Downgrade Win 8 Pro to 7 Pro: Huh?

[DougoMan]

I just ordered a Windows 8 Pro Laptop that I want to downgrade to Win 7 Pro.

Reading online, I saw several articles saying Win 8 Pro had downgrade rights to Win 7 Pro.

But now reading the details, it says you need a valid Windows 7 key.

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=r1Gi8K3ORX5

So, if that's the case, you could install windows 7 on any computer! What the hell does it mean by having "downgrade rights" ??

 

[Berryracer]

Just install StartIsBack which is the best Start menu alternative for Windows 8 and you essentially have Windows 7 + the faster performance + better support for new hardware.

Only laptops that come preinstalled with Windows 8 Pro are entitled to downgrade to Windows 7 Pro.

If your laptop came preinstalled with Windows 8 Core then you are out of luck and need to purchase a Windows 7 key

 

[Dahak]

So, if that's the case, you could install windows 7 on any computer! What the hell does it mean by having "downgrade rights" ??

From the same page

Steps for an end user to downgrade Windows software

To downgrade Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 software, end users must:

Purchase a PC preinstalled with Windows software.
Accept the Microsoft Software License Terms.
Perform the downgrade process to the eligible downgrade product using the media/key from a genuine, previously licensed OEM or retail product.

Meaning if you have computer A with a valid oem or retail version of 7, you can use that to install and activate. If the automated activation fails and you have to all, you say uyou are downgrading from Win 8 Pro.

Although like 98% of the time it will activate.

 

[DougoMan]

Let me make sure I'm following. I need a disposable Windows 7 computer to take a CD key from, right?

 

[Dahak]

Yep, have to have a key from some machine with Win7 Pro

 

[DougoMan]

So how is that any different than if the computer didn't have downgrade rights? Could you normally not install a key from another computer?

 

[fire400]

if you really want to do it the legal way:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-windows-product-key#get-windows-product-key=windows-7

technically, you can install win7 with almost any key, however it will need to be activated through microsoft's activation process after proper installation.
if you know the key has been used more than once and is still being used on another computer, then it is considered illegal. certain kinds of keys should not be moved, legal-wise.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/is-it-ok-to-use-oem-windows-on-your-own-pc-dont-ask-microsoft/1561

basically, keys that came with manufacturer-cloned (oem)/assembled (system builder/oem) computers are not technically legal to move around, unless it's a retail key (sketchy, still.)

if you just want to activate your copy with a key, there are enough online sites and ebay sellers that sell keys for cheap.

also, some manufacturers have a preset windows 7 DVD with all their slipstream SATA drivers. on an acer windows 7 laptop, it was 98% impossible to reload windows 7 back onto an AMD chipset without cloning original hard drive or rebuilding a win7 DVD (had several original copies w/SATA support, sp0/sp1/oem/retail/etc. etc.), no matter what though, AMD drivers still gave me sh!t. got so damn fed up... just installed windows 8.1 x64 on it, and though it seemed inferior to windows 7 x64 performance 'cuz of "native driver" support, most of the environment was cleaner and clicky.

if you don't like the win8.1 environment, get used to it and install a classic shell (cleaner interface, personally).
i've noticed on windows 8 laptops, downgrading to windows 7, the performance is degraded, even with SSD's and new intel processors, especially going all the way back to winXP on 3rd gen Intel chipsets.

 

[Dahak]

This is what I found at Technet, you do not have to purchase a win7 key as you are going to use the Win8.1 Key.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com...e-windows-8-to-windows-7?forum=w8itproinstall

Steps for exercising Downgrade Rights as an end-user.

1. End User must accept EULA for Windows 8 Professional that is installed on their computer.

2. Restart the PC and boot off the Windows 7 Professional installation DVD. This DVD can be retail or OEM (System Builder Kit) but not any other version. I believe you can download the iso from Digital River.

3. Install Windows 7 and skip entering the product key.

4. After install, choose to activate via phone.

5. Inform the rep at the Activation Center that you are excercising Downgrade Rights.

Now at this point, the rep would ask you for the Windows 8 Product key. For this reason Retail or OEM System Builder Kit installation would be preferred because that key will be on the COA. If it is an OEM pre-installed version the product key is not on the COA, and it depends on how the OEM handles how an end-user can find what the key is.

The rep at Activation Center will use the Windows 8 key to provide the Windows 7 key the end-user can use to activate the OS.

As noted above, the edition of both Windows 8 and Windows 7 in this case must be Professional.

Now I have not done this personally so I cannot say if it works or not

 

[mirageracerx]

If you end up complaining to dell long enough they will work something out with you. HP is a bit tougher and tend to drag their feet on it more. Lenovo will make it virtually impossible.

 

[Dahak]

If you end up complaining to dell long enough they will work something out with you. HP is a bit tougher and tend to drag their feet on it more. Lenovo will make it virtually impossible.

Actually, yea, if its from Dell, HP, or Lenovo, you may be able to get recovery media for Win7.

I know for alot of the HP business units we sell, they are sold as Windows 8.1 with Win7, and they come with the media for both Win7 and Win8

 

[Phynaz]

So how is that any different than if the computer didn't have downgrade rights? Could you normally not install a key from another computer?

Not an OEM key.

 

[atguy10]

I just ordered a Windows 8 Pro Laptop that I want to downgrade to Win 7 Pro.

Reading online, I saw several articles saying Win 8 Pro had downgrade rights to Win 7 Pro.

But now reading the details, it says you need a valid Windows 7 key.

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=r1Gi8K3ORX5

So, if that's the case, you could install windows 7 on any computer! What the hell does it mean by having "downgrade rights" ??

Most of the time, the laptop will come with recovery discs for both Win 8 Pro and Win 7 Pro. You just install the Win 7 Pro discs (no key needed).

I know HP EliteBooks and ProBooks come with both.

 

[LPCTech]

Win8 is less than ideal, but for a new pc you should just use win 8.1 and install classic shell or one of the other ones. It operates just like win 7 if you do and its a faster OS under the fugly circus tiles.

 

[sonitravel09]

I am so sorry but I guess the only way to downgrade to a lower Windows 7 version is just with a clean install.

We will also most likely be able to make a clean install with a Upgrade Windows 7 using the same method as with Vista. If not, then it will just ask to insert the Vista DVD during the installation of Upgrade Windows 7 to prove that you get a copy of Vista to upgrade from.

 

[mirageracerx]

if you complain enough to dell they will ship it with windows 7 installed.