7 and keep off my files?
I have two 1TB HDDs.
So if i transfer everything to HDD2(D Drive), then do a clean install on the HDD1 (C Drive)
Would I be able to copy everything back over from the HDD2?

A quick reply would be extremely appreciated

Thanks
-KSS1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Document, pictures, videos, music etc, yes, Copy what you want saved to your external drive. Then just put them in the respective folders on the new install and Windows will find them. Programs will almost certainly have to be reinstalled. You might get lucky and find one of two that work but that would be an exception. Most installed programs have multiple entries in the Windows registry that won't be there on the new install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
My recommendation, stay with Windows 8 (not an answer to your question though):

Windows 8 can be a bit difficult to use compared to Windows 7. It can be tamed though.

Start Button:
If you install Classic Shell (free) or Stardock's Start8 ($4.99) or similar software then you can have the Start button as it was in Windows 7 and boot directly to the Desktop. You can still play with Metro stuff but it's not forced on you.

Windows 7 Gadgets:
Windows 7 Gadgets are also available if you want them: 8GadgetPack - Gadgets for Windows 8

UAC:
I find UAC extremely annoying. If you do too then to (mostly) disable UAC, Press Windows key + R to open the Run window.
Type msconfig and press Enter.
Click on the Tools tab.
Select Change UAC settings and click Launch.
Move the slider all the way to the bottom then click OK.
Some parts of UAC will still be alive, so to completely disable it you need to change a registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Key: EnableLUA
Set the value to 0

You cannot use any Metro Apps or the App Store when UAC is disabled. If you've gone this far, you can also disable all hot corners so you will not get any of the Windows Charms popups. Just check the Classic Shell and Start8 options to do this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Hi guys, thanks for your quick response, My two HDDs are internal so i have 2TB built in my PC,
HDD1 has windows installed.
Ztruder-
Thanks for you suggestion but i want to downgrade as some of my programs crash a lot on Windows 8, but work fine on Windows 7,
I have looked online for a solution, but no one can fix it.

Anyway... surely if I download all setups for my important programs, then transfer them onto the HDD2, do the clean install to HDD1, then i can transfer them back and then install it?
Would i have to get drivers for my GPU, CPU, Network Card, etc?

I'm a noob when it comes to these things, but I know a lot about computers, but this has me stumpted..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Would i have to get drivers for my GPU, CPU, Network Card, etc?
Click to expand...

You will need Windows 7 x64 Drivers.

Thanks for you suggestion but i want to downgrade
Click to expand...


YES & NO, down to your UEFI/BIOS firmware setting.

Welcome to EightForums

As this is a OEM manufacturer's PC with Pre-installed Windows 8.

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.

Make sure you read the NOTE at Step three.

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.


You will need to buy 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
IF you want to experiment, LapLink sells a range of products that let you "migrate" a Windows installation from one PC to another, including from one OS version to another. You install it on the "source PC" (in this case, your Win8 install), run the app to collect what you want to migrate, save the resulting file to an external drive, install Win7 on your PC, install the app, run it and point it to the saved collection -- and reinstall from there. You might have to reactivate some apps, but for the most part, they'll be ready to use. You should check out their website, if you're interested.
 

My Computer

System One

Thanks guys, I might research some more, and if i need to i will buy a 1TB External HDD so i can keep my data....
I really appreciate your help.
Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
KSS1 said:
Hi EightForum users!
I just need help and wondered if any of you guys could help me out...
My Acer Aspire Desktop, came with Windows 8 Pre Installed, and i have been using it for over a year now with Windows 8 so i have a lot of files.
I never liked Windows 8, but I didn't think of downgrading...
Anyway...can anyone tell me how to Downgrade PreInstalled Windows 8 to windows 7 and keep off my files?
I have two 1TB HDDs.
So if i transfer everything to HDD2(D Drive), then do a clean install on the HDD1 (C Drive)
Would I be able to copy everything back over from the HDD2?

A quick reply would be extremely appreciated

Thanks
-KSS1
Click to expand...

I would suggest that before you downgrade (some call it an upgrade), you should install Windows 8.1 from the "Store" and then install the Windows 8.1 Update from Windows Update. You might be surprised at how much improvement has been built in for those of us who hated Windows 8 on sight.

I adjusted (doesn't mean you will) to Windows 8 and although I did, things got incrementally better with Windows 8.1 and finally, Windows 8.1 Update.

Just a suggestion before you decide to jump off into the deep end . . .

Edit: Oops, when you upgrade to Windows 8.1 through the Store, Windows 8.1 Update is automatically included, so only one step to figure out if you like Windows 8.1 Update any better. I found out about the "double update" by updating my laptop Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 through the Store.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
When you download and install Windows 8.1 from the store, it already includes update 1. Just did this yesterday.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
KSS1 said:
I did the update. Havent seen any differences
Click to expand...

OK, if you don't like it, the information you've requested has been given above.

Also, I would advise using something like the free Macrium Reflect Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download to create an image of your computer before you go to Windows 7. Also, I'd use Belarc Advisor free Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit, for software, hardware and security configuration information on your computer. Software license management, IT asset management, cyber security audits, and more. to get the Product key.

This way, in the event you decide in the future to use Windows 8, you will be able to reinstall it on your system. Just as an FYI, you won't be permitted to reinstall Windows 8 on anything other than this particular system because it's an OEM.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
To verify you have update 1, switch to the Metro desktop. Press Windows key + T. That should give you the Taskbar at the bottom of the Metro screen. This is new with update 1.

MetroDesktopwithTaskbar.jpg

Also new is the Power and Search icons at the top right of the window.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
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