Windows 7 vs Windows 8.1 (help) :D

hakank68 · 27 Jan 2014 at 18:42

Hi,

ive recently noticed that my laptop has been slowing down quite a bit, its been just under two years since i bought it, i wanted to ask about some of the advantages 8.1 has over 7 and how you guys found it as im thinking about upgrading. I didnt like using Win8 but will the increase in speed make it worth it ?

Any help will be appreciate, thanks

Si105 · 27 Jan 2014 at 18:45

If you don't like Windows 8 probably best sticking to 7. There is no massive difference in my opinion. Perhaps you could invest in an SSD? Would make a much bigger difference.

hakank68 · 27 Jan 2014 at 19:01

ive just built s pc so i dont have the funds right now for an ssd, well a good one at least. Im thinking about saving up for a 250gb evo probably but in the short term i thought it may help having windows 8.1

theheyes · 27 Jan 2014 at 19:37

Wouldn't a fresh install of 7 be worth a shot?

KIA · 27 Jan 2014 at 21:48

Do a clean install of Win7.

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/th...t-links-Multiple-Languages-X86-amp-X64/page60

hakank68 · 27 Jan 2014 at 21:59

Thanks, im not exactly sure how its done though without buying another licence

MrAdamski · 27 Jan 2014 at 22:31

You just need to install it as normal from the iso (disk or mem stick) then enter the key. It should be on a sticker somewhere on your laptop, probably on the bottom.

Mynight · 27 Jan 2014 at 22:34

I assume its an oem liscence in which case it should be on a sticker normally at the base of the laptop. You can download win 7 from digital river for free. Burn to DVD use your liscene key and you're good to go.

Just make sure to download the right package.

If the sticker isn't there try one of these;

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/tp/topkeyfinder.htm

hakank68 · 27 Jan 2014 at 23:21

thanks everyone, i guess a fresh win7 install is best at this stage

. just noticed the sticker underneath the laptop.

Tony Williams · 28 Jan 2014 at 00:05

Windows 7 is pure desktop Windows 8 is good and 8.1 is better but they aren't hugely better than 7. I see them as touch versions. Or for a TV they are nice. I would stick with 7 although booting is faster I think on 8 and 8 has some nice sync feat

Bane · 28 Jan 2014 at 00:22

Doing a clean install instead of a manufacturer recovery install will probably speed it up too.

I recommend getting up-to-date drivers downloaded and saved on external device before format. In case Windows doesn't recognise the wireless and LAN.

What make and model is laptop? In case anyone wants to provide you links for newer drivers than what the laptop manufacturer has listed on their support page.

Edit: Worth downloading this utility SLIC_Toolkit_V3.2. When run select Advanced tab along bottom, then Backup button to obtain two files you can use to activate Windows without needing to go online. This is different to using the label on underside of laptop. One file is a text file with product key (different to label on underside of laptop) and other file has a xrm-ms extension. If you have these two files then save them.

Install Win 7 and leave product key blank. Once at desktop copy above two files to C:\
1) Open Command Prompt by right clicking it and selecting "Run as administrator"
2) Type the following in Command Prompt slmgr -ilc c:\<file name>.xrm-ms
3) Type the following in Command Prompt slmgr -ipk <product key copied from text file>
4) Type the following in Command Prompt slmgr -dli (after a while a new window will pop-up)
5) Type the following in Command Prompt slmgr -xpr
6) Type the following in COmmand Prompt slmgr -dlv

hakank68 · 30 Jan 2014 at 12:18

wow, thanks for the help bane

. will get the model posted here soon.