Help me downgrade please

Inthemix

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Hi everyone, I'm new here and signed up in hopes that someone experienced could answer my question.

I have a Hp Dv6-2164ca laptop that had a windows 7 pre installed when it was purchased. I upgraded it to windows 8 for 39.99 but after using it for several months I really can't stand it and would like to go back to windows 7 which came on my lap top. I apologize if this was asked somewhere before.

I called HP and they said I should be able to use my recovery partition to install windows 7 back on the laptop.

What do you guys think about this, will it work and will there be any issues. And more importantly how does one do this. I know before I used to restart the pc and press f10 is it still the same procedure. Or do you have to go to some windows 8 settings.

Thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
information   Information
We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create



Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

How to use HP Recovery:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01895783&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en
Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7) | HP® Support

How to make HP Recovery DVD disks:

Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows Vista) | HP® Support


How to make HP Recovery USB disk:

Using the Downloadable USB Recovery Flash Disk Creation Utility HP Pavilion dv6700z CTO Entertainment Notebook PC | HP® Support


or

You can Order HP Recovery Disks from here:
Country-Language Selector | HP® Support
 

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
Hi theog thanks for your reply, I never made a recovery disk because there is a recovery partition on the laptop it's about 14gb.

My question more or less is will I be able to downgrade to windows 7? I read several articles that indicated that this is not possible without having downgrading rights on windows 8. So I'm not sure if this applies to me since I upgraded from 7 to 8.

Will I be able to downgrade to 7 using my recovery partition or will there be issues? And do you do it the old way where you boot up from bios or do you have to go through some process in windows 8? Sorry if this is Confusing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
You can go back to Windows 7 using the HP Recovery disc, but the HP Recovery Partition may be DISABLED by installing Windows 8.

Try & see.

Upgrade to Windows 8 with only a product key - Microsoft Windows

Microsoft said:
Make sure you’re on the PC you want to upgrade. This must be a PC that is currently running Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3), Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows 8 Consumer Preview, or Windows Developer Preview. (Windows 8 Setup checks that your PC meets all system requirements before it installs Windows 8.)

Have your product key handy. You can find it in your online order information, in the confirmation email for your purchase, or on the packaging. The product key will look something like this:
XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX

Make a backup of everything you want to keep. Save it somewhere you can get to it later, like an external drive or a DVD.
 

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
Ok thank you for your feedback, if I remember I got a new key with my windows 8 purchase. I'm not sure if it will work if I reboot the laptop and press f11 according to the Hp website. I'm not sure what to do here.... You have been great help thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
After pressing F11, there should be a wizard that you can follow.

If none of that works, you can download an official Windows 7 SP1 .iso from here. You have to burn that to a DVD and boot with the DVD. Advantage of that is that you do not get all the bloatware that is sitting in the HP recovery partition.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Hi thanks for the reply, I get a error message when I click that. Also what is bloatware? I will try the f11 recovery when I get home and I'll report back here if it works... Hopefully I don't ruin it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
Bloatware are programs that the OEMs (in your case HP) load on your system that you don't really need. It is a kind of advertisement stuff (e.g. 3 months trial programs) and they get money from the program owners for that. It just stuff up your system and some of them are tricky to uninstall.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Interesting, I have noticed programs that are pre installed like you say such as Norton anti virus and I always remove it. Do these programs (bloatware) have an effect on my computer resources if they remain on my laptop but aren't used.

Also the link (windows 7 sp1 iso) which you previously posted for me does not work. Do you recommend a different one and which key will I use to authenticate it if I was to download it?


Thanks again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
Yes the bloatware takes disk space and often they are hogging in the startups slowing down your boot and eating RAM.

The link I gave you should work. I just tested it. Try this link - maybe you have more luck.

For activation you take the key that is on the COA sticker which you find on the bottom of your laptop. Just make sure you pick the edition (e.g. Home Premium) to which this key corresponds.

PS: just checked the Dell link again and now it does not work. Maybe they do maintenance on the site.

Make sure you copy the data that you have on the Windows 8 C: partition to a safe place. Else you will lose it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Excellent that link works, I see many files so I should chose the corresponding one that matches my sticker.

I appreciate it, I will do this when I get home instead of the recovery partition.

Just to be sure.
1. Download/burn iso
2. Insert in dvd drive and reboot laptop
3. Should get a prompt? (been a while)
4. Follow instructions and at some point insert the cd key on bottom of my laptop.
5. I will do a clean install so it should wipe everything right.

I think that's it.
Thanks again for the help! I'll come back and give thanks/likes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
1a) you may have to change the BIOS boot sequence if the CD/DVD reader is not #1. On HPs I think it is by tapping ESC after power-on. That makes a temporary boot sequence change.

And when it boots, watch your screen on the top left. There may be a message: "Press any key to continue". If you don't do that, it boots into the default which is probably Windows 8 in your case.

3) You'll get a lot of prompts. But they are all pretty obvious.

For burning the .iso I always use ImgBurn. But maybe you have your own peogram.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I think I remember that, it should be set to boot from dvd but if it isn't I'll check the settings. Also thanks for the burning software, I did not have any specific one I think I was using windows media player... Or whatever is the default pop up when you enter a blank dvd (kind of a newb).

How do I verify what windows came on the laptop will it be on the sticker? I know it's x64 but not sure if it's home premium or pro.

Sorry for all the newb questions.
Thanks again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
It says on the sticker. E.g "Windows 7 Home Prem". And don't use Media Player for burning. That can burn music files but no .iso.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Before wiping the HDD, do backup the HP driver folder.
 

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
Thank you everyone for your support, I did the recovery install and it worked without any issues. I'm back on windows 7!

Thanks again.
Great support community.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
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