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Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 4:11 pm
by Firefly
I wonder if anyone can help me please. My laptop is in need of replacement but I want to retain windows seven. The laptop I am considering comes with Windows 8, I would like to remove this and replace with 7, does anyone know if this is possible, and would it be difficult ?
Thanks
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 5:04 pm
by ApusApus
You should be able to download it from the Microsoft website or you can just Google Windows 7 downloads.
Shane
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 5:35 pm
by Firefly
Shane
Thank you for that, do I uninstall 8 first ?
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 7:33 pm
by J B
Try this, but you *may* have issues with licence numbers
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/16 ... ral%20Tips
Is it just the look of W8 that you don't like?
If so, you could just install
http://www.classicshell.net/
which makes a W8/10 pc look like W7

Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 8:44 pm
by Dominic
A couple of years ago I had a Windows 8 laptop I downgraded to Windows 7. It basically involved wiping the hard disk and installing Windows 7 fresh.
The only thing I had to ensure was that the laptop had drivers for Windows 7. Download them first, and save them to a usb stick. You may also have to change a BIOS setting to allow you to overwrite the OS.
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 3:33 pm
by Firefly
Thank guys for the advice, sorry but my level of knowledge is not sufficient for the more technical actions, but RW and JB may well have the answer for me.
RW
Yes It's a new computer with windows 8 installed.
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 3:55 pm
by Firefly
RW
Thank you and no you haven't, I understand what you're saying, but I seemed that people who upgraded to 10 wished they hadn't. So yes maybe a laptop with windows 10 already installed maybe the way to go. I'll see what's out there.
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 4:09 pm
by Firefly
Yes thanks RW, I will.
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 5:22 pm
by ApusApus
Road Warrior wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2017 4:07 pm
Would definitely recommend Win10 factory fit, over the upgrade option:)
Have a "google" and see what other users think.
Have to agree don't go for the upgrade option, I did & ended up going back to Windows 7!
Shane
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 5:49 pm
by Firefly
Right, I will have my new computer tomorrow with Windows 10 installed on it, do I still need to install classicshell to make it look like 7, or will it resemble 7 anyway does anyone know please ?
Thanks
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 12:21 am
by J B
AS RW says, some get used to the W10 start menu, but other grumpies like me prefer to install Classic Shell to be like W7

Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 8:19 am
by trevnhil
When I get a new laptop I assume it will be loaded with Windows 10. I will give it a go and persevere with it but I am certainly used to and happy with Windows 7. So I too may be installing 'Classic Shell'
Trev..
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 9:11 am
by Dominic
I personally like Windows 10.
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:54 am
by Firefly
Thanks R W and J B, always good advice, I'll give 10 a go and see, but maybe I'll end up with classicshell.
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 7:15 pm
by J B
Firefly wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:54 am
Thanks R W and J B, always good advice, I'll give 10 a go and see, but maybe I'll end up with classicshell.
Just remember, with all those irritating 'tiles' on your desktop - if you don't want them on there, just right click and select 'remove from desktop' (I think that's what it says, but can't replicate it on my system)
It won't uninstall the programs, just the 'tile' which is like a 'shortcut' in W7

Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 1:26 pm
by Firefly
J B and R W
Thanks very much for the advice. I am going to, hopefully

set up my new computer today.
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 5:24 pm
by Firefly
Well, it's not going to plan ! No icons, no smart screen, and no way can I log in to Amazon UK. I enter all the correct details for Amazon UK, then they say I have to prove it's me by entering a code sent to my email address, ok so far, access my email, note code, and return to Amazon, enter code, message says wrong code, I have repeated this with 5 different codes, and right now I'm at this stage

Please guys, can you help me ?
Just thankful that I could access PL !
Thanks
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 6:17 pm
by Firefly
Hi RW and thank you.
Yes Amazon from my browser, but I was just about to post that I eventually found an 0800 number for them, rare as hens teeth, and they sorted it out for me. When I boot it, I get a picture of a seashore, then it takes me to a picture of what I can only describe as fronds of grass, with a bar at the bottom that I can click on various things e.g. Chrome or Internet Explorer.
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 5:05 pm
by Firefly
RW
Glad it's good news, I'll have a go, thanks again.
Jackie
Re: Can I Change Windows 8 for 7
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 1:42 pm
by Firefly
J B
I note that you have installed classicshell, was it all straight forward ? I dislike 10, and am having difficulty finding my way around it, if I install classic shell, will it look like 7 immediately ? Thanks for any info.
Jackie