www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Someone has asked me to remove Windows 8 from a lappy (make/model unknown at this time) and install a 'lower' version (as yet undecided but presumed to be Windows 7).

Having never used a Win8 system is there anything incorporated in a Win8 hardware platform that WON'T work under win7? or are there any issues that may crop up?

A quick scout around the interweb reveals the process to be far from simple so anyone with prior knowledge or experience of such a move would be useful to be heard from.

If you have a spare HDD, install the "lower" OS onto that and try it with the hardware to see if it works. Then if it does, you are laughing, if not you haven't messed anything up, and you can experiment with the spare.

Will be fine.

Make will help, but I can save you hassle with regards to licencing - Win7 free.

Shattered, so off to bed. Will reply in morning unless someone beats me to it (with my top advice)._

Bg

K_E,

What's the make/model and most importantly, what SKU of Windows 8 - is it Windows 8 or Windows 8 PRO?

Cheers,

BG

OK, the lappy is now with me for a de-OS to Win7. It's an Asus Sonic Master

any issues I need to be aware of?

Which version of Windows K_E - Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro?

which model too - there are quite a few!

BG

BG it's a K56CA and all I can find out is that it's got Windows 8 on it (it doesn't say anything else unless you can tell me where to look??? In Control panel - system it's just Windows 8 ). 64-bit i3-3217U, 1.8GHz

I was hoping it's Pro, it would have said on System Properties. They offer 'downgrade rights' where you get a free Windows 7 key (pro) - this isn't offered on Windows 8 (non-pro).

Machine seems to be fully Windows 7 X64 compatible, with all drivers. http://www.asus.com/Notebooks_Ultrabook ... t_Download

I'd run a full backup to disk/HDD in case they want to get back to Windows 8 later - saves a lot of time/expense. Will need an external HDD, as the image will be rather large.

K_E, can you PM me serial number privately? I've got an idea, but not sure it will fly.

BG

There's no licence sticker on the unit - where can I find the number you want?

OK, think I've sussed it - PM'd

Bloody Win8

wrong one

after PC serial number :)

BG

Why remove Windows8. It's exciting ploughing through all the glitches that occur. Seriously W8 is not bad at all. It's just like learning to ride a bike over again.

frisbie wrote:Why remove Windows8. It's exciting ploughing through all the glitches that occur. Seriously W8 is not bad at all. It's just like learning to ride a bike over again.

Tell me your kidding??

You'd have thought with their experience (and the length of time between OS releases), that they'd have at least a chance of getting it right first time??

As mentioned elsewhere, Micro$oft seem good at the 'good-then-bad' Os releases. Win8 is definitely a dog.

I know people like to hate on 8.1, but most people haven't really given it much of a chance. 8.1 is amazing.

I use 8.1 Pro on my Surface Pro 2 and my desktop, and the convenience in the Windows ecosystem is brilliant.

8.1 does everything Win 7 does, but 8.1 boots faster and supports the latest version of Direct X, which Windows 7 does not.

It's easy to install a third party start menu to get a more traditional Windows experience (I use Start8), and the new start menu is great for placing shortcuts.