Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

Downgrade Windows 8 Preinstalled to Windows 7

How to Downgrade Windows 8 Preinstalled to Windows 7​

This tutorial will show you how to downgrade your Windows 8 Preinstalled with or without Secure Boot to Windows 7.

We always assume you have made your Factory Recovery Discs using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC, and made a Startup Repair CD/DVD/USB.

• Recovery Drive - Create with USB Flash Drive in Windows 8
• System Repair Disc - Create in Windows 8

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

You can order OEM Recovery disks from your OEM manufacturer's website.

You can use the Windows system image.

System Image - Create in Windows 8

Recovery Drive - Create with USB Flash Drive in Windows 8

System Repair Disc - Create in Windows 8




1) Open an elevated Power Shell in Windows 8.

2) Type confirm-SecureBootUEFI






If TRUE, your uEFI BIOS is set to Secure Boot, go to step 3 below.

If FALSE, your uEFI BIOS is not set to Secure Boot, NO need to reset uEFI BIOS. Go to step 4.



3) Reset BIOS to default, and reboot to BIOS make sure Secure Boot is disabled.
NOTE: Check your manufacturer's uEFI/BIOS firmware manual for settings.

   Note

You may also need to
Make sure CSM is ENABLED, & set to UEFI boot.

enable Boot Menu.

enable BIOS password.

Technical Note: UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube

On some OEM manufacturer's the CSM setting are

UEFI = Windows 8 only
Legacy = All OS.
UEFI & Legacy = All OS.



To install in Legacy Mode:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Help Forums
Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Startup Options Menu - Boot to in Windows 8
Secure Boot - Enable or Disable in UEFI

   Note

How to reset your UEFI Bios Firmware from Windows 8


Toshiba How-To: Resetting your UEFI Bios Firmware on Windows 8 - YouTube





NOTE: Example above, uEFI-BIOS is from a Fujitsu P400.

New AMI Fujitsu uEFI-BIOS, plus other OEM manufacturer's.




AMI | American Megatrends Inc. : Aptio® V Launch Hardware Showcase

American Megatrends Presents Showcase of Windows® 8-ready Hardware with Aptio® V UEFI BIOS Firmware at “Touch the Future with Aptio V” Launch Event

On Friday, October 5th, 2012

4) Boot from your UEFI 64-bit Windows 7 DVD or USB using the one time boot menu.

   Note

If you do not have a UEFI 64-bit Windows 7 DVD or USB, then you can create a UEFI USB using the tutorial below.

UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

5) press enter on the UEFI DVD drive




6) Follow this tutorial:


UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

   Note

For PC's with the 32gb MSATA IRST acceleration cache.
Install Windows on MSATA (SSD) Drive - Windows 7 Help Forums
Install Windows on System with MSATA and ISRT - Windows 7 Help Forums

A) Delete all partitions. (in Drive Options)





B) Remake partitions. (in Drive Options)


How to Clean the HD Drive, using Step one in this tutorial:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Forums





& than Reboot PC to install.







All Done.

DO NOT ENABLE SECURE BOOT AFTER INSTALLING WINDOWS 7, WINDOWS 7 WILL NOT BOOT.​

   Note

When dual booting with Windows 8 Preinstalled & Windows 7

Follow Step one to five in this tutorial:
Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

   Warning

If you shrink a partition before deleting the OEM Recovery partition, the partition & the new partition may be converted to Dynamic partitions.

Than follow this tutorial: (installing in uEFI mode.)
Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Enable or Disable Secure Boot in UEFI
• How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7
• How to Do a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista
• How to Delete "Windows 8" in your Dual Boot with Windows 7 or Vista
• How to Delete "Windows 7" in your Dual Boot with Windows 8
• How to Upgrade from Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, or XP to Windows 8 or 8.1
• How to Do a Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade
• How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1

 

[theog]

Nice work Ray, I'm sure this will get a lot of use.

Thank you, Dave.

 

[xameleon]

i have sucessfully downgrade to windows 7 on a sony vaio but i have a big problem because im idiot
please help me to find a solution
i cant edit bios settings or boot from other device
i install windows 7 MBR not GPT and i set on bios uefi off
i dont care if uefi is on or off just need to have access on my bios
i havent backup of windows 8 preinstalled os so i cant do anythink :/
please help me!

btw not available bios update from sony for my model

 

[theog]

i have sucessfully downgrade to windows 7 on a sony vaio but i have a big problem because im idiot
please help me to find a solution
i cant edit bios settings or boot from other device
i install windows 7 MBR not GPT and i set on bios uefi off
i dont care if uefi is on or off just need to have access on my bios
i havent backup of windows 8 preinstalled os so i cant do anythink :/
please help me!

btw not available bios update from sony for my model

Reset BIOS to default, and reboot to BIOS make sure Secure Boot is enabled.
NOTE: Check your manufacturer's uEFI BIOS manual for settings.

Reinstall your Sony Windows 8.

How to order Sony Recovery disks:

1.Go to http://servicesales.sel.sony.com.
2.Enter your computer's model number (for example, PCV-XXXX), and click List Parts and accessories.
3.Follow the online instructions to order the Recovery Media Kit.
If you are not able to access the Sony Direct Accessories and Parts Center Web site, contact a customer service representative at 1-800-488-7669.

 

[xameleon]

i have sucessfully downgrade to windows 7 on a sony vaio but i have a big problem because im idiot
please help me to find a solution
i cant edit bios settings or boot from other device
i install windows 7 MBR not GPT and i set on bios uefi off
i dont care if uefi is on or off just need to have access on my bios
i havent backup of windows 8 preinstalled os so i cant do anythink :/
please help me!

btw not available bios update from sony for my model

Reset BIOS to default, and reboot to BIOS make sure Secure Boot is enabled.
NOTE: Check your manufacturer's uEFI BIOS manual for settings.

Reinstall your Sony Windows 8.

How to order Sony Recovery disks:

1.Go to http://servicesales.sel.sony.com.
2.Enter your computer's model number (for example, PCV-XXXX), and click List Parts and accessories.
3.Follow the online instructions to order the Recovery Media Kit.
If you are not able to access the Sony Direct Accessories and Parts Center Web site, contact a customer service representative at 1-800-488-7669.

i found the solution ok!
when the laptop is off need to press the button ASSIST boots up with multichoise menu for bios-bootsettings etc

but when i try to install windows 7 64bit with uefi enable the laptop freeze on "starting windows" screen

 

[theog]

i have sucessfully downgrade to windows 7 on a sony vaio but i have a big problem because im idiot
please help me to find a solution
i cant edit bios settings or boot from other device
i install windows 7 MBR not GPT and i set on bios uefi off
i dont care if uefi is on or off just need to have access on my bios
i havent backup of windows 8 preinstalled os so i cant do anythink :/
please help me!

btw not available bios update from sony for my model

Reset BIOS to default, and reboot to BIOS make sure Secure Boot is enabled.
NOTE: Check your manufacturer's uEFI BIOS manual for settings.

Reinstall your Sony Windows 8.

How to order Sony Recovery disks:

1.Go to http://servicesales.sel.sony.com.
2.Enter your computer's model number (for example, PCV-XXXX), and click List Parts and accessories.
3.Follow the online instructions to order the Recovery Media Kit.
If you are not able to access the Sony Direct Accessories and Parts Center Web site, contact a customer service representative at 1-800-488-7669.

i found the solution ok!
when the laptop is off need to press the button ASSIST boots up with multichoise menu for bios-bootsettings etc

but when i try to install windows 7 64bit with uefi enable the laptop freeze on "starting windows" screen

NOTE: Check your manufacturer's uEFI BIOS manual for settings.

 

[JJG]

Thank you very much for the post. I am ready to under take the project in a few hours. But before I do I would like to know something.

Will the resulting Win 7 installation be able to boot bootable Cd's, usb devices and so forth? On a new HP envy h8-1414, the installed Win 8 will not.

Thank you very much.

 

[theog]

Thank you very much for the post. I am ready to under take the project in a few hours. But before I do I would like to know something.

Will the resulting Win 7 installation be able to boot bootable Cd's, usb devices and so forth? On a new HP envy h8-1414, the installed Win 8 will not.

Thank you very much.

Welcome to EightForums.

Your Windows 8 will boot Windows Live CD's.


Will your Windows Live CD boot with Secure Boot.

Tested on a Fujitsu P400

MSDaRT8x64 CD-enabled-YES, Disabled-YES

Windows 8 Repair x64 CD-enabled-NO, Disabled-YES (when made on a non-uEFI BIOS & Secure Boot)

Windows 8 Repair x64 CD-enabled-Yes, Disabled-YES (when made on a uEFI BIOS & Secure Boot)

Windows Defender Offline Cd-enabled-NO, Disabled-YES

Norton Recovery CD-enabled-NO, Disabled-YES

Paragon 11 CD-enabled-NO, Disabled-YES

Partition wizard Cd-enabled-NO, Disabled-YES

 

[JJG]

Thank you.

Don't really know the answer to that question. Am not sure I even know what a Windows Live Cd is But it will not a boot True Image Recovery Disk, Paragon Recovery Disk, Partition Wizard Recovery Disk (all created under Win7) or Window 7 Installation Disk. It keeps giving the 'Secure Boot Violation' . If I disable Secure Boot the CD drive doesn't show up in the Boot Order Choices.

But it will boot the Win 8 installation disk.

 

[theog]

Thank you.

Don't really know the answer to that question. Am not sure I even know what a Windows Live Cd is But it will not a boot True Image Recovery Disk, Paragon Recovery Disk, Partition Wizard Recovery Disk (all created under Win7) or Window 7 Installation Disk. It keeps giving the 'Secure Boot Violation' . If I disable Secure Boot the CD drive doesn't show up in the Boot Order Choices.

NOTE: Check your manufacturer's uEFI BIOS manual for settings.

 

[JJG]

Would be happy to do just that but HP provides no such manual. Maybe I can find one on the HP site so I will go looking.

Thanks again.

 

[Hopachi]

Would be happy to do just that but HP provides no such manual. Maybe I can find one on the HP site so I will go looking.

Thanks again.

I hear HP?
Got the same stuff here.

All those CD's are MBR (classic: something we used since now => they call it legacy...)

Go to BIOS (hit F10) -> boot options and enable legacy mode (or something like that , it has sub-items cd included) then restart and the cd's will be on the boot list (hit F9 at startup).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Important:
Don't forget to disable legacy and re-enable UEFI after you're finished with the (legacy) CD's or your Win7/8 UEFI won't be able to boot anymore.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only UEFI cd's will boot in UEFI mode and with secure boot turned off, all other (most part) cd's won't boot only in legacy mode.
Ok, It's the last time I said legacy (in this post).

 

[JJG]

Would be happy to do just that but HP provides no such manual. Maybe I can find one on the HP site so I will go looking.

Thanks again.

I hear HP?
Got the same stuff here.

All those CD's are MBR (classic: something we used since now => they call it legacy...)

Go to BIOS (hit F10) -> boot options and enable legacy mode (or something like that , it has sub-items cd included) then restart and the cd's will be on the boot list (hit F9 at startup).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Important:
Don't forget to disable legacy and re-enable UEFI after you're finished with the (legacy) CD's or your Win7/8 UEFI won't be able to boot anymore.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only UEFI cd's will boot in UEFI mode and with secure boot turned off, all other (most part) cd's won't boot only in legacy mode.
Ok, It's the last time I said legacy (in this post).

Thank you Hopachi.

With yours and Theog's help I now know why the CD's wouldn't boot but now I know how to make them do so.

 

[theog]

You are welcome.

 

[Hopachi]

Alright.
You're welcome.

 

[sumitletsrock]

Would be happy to do just that but HP provides no such manual. Maybe I can find one on the HP site so I will go looking.

Thanks again.

I hear HP?
Got the same stuff here.

All those CD's are MBR (classic: something we used since now => they call it legacy...)

Go to BIOS (hit F10) -> boot options and enable legacy mode (or something like that , it has sub-items cd included) then restart and the cd's will be on the boot list (hit F9 at startup).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Important:
Don't forget to disable legacy and re-enable UEFI after you're finished with the (legacy) CD's or your Win7/8 UEFI won't be able to boot anymore.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only UEFI cd's will boot in UEFI mode and with secure boot turned off, all other (most part) cd's won't boot only in legacy mode.
Ok, It's the last time I said legacy (in this post).

DEAR SIR,i followed your whole procedure,everything was ok,but when I was asked to select the hard disk drive to install windows 7,the error was something like "it can't be installed because it is gpt style partition"................

so what to do now SIR.........

 

[theog]

DEAR SIR,i followed your whole procedure,everything was ok,but when I was asked to select the hard disk drive to install windows 7,the error was something like "it can't be installed because it is gpt style partition"................

so what to do now SIR.........

This is not a error, it is warning in case you do not have a uEFI BIOS or using uEFI BIOS mode .

 

[sumitletsrock]

DEAR SIR,i followed your whole procedure,everything was ok,but when I was asked to select the hard disk drive to install windows 7,the error was something like "it can't be installed because it is gpt style partition"................

so what to do now SIR.........

This is not a error, it is warning in case you do not have a uEFI BIOS or using uEFI BIOS mode .

SIR I have a uefi bios........you can check it sir........
its HP ENVY DV6 7207 tx ,sir can you help me what to do now please????

 

[theog]

DEAR SIR,i followed your whole procedure,everything was ok,but when I was asked to select the hard disk drive to install windows 7,the error was something like "it can't be installed because it is gpt style partition"................

so what to do now SIR.........

This is not a error, it is warning in case you do not have a uEFI BIOS or using uEFI BIOS mode .

SIR I have a uefi bios........you can check it sir........
its HP ENVY DV6 7207 tx ,sir can you help me what to do now please????

Step 6, screenshot A, click on NEXT.

 

[sumitletsrock]

This is not a error, it is warning in case you do not have a uEFI BIOS or using uEFI BIOS mode .

SIR I have a uefi bios........you can check it sir........
its HP ENVY DV6 7207 tx ,sir can you help me what to do now please????

Step 6, screenshot A, click on NEXT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH SIR.............but my recovery drive will be lost in this process......
AND SIR CAN YOU EXPLAIN ME IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED step 6, screenshot A, what is occupying the drive 0 partition 2???????
thanx for the above help again sir...........YOU ARE LIKE MY SUPERMAN whilst solving my problems.............

 

[theog]

SIR I have a uefi bios........you can check it sir........
its HP ENVY DV6 7207 tx ,sir can you help me what to do now please????

Step 6, screenshot A, click on NEXT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH SIR.............but my recovery drive will be lost in this process......
AND SIR CAN YOU EXPLAIN ME IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED step 6, screenshot A, what is occupying the drive 0 partition 2???????
thanx for the above help again sir...........YOU ARE LIKE MY SUPERMAN whilst solving my problems.............

Take looke at the first note in the tutorial, (We always assume you have made your Factory Recovery Discs)

Take a look at step 6 (Follow this tutorial)
screenshot A, (delete all partitions)
B ( remake patitions)