Can I install Windows 7 from scratch?

[logofatu]

Greetings!

The operating system on my computer is actually Win 10 Pro downgraded to Win 7 Pro. I want to know whether I can install from scratch Windows 7 in my computer using the Windows 7 disk that accompanied the computer.

I was told the operating system is Windows 10 but it uses a Windows 7 interface. I do not understand the need for this complication. If one can simply install Windows 7 then why use an interface? Or maybe this computer works only with Windows 10?

[mdklassen · Accepted solution]

What are you trying to accomplish, given that you say that you already are using Windows 7?

I don't fully understand your question about "interface".

The GUI (Graphics User Interface) for Windows 10 incorporates most features of the Windows 7 GUI, and also of the Windows 8/8.1 GUI.

See: http://www8.hp.com/ca/en/products/workstations/product-detail.html?oid=8354563#!tab=specs

Your computer was preinstalled with: 

    Windows 7 Professional 64 (available through downgrade rights from Windows 10 Pro 64)

and also comes with a license and media for Windows 10 Pro software.

My recommendation: since Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7 in January 2020 -- a short time away -- install Windows 10, to get security-updates for your computer now, and after January 2020.

Suggestion: if you have a "spare" disk-drive, disconnect your current disk-drive, connect the "spare", and try to use that Windows 7 media to install Windows.  That should answer your question about "can I install...".

[logofatu]

Thank you for your answer.

Maybe the technical guy BS-ed me. He said the computer has Windows 10 installed but it works through a Windows 7 interface. I never heard of such a thing before, except as a joke. The computer has Windows 7 installed but it also has about 4 partitions for I know not what purposes. There are more than 100 GB in those partitions. Because the computer keeps freezing, on the advice of the technical service guy, I tried to reinstall Windows 7, but when I saw all those weird partitions I chickened out. I sent the computer for repairs but they have not yet called me back.

Someone just told me that downgradable to Windows 7 means it has Windows 10 but upon request Microsoft installs remotely Windows 7 within 30 days from the date you bought the computer. Is he BS-ing me too? Anyway the computer came with Windows 7 installed but accompanied by Windows 7 and 10 installation disks.

All I wanted to know is whether I can install on this computer the operating system I want, Windows 7 or whatever, as I always did many times before on various computers or maybe this is some special computer that needs a special type of installation which is better left to a software specialist.

[mdklassen]

> Maybe the technical guy BS-ed me.

> He said the computer has Windows 10 installed but it works through a Windows 7 interface.

> I never heard of such a thing before, except as a joke.

He may have meant that the Windows 10 interface includes both the Windows 7 interface (a "tree" that opens when you click the "start" button) and the Windows 8/8.1 interface (rectangular "tiles" like you see on an iPhone screen).

> The computer has Windows 7 installed but it also has about 4 partitions for I know not what purposes.

> There are more than 100 GB in those partitions.

One tiny partition is the "boot" partition, that starts to load the rest of Windows.

The largest partition is your 'C:' drive-letter.

One partition could be a complete "system recovery" partition, e.g., a copy of a "Windows Installer" DVD.

One partition could be the "HP Diagnostics" partition -- a collection of tools to test your hardware.

> Because the computer keeps freezing, on the advice of the technical service guy, I tried to reinstall Windows 7,

> but when I saw all those weird partitions I chickened out.

> I sent the computer for repairs but they have not yet called me back.

Sometimes, it's best to not to try to "do it yourself".

Did you make a backup of your files before you sent it to them?

If not, contact them, to insist that they make a backup of your files, before reinstalling Windows.

> Someone just told me that downgradable to Windows 7 means it has Windows 10

> but upon request Microsoft installs remotely Windows 7 within 30 days from the date you bought the computer.

>  Is he BS-ing me too?

By "downgrade rights", Microsoft means that while the computer comes with one Operating System, namely Windows 10, they grant you the right to "downgrade" to the previous version of their Operating System.

It does not meant that Microsoft will assist you in any way to do the "downgrade" installation.

> Anyway the computer came with Windows 7 installed  but accompanied by Windows 7 and 10 installation disks.

You have "the best of both worlds" -- complete freedom to install either version of Windows.

Remember to backup your files/music/E-mail/bookmarks, before  doing  any "install".

> All I wanted to know is whether I can install on this computer the operating system I want,

With both of those DVD disks, you may install either Operating System.

> maybe this is some special computer that needs a special type of installation which is better left to a software specialist.

Doubtful.  Those 2 DVDs are designed to be "click once" to launch the installer.