Switching to an earlier version of Windows

Dangerous_Dave · 11 Aug 2014 at 14:09

Hi all,

I have an Asus N56VM in which I have an SSD running windows 7. Fancying the slightly faster CPU and the GT650M in the Asus N56VZ, I bought that and would like simply to switch my SSD into the new laptop. The new laptop is currently running windows 8, but I was thinking since they're almost identical it wouldn't notice the switcheroo and would just run the windows 7 SSD. Unfortunately it isn't doing - it's giving me a boot security warning, and then when I bypass that, it tells me it can't boot for some reason and to insert the installation disk and do a repair yatter yatter.

Is there anything I can do to make it work without completely reinstalling windows?

Cheers

Reznor · 11 Aug 2014 at 14:56

At a guess try disabling Secure Boot in the bios on the new laptop

linktoinsanity · 11 Aug 2014 at 14:59

The Windows 8 license is tied to the new laptop, whilst the Windows 7 license is tied to the old laptop.

You'll have to do a reinstall I am afraid and put Windows 8 onto the SSD.

If you don't like the new interface, install Classic Shell, Start8 or Startisback (last two are paid for, though I prefer Startisback to other offerings) and you will get the start menu back. This will basically make Windows 8 a tweaked version of Windows 7.

Please note there may be ways around this, but technically to stay fully licensed you'll have to make sure the Windows version is correct.

Dangerous_Dave · 11 Aug 2014 at 14:59

Tried that - that leads me to the second problem.

Dangerous_Dave · 11 Aug 2014 at 15:01

linktoinsanity said:
The Windows 8 license is tied to the new laptop, whilst the Windows 7 license is tied to the old laptop.

You'll have to do a reinstall I am afraid and put Windows 8 onto the SSD.

If you don't like the new interface, install Classic Shell, Start8 or Startisback (last two are paid for, though I prefer Startisback to other offerings) and you will get the start menu back. This will basically make Windows 8 a tweaked version of Windows 7.

Yeah, the HDD windows 8 had the classic shell. Looks pretty decent. I was just hoping to avoid all the file moving around.