Can I go back to Windows 7 from windows 10?

[a-d-m2]

I have got my Presario CQ5226UK out of the wardrobe with the intention to restore it to a Windows 7 machine to play games that I cannot run on windows 10.

The computer came with Windows 7 installed, and was later upgraded to windows 10 through the free upgrade offer.  I then dual booted with Linux Mint.

I would like to return it to Windows 7 as some of the games I like to play will not run on windows 10.  Can this be done?

The disk is showing a folder called Windows.old, could I restore windows 7 from it.  I have a recovery dvd but am unsure if this was the dvd made for this system.  Is there a way to find out if this is the correct recovery disc?

I have not used this machine in a while and as such have forgotten the passwords for the windows and the Linux Mint partitions, so I cannot boot up to create a new recovery disc.  Is there a way to create a recovery disc?

I have tried to download windows 7 from Microsoft, I put in my product code and was told that this was an OEM code and to get in touch with HP.

Any advice welcome.

Thank you.

[WAWood]

@a-d-m2 

The Win10 Upgrade is know to corrupt the HP Recovery information -- and that prevents reverting back to Win7 after that.  So, there is no built-in fuHP Recovery Media is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities.

A second complication is that HP has stopped carrying much of their Win 7 Recovery Media, so it might not be possible to order it from HP anymore.  You will need to read through the information below about Recovery Media to determine if it is still available.

In some cases, you may be able to order a USB stick instead of disks. You have to order these from HP; they can not be downloaded.

You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click "Update".

If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the "+" symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.

Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Service:

If you live in the US or Canada, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/phone-assist.html#section1

If you live elsewhere, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html

NOTE: After you get through, stay on the line until you are finally able to talk to some one -- it can take a while!

If you have trouble finding a phone number, then try: 1 (650) 857-1501.

If HP no longer provides Recovery Media for your model, another site you can check is: http://www.computersurgeons.com

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @a-d-m2 

HP no longer sells recovery media for your PC, and since you are located in the United Kingdom, none of the USA phone numbers will be of much help to you.

HP's e-partner in the UK does not have recovery media either.

https://www.best2serve.com/en-gb/page/rcd_hardware_related_products/#point

See if this works...you can download the W7 Home Premium English 64 bit ISO file from this site...Use the W7 product key on your PC's case to activate the installation.

https://getintopc.com/softwares/operating-systems/windows-7-home-premium-free-download-iso-32-bit-64...

I have zipped up and attached the Microsoft utility below, that you can use to transfer the ISO file to a USB flash drive or DVD, so that the media is bootable.

After W7 installs, you can install the drivers and available software from your PC's support page...

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/Compaq-Presario-CQ5000-Desktop-PC-series/3999467/model/4038022/

[a-d-m2]

Thanks for the reply.

"See if this works...you can download the W7 Home Premium English 64 bit ISO file from this site...Use the W7 product key on your PC's case to activate the installation."

Is this a legal and acceptable thing to do?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If the product key works, and windows activates, then it is fine.

You are not transferring W7 OEM to another PC using the OEM product key from your PC's case.

That would not be acceptable and would be a violation of the software agreement.

The file is a retail ISO file but the OEM product key should work on it.

Microsoft used to offer the ISO files for download too everyone (the public), but ended that practice in February of 2015.

Now they only allow retail product keys to download the ISO files.

Otherwise you will have to live with W10, because there are no other alternatives for you other than buying another copy of W7 with a genuine product key from a 3rd party reseller.