How to downgrade UEFI W8 laptop to W7

robilong

New Member
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7
Please advice.
Lenovo B575e notebook.

I need to install Windows 7 to factory preinstalled Windows 8 Lenovo UEFI laptop.
Installation media W7 Pro OEM DVD from internal DVD drive.
Likely there is no need to restore Windows 8 later - so just a clean Windows 7 installation.

Is it correct just to Disable Secure boot in Bios?
Or is there something else requirements?

On BIOS security tab there is also "Reset to Setup Mode" and Restore Factory Keys.

Thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
Can't UEFI BIOS PC boot and install from W7 DVD

Thanks for the link - a great tutorial.

But what does UEFI stands for - can't it boot from normal Windows 7 DVD and install Win 7?

May it be that there is a BIOS selection to bypass or switch off UEFI?

Thanks.

PS There is Startup menu and selection UEFI/Legacy boot - does the last "Legacy only" means that UEFI Boot installation media is not required?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface.

You can install Windows 7 as either a Legacy install or UEFI install because your BIOS supports both methods.

I cannot tell you exactly how to configure your BIOS for either install but I can only image that if you set your BIOS to defaults it should let you do either. Once done, if you invoke the boot menu on power up (F12 maybe?), you should be presented with an option to select two optical device options as follows:

1-Optical Device Name
2-UEFI Optical Device Name

If you select 1 it should proceed with a Legacy (non-UEFI) installation
If you select 2 it should proceed with a UEFI installation

However, if you are looking for someone to walk you through this entire sequence then I am not the right person for the job. I have already pointed you to the correct tutorial and now I have given you a bit more insight as to how other things might work but I would caution you to have your factory restore discs ready if things go wrong because you will be wiping that partition structure clean as part of the new installation process and there will be no way back without those discs. Now, if you don't see those options (as I described) on your boot menu, then you will have to break out your owner's manual for additional information. This is all the information I can give you from afar and I hope it has helped you. Good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
PS There is Startup menu and selection UEFI/Legacy boot - does the last "Legacy only" means that UEFI Boot installation media is not required?

I must be getting old but I could swear that PS was not there on your original post. So, if it was not, next time, don't update your original post. Instead, please post it as a new question. Anyway, the Windows 7 DVD should be capable of doing either a UEFI or Legacy install; therefore, your installation option will direct the installer accordingly. So, "Legacy only" will start a non-UEFI installation. Good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html

You need to do all of the step 3 first.


theog said:
3) Reset BIOS to default, and reboot to BIOS make sure Secure Boot is disabled.
Make sure CSM is ENABLED, & set to UEFI boot.
NOTE: Check your manufacturer's uEFI BIOS manual for settings.


Boot the Windows 7 x64 DVD in UEFI mode.

Windows 8 Downgrade-006 SB for posting.PNG
 

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,

Great information but I'm not sure the OP has made a final decision as to which way he really wants to go (UEFI or Legacy) with his installation. So, are you recommending UEFI is the only way he should go?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hi Theog,

Great information but I'm not sure the OP has made a final decision as to which way he really wants to go (UEFI or Legacy) with his installation. So, are you recommending UEFI is the only way he should go?

NO,
Legacy is over 25 years old, UEFI is about 20 year old.
 

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,

Great information but I'm not sure the OP has made a final decision as to which way he really wants to go (UEFI or Legacy) with his installation. So, are you recommending UEFI is the only way he should go?

Thanks.
I disabled UEFI boot and picked from BIOS Legacy only as I believe this is a more fool proof and stable solution.
Installed from Windows 7 DVD, deleted all w8 partitions and created one new one.

Now it looks like W7 works normally, except I'm still struggling with drivers, because all manufacturer consider an important part of a game not to provide sufficient info, where and what exactly is packed. So after video, audio and network drivers there still are 5 unknown devices.

Thank you.

PS. It looks like there are also occasions, when ordinary W7 64 bit installation DVD has to be converted into UEFI boot media.
like in this description http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
PS. It looks like there are also occasions, when ordinary W7 64 bit installation DVD has to be converted into UEFI boot media.
like in this description http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html

The DVD Media you purchased should have both. I think you are making reference to what to do if you don't have the DVD Media.

See the instruction for a straight Windows 7 installation:
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Help Forums

This might make it a bit more clear.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
robilong said:
PS. It looks like there are also occasions, when ordinary W7 64 bit installation DVD has to be converted into UEFI boot media.
like in this description
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html


Can you make a quote.

The link in quotes above.
Below is copy paste from the link.

[QUOTE)
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[/QUOTE]

It leaves an opinion like there is no other way to go but one has to boot from UEFI boot media.
(If a correct statement, then my Lenovo is excluded, because it appeared still to support Legacy boot)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
Hey robilong,

Did you get it all working? Did the guidance provided by the tutorial, Theog and myself help you get through all your issues?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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