w8 to w7 downgrade

slim01 · 14 Jan 2014 at 15:54

hiya guys ive got someone who wants me to get a laptop, but with 100% no windows 8 or 8.1.

a lot of laptops obviously have this, and is the only way to get a good deal it seems... the win8 pro editions say you can downgrade to windows 7. but obviously laptops hardly ever come with windows cds now.

so, would I still be able to install an ssd, and install a fresh copy f w7, with none of the bloaware that comes with (eg) a dell copy of windows.
my guess is the laptop sticker will have a w8 key not 7??

thanks

Caged · 14 Jan 2014 at 15:57

You can downgrade Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7 Pro or Windows Vista Business. There's no downgrade rights with Windows 8 non-Pro.

anything I don't mind · 14 Jan 2014 at 16:08

You would have to first confirm driver support for the laptop for windows 7. Then you need to purchase windows 7 and try and wipe the windows 8 off the disk, which can be more tricky due to the boot protections windows 8 has on there.

slim01 · 14 Jan 2014 at 16:51

Caged said:
You can downgrade Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7 Pro or Windows Vista Business. There's no downgrade rights with Windows 8 non-Pro.

I know you can downgrade from w8 pro but I will need a CD to reinstall windows7 onto the SSD?... any idea if the COA sticker on laptop will have a w7 key, and I an make/burn a w7 pro disc from the laptop?

I don't want to buy windows 7, it defeats the idea of getting a reasonably cheaper win8 pc... win7 ones seem to often be more expensive than w8 pro ones.

Caged · 14 Jan 2014 at 16:53

You're on your own as far as getting the install media and license key go. The idea is that you just use a key twice and activate over the phone.

slim01 · 14 Jan 2014 at 16:53

anything I don't mind said:
You would have to first confirm driver support for the laptop for windows 7. Then you need to purchase windows 7 and try and wipe the windows 8 off the disk, which can be more tricky due to the boot protections windows 8 has on there.

would I really need to purchase win 7 even if I have downgrade rights from 8 pro? seems a waste of cash.

driver thing could be an issue, but what hardware will really work on 8 not 7? would think its the other way around as 8 is so new??

thanks for replies