Windows 8.1 To Windows 7

MCPlayer18

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Hi, so I have windows 8.1 and I was wondering if I could downgrade to windows 7. Anything Home premium or above. For free. This came with windows 8.1 preinstalled and I have a dell windows 7 home premium recovery disk and was wondering if I could contact microsoft or use the recovery disk to downgrade. Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Inspiron M731R (5735, Late 2013)
    CPU
    1.70 GHz AMD A8 5545M Elite Quad Core
    Motherboard
    No idea
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD 8510G Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" Inch Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    500GB 6GB/s Crucial BX100 SSD
    Case
    Blue Aluminum Finish
    Cooling
    Laptop Fan (Currently Unknown Name)
    Keyboard
    Came with it
    Mouse
    Utech Smart Optical Gaming Mouse US-D4000-GM
    Browser
    Google Chrome / Safari (On my iPod and iPad)
    Antivirus
    Vipre InternetSecurity2015/MalwareBytes Anti-Malware PREMIUM
Hi,


That depends on what type of your computer is.

Some newer machines may not support to install Windows 7, like surface Pro: Check the MS kb here:
Windows 7 Setup hangs at "Starting Windows" on Surface Pro

And if your machine is good to install Windows 7, it will still need to buy a key from resellers to install Windows 7. if it is not the same computer, I don't think the recovery disk would help here.

Regards
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I think you must have a retail license for Windows 7. Windows 8.1 core doesn't include downgrade rights unlike the 8.1 pro version (note that not all 8.1 pro OEM include downgrade rights)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Pro 3
    CPU
    Core i5 4300U @ 1.9 GHz
    Motherboard
    Surface Pro 3
    Memory
    8092 MB DDR3-L 1.35 V SDRAM @ 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4400 @ 200 MHz
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in 3:2 display
    Screen Resolution
    2160 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    256 GB SSD + 128 GB micro SD
    PSU
    36 Watt power brick
    Cooling
    Active
    Keyboard
    On Screen Keyboard
    Mouse
    Surface pen
    Internet Speed
    300 / 20 TWC
    Browser
    IE 11 Metro, IE 11 Desktop
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I have a dell Inspiron M731R and my old laptop was a Dell Inspiron. Will it matter?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Inspiron M731R (5735, Late 2013)
    CPU
    1.70 GHz AMD A8 5545M Elite Quad Core
    Motherboard
    No idea
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD 8510G Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" Inch Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    500GB 6GB/s Crucial BX100 SSD
    Case
    Blue Aluminum Finish
    Cooling
    Laptop Fan (Currently Unknown Name)
    Keyboard
    Came with it
    Mouse
    Utech Smart Optical Gaming Mouse US-D4000-GM
    Browser
    Google Chrome / Safari (On my iPod and iPad)
    Antivirus
    Vipre InternetSecurity2015/MalwareBytes Anti-Malware PREMIUM
Not a good idea to use a recovery disk from one PC on another PC, even if they are from the same manufacturer. The recovery disk will load drivers for the hardware on the original PC. If it works at all. Plus its not legal. OEM licenses are not transferable. It won't activate anyway, the newer PC won't have the necessary Windows 7 code in its BIOS so the original OEM activation won't work.
 

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
But what if I buy a key to windows 7?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Inspiron M731R (5735, Late 2013)
    CPU
    1.70 GHz AMD A8 5545M Elite Quad Core
    Motherboard
    No idea
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD 8510G Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" Inch Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    500GB 6GB/s Crucial BX100 SSD
    Case
    Blue Aluminum Finish
    Cooling
    Laptop Fan (Currently Unknown Name)
    Keyboard
    Came with it
    Mouse
    Utech Smart Optical Gaming Mouse US-D4000-GM
    Browser
    Google Chrome / Safari (On my iPod and iPad)
    Antivirus
    Vipre InternetSecurity2015/MalwareBytes Anti-Malware PREMIUM
Then use the DVD that comes with the key to do a clean 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
But a computer guy said that only windows 8.1 pro has downgrade rights. Not windows 8.1 home premium
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Inspiron M731R (5735, Late 2013)
    CPU
    1.70 GHz AMD A8 5545M Elite Quad Core
    Motherboard
    No idea
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD 8510G Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" Inch Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    500GB 6GB/s Crucial BX100 SSD
    Case
    Blue Aluminum Finish
    Cooling
    Laptop Fan (Currently Unknown Name)
    Keyboard
    Came with it
    Mouse
    Utech Smart Optical Gaming Mouse US-D4000-GM
    Browser
    Google Chrome / Safari (On my iPod and iPad)
    Antivirus
    Vipre InternetSecurity2015/MalwareBytes Anti-Malware PREMIUM
It seems to me the main reason for downgrade rights was for businesses that have programs that wouldn't run on the latest version of Windows and most businesses wouldn't use the Home Premium versions due to additional features in the Pro/Business/Ultimate/Enterprise versions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WinXP, WinVista, Win7, Win8.1, Win10, Linux Mint 20
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Customs and 12 OEM/Brands
    CPU
    AMD and Intel
But a computer guy said that only windows 8.1 pro has downgrade rights. Not windows 8.1 home premium

Yes, it's only Pro and only if that OEM offers down grade rights, not all do. What is your above comment in reference to? There is no Windows 8.1 Home Premium by the way. There is 8.1 (Core) and 8.1 Pro and Enterprise etc. If you don't have down grade rights and you want to install Windows 7 you will have to buy a license for Windows 7.
 

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
There is no way to downgrade to Windows 7 free! The only way your going downgrade is to buy a Windows 7 Retail DVD and clean install Windows 7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion DV6
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 460 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 144C
    Memory
    6 GB soon to be 8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) HD Graphics (Core i5)
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Samsung HDD and Samsung 600 GB SSD
    Case
    HP metal case.
    Cooling
    Standard fan ( Does a good enough job)
    Keyboard
    HP backlit keyboard.
    Mouse
    Standard USB Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps Download and 10 Mbps Upload thru Charter High Speed Internet
    Browser
    Firefox and Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Norton Internet Security
    Other Info
    Custom Built Windows Server 2008 R2 used for storage server, DHCP server, Primary DNS server. Novell Suse Server running 2 custom built desktop that have Novell Netware installed. Samsung Note 3 (Primary Phone) and Samsung S4 (Back up phone).
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