topic Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1? in Electronics

Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

LilacTree — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 17:53:57 GMT

I have googled this and found many different suggestions, some of which require a Windows 7 installation CD, which I do not have.

AND there are warnings that the results are not 100% effective with all installed programs, some of which won't work with Windows 7. The one good thing I have found is that one can always upgrade back up to 8/8.1. I just don't know if I want to take this on.

Just wondering if anyone here has done it and is happy with the results. Thanks!!

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

LilacTree — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 19:05:57 GMT

Forget this question. I just talked to Premier Tech Support, and downgrading to Win 7 would nullify all the warranties on this computer. They do not recommend it, nor do they support it. If I tried it (and it is possible), I would have to purchase a Windows 7 installation CD and make a lot of changes to the Registry, and I am not up to that.

I may give this computer to one of my grandchildren after I look into buying a desktop computer with Windows 7 on it.

I really despise this half-breed OS (made originally for iPad-type products) so much that it has ruined my enjoyment of working with computers for the last 30+ years. Ugh!!

Sorry . . . rant over.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

chickenbutt — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 19:10:19 GMT

Oh our Win8.1 computers I just installed Classic Shell (classicshell.net) and changed the look, getting rid of that silly tile page and making it where I could find things again. Except that first screen before I log onto windows (it's just a big swirl of colors with the time and date on it), I don't even feel like I'm using Win8.

Aside from that ridiculous tile thing, I just mainly didn't like that it was such a pain to find anything. Then, you'd find yourself on some page and couldn't figure out how to get out of it. Now I have the start button/menu and all the categories where I'm used to finding them. No silly tiles either. You still CAN access that page, but I have no interest in it.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

LilacTree — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 19:35:27 GMT

On 9/29/2014 chickenbutt said:
Oh our Win8.1 computers I just installed Classic Shell (classicshell.net) and changed the look, getting rid of that silly tile page and making it where I could find things again. Except that first screen before I log onto windows (it's just a big swirl of colors with the time and date on it), I don't even feel like I'm using Win8.

Aside from that ridiculous tile thing, I just mainly didn't like that it was such a pain to find anything. Then, you'd find yourself on some page and couldn't figure out how to get out of it. Now I have the start button/menu and all the categories where I'm used to finding them. No silly tiles either. You still CAN access that page, but I have no interest in it.

I was able to get my old Windows Desktop back with my shortcuts, and never use the tiles either. I just hate that so many programs, even printing, is so different. I feel lost when I'm even trying to download a photograph to my email!! It feels as though I have to do it differently each time. Those things were second nature to me before.

I am so sorry I purchased this computer (or any computer with this awful OS). It's not the computer's fault obviously. I wanted the system upgrades and didn't research enough into the Windows 8/8.1 "technology" which, had I done that, I would have waited until the next generation came along . . . God only knows what that will be. It's possible I may never be comfortable with any computer ever again.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

glb613 — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 19:42:56 GMT

The main problem is finding drivers for the hardware installed. Since I don't know the specs of your computer, I can't say for sure if there are Windows 7 drivers for you to download. If having tech support is important to you and installing Windows 7 will void the warranty, don't do it.

Try installing the classic shell and see if it makes things better. One thing I learned early on, use the Windows key to get back to the desktop or tile page.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

LilacTree — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:05:46 GMT

On 9/29/2014 glb613 said:
The main problem is finding drivers for the hardware installed. Since I don't know the specs of your computer, I can't say for sure if there are Windows 7 drivers for you to download. If having tech support is important to you and installing Windows 7 will void the warranty, don't do it.

Try installing the classic shell and see if it makes things better. One thing I learned early on, use the Windows key to get back to the desktop or tile page.

Yes, I learned that very early on also. I never use the tiles and think they are really stupid.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

chickenbutt — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:29:35 GMT

On 9/29/2014 Ford1224 said:
On 9/29/2014 chickenbutt said:
Oh our Win8.1 computers I just installed Classic Shell (classicshell.net) and changed the look, getting rid of that silly tile page and making it where I could find things again. Except that first screen before I log onto windows (it's just a big swirl of colors with the time and date on it), I don't even feel like I'm using Win8.

Aside from that ridiculous tile thing, I just mainly didn't like that it was such a pain to find anything. Then, you'd find yourself on some page and couldn't figure out how to get out of it. Now I have the start button/menu and all the categories where I'm used to finding them. No silly tiles either. You still CAN access that page, but I have no interest in it.

I was able to get my old Windows Desktop back with my shortcuts, and never use the tiles either. I just hate that so many programs, even printing, is so different. I feel lost when I'm even trying to download a photograph to my email!! It feels as though I have to do it differently each time. Those things were second nature to me before.

I am so sorry I purchased this computer (or any computer with this awful OS). It's not the computer's fault obviously. I wanted the system upgrades and didn't research enough into the Windows 8/8.1 "technology" which, had I done that, I would have waited until the next generation came along . . . God only knows what that will be. It's possible I may never be comfortable with any computer ever again.

Well, at least things seem to work fine. It's just so different. I actually tried to get rid of ALL the tiles that I didn't want there and many of them could not be deleted or uninstalled. When I first pulled up the computer (for the very first time) it took a bit because it was installing all these 'apps'. How about letting US decide which apps we want. I didn't want 98% of that stuff.

I think one complaint I have is that with each newer technology there are more and more things that you cannot customize to YOUR use. If I pay for the computer I wouldn't mind being able to have most things the way I want them.

Almost every time I go to shut down the Win8.1 computer it says that some app is still going, etc, and it takes a few moments to shut down. The little icon always looks the same and you cannot even find out what 'app' is slowing things down. it just seems odd to me. But I'm doing fine, especially with changing things so that I can find everything and not see those tiles. I did get rid of a bunch of them, though.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

Marybella — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:10:40 GMT

I did the classic shell, also and it makes it much easier to use. But, how do you get rid of the "swipe" action on the screen?

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

chickenbutt — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:18:03 GMT

On 9/29/2014 Marybella said:
I did the classic shell, also and it makes it much easier to use. But, how do you get rid of the "swipe" action on the screen?

Is that the stuff that comes up along the right side of the screen sometimes when you go to scroll on a page? I tried to figure out how to get rid of that for a while and finally, for what's left of my sanity, just let it go. It still irks me, though. I tend to work quickly and when I bring my cursor over to the right to scroll I end up having to bring it back away until that qrap goes away. Silly!

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

Marybella — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:26:50 GMT

On 9/29/2014 chickenbutt said:
On 9/29/2014 Marybella said:
I did the classic shell, also and it makes it much easier to use. But, how do you get rid of the "swipe" action on the screen?

Is that the stuff that comes up along the right side of the screen sometimes when you go to scroll on a page? I tried to figure out how to get rid of that for a while and finally, for what's left of my sanity, just let it go. It still irks me, though. I tend to work quickly and when I bring my cursor over to the right to scroll I end up having to bring it back away until that qrap goes away. Silly!

Yes, when I use the touch-pad to move my cursor from right to left, that stuff pops up and I have to click an extra time to get rid of it. Annoying!

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

chickenbutt — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:42:28 GMT

On 9/29/2014 Marybella said:
On 9/29/2014 chickenbutt said:
On 9/29/2014 Marybella said:
I did the classic shell, also and it makes it much easier to use. But, how do you get rid of the "swipe" action on the screen?

Is that the stuff that comes up along the right side of the screen sometimes when you go to scroll on a page? I tried to figure out how to get rid of that for a while and finally, for what's left of my sanity, just let it go. It still irks me, though. I tend to work quickly and when I bring my cursor over to the right to scroll I end up having to bring it back away until that qrap goes away. Silly!

Yes, when I use the touch-pad to move my cursor from right to left, that stuff pops up and I have to click an extra time to get rid of it. Annoying!

Yes, it IS annoying! If I ever figure out how to get rid of it, I'll let you know. I have a feeling it's just another of the 'no choice for you' things, though.

I'm usually fairly good at figuring things out but this one had me stumped. Fortunately, it doesn't happen all the time. I even tried to find exactly what spot I was hitting that made it come up and there was no consistent answer.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

LilacTree — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:53:23 GMT

I just bought a Dell Desktop XPS 8700 with Windows 7 on it with all the newest system upgrades, including i7, 800 mg RAM, 1 TB hard drive, free tech support for a year, and three years free virus protection for $800. It comes with one month MS Office (all applications), but when that expires, I can install my MS Office 2007 programs with no licensing problems. It will come tomorrow directly from Dell.

I will give this baby to one of my grandchildren.

GOODBYE WINDOWS 8-8.1 FOREVER!!! Life is too short for the aggravation!

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

Nuttmeg — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 23:54:54 GMT

On 9/29/2014 Ford1224 said:
I just bought a Dell Desktop XPS 8700 with Windows 7 on it with all the newest system upgrades, including i7, 800 mg RAM, 1 TB hard drive, free tech support for a year, and three years free virus protection for $800. It comes with one month MS Office (all applications), but when that expires, I can install my MS Office 2007 programs with no licensing problems. It will come tomorrow directly from Dell.

I will give this baby to one of my grandchildren.

GOODBYE WINDOWS 8-8.1 FOREVER!!! Life is too short for the aggravation!

I am sure your GC will enjoy your "old" system. I brought a Dell XPS system in June. Did you signup for the Dell Advantage program?

http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/eep/campaigns/advantage?c=us&cs=6099&l=en&ref=tile8&s=eep

Recovery Media Window 7 for your new computer. https://www.dell.com/support/diagnostics/us/en/19/nondiagnostichome

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

Big Sister — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 02:37:31 GMT

Yes, ford, my friend did it for me. He wanted me to have Windows 7 and NOT 8, so I am using the 7 in my HP laptop. I'm happy with the 7.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

LilacTree — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 15:05:33 GMT

On 9/29/2014 bigsister said:
Yes, ford, my friend did it for me. He wanted me to have Windows 7 and NOT 8, so I am using the 7 in my HP laptop. I'm happy with the 7.

Everyone I talked to said it would not work and I was only asking for more problems. And no one had an axe to grind as to me buying a new computer with 7 on it. I made that decision on my own after a lot of research.

You're lucky you knew someone who knew how to do it. Lots of Registry changes is what scared me. I've done that in the past years ago, but that's when I knew what I was doing. I don't know where half my data is anymore anyway. Win 8 put it wherever it wanted it to go. I felt as though I had no control over anything. Anyway, it's done and over now.

It's supposed to come today. I have already backed up my data, but will restore carefully, I want only my data back . . . NOTHING else that could have anything to do with Win 8/8.1. I think I will keep 7 until they are not supporting it anymore, no matter what else "new" comes around. The Dell rep told me that won't happen for quite some time.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

LilacTree — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 15:14:29 GMT

On 9/29/2014 nutmeg3 said:
On 9/29/2014 Ford1224 said:
I just bought a Dell Desktop XPS 8700 with Windows 7 on it with all the newest system upgrades, including i7, 800 mg RAM, 1 TB hard drive, free tech support for a year, and three years free virus protection for $800. It comes with one month MS Office (all applications), but when that expires, I can install my MS Office 2007 programs with no licensing problems. It will come tomorrow directly from Dell.

I will give this baby to one of my grandchildren.

GOODBYE WINDOWS 8-8.1 FOREVER!!! Life is too short for the aggravation!

I am sure your GC will enjoy your "old" system. I brought a Dell XPS system in June. Did you signup for the Dell Advantage program?

http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/eep/campaigns/advantage?c=us&cs=6099&l=en&ref=tile8&s=eep

Recovery Media Window 7 for your new computer. https://www.dell.com/support/diagnostics/us/en/19/nondiagnostichome

Thanks for the links. I think I will get the CD Win 7 backup disks.

I am not sure about the Dell Advantage program. I probably had to sign up for it at the time of purchase and I did not do that.

How are you liking the XPS with, I assume Windows 7 on it?

The sales rep advised me that Dell has bought McAfee and that's the virus program I will get free for three years. I'm not too sure I will keep that, I never had much respect for it. But that's for later. It will take me some time to set this new one up the way I want it. As I said, I have to look for all of my data and pictures, they're all over the place.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

Big Sister — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 04:53:55 GMT

I will keep Windows 7 as long as possible. I only got rid of XP because it wasn't supported anymore.

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

ROMARY — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 16:42:28 GMT

Someone gave me an inexpensive 8.1, new, still in the box. I'm afraid to even attempt using it. I love my W7. Perfect! For me, anyway. So easy, so simple. Life is good. (Shy, nice, content rolling eye emotion)

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

KJPA — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 21:53:22 GMT

I like Windows 8.1 (even better than Win 8) but I understand some of the frustrations, especially if you liked the old way. I found a Web site about removing that Charm bar (the popup to the right of the screen) here: http://www.askvg.com/how-to-disable-hot-corners-charms-bar-and-app-switch-list-in-windows-8-1/

It includes instructions a link to instructions to use Classic Shell to remove it in 8. So if you are still using 8 you have to have Classic Shell but if you upgraded to 8.1 you don't need Classic Shell to get rid of that popup.

If you have 8.1 and your brand of laptop supports it you might have a TOUCHPAD setting to turn the Charm Bar off. My Sony Vaio does NOT have a touchpad setting for it so I can't but maybe you can.

Good luck to any of you who try it Let us know if it improves your user experience!!

Re: Has anyone successfully downgraded to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1?

Mayfayre — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 18:57:32 GMT

I popped Classic Shell on my Win 8 laptop right after I did the update to 8.1 and it's set to boot right into the Desktop mode, so the computer starts up with a familiar look and a familiar Start menu. I don't go over to the tiles unless there's an app I specifically want to use there, like Hulu+. I've quickly gotten accustomed to 8.1 and actually like it (I'm coming to it from Vista). It's much easier to use and much less quirky than Vista (which was only an earlier iteration of 7 after all). The Charms bar doesn't bother me because it only pops out if I deliberately click in the upper right or lower right corners of the screen; I think they reduced the sensitivity area in 8.1 vs. 8.