I need to discard the windows 10 & install win7 on ssd but windows does not list ssd for install

[sp-hp]

Hello to all at HP.com ,

1st I want to say thank you for the support forum here and all of the experts here helping us.

I am the proud new owner of a "HP Compaq Pro 6300 Small Form Factor PC"  refurbished to like new specs. I got a good deal on it about a month ago and it came with warranty and windows 10 on it.

   I am trying to install windows 7 on a 230GB sandisk SSD setup as a Sata drive and keep the original 2 TB  HDD for storage. !st attempt windows did not list my ssd drive as available, only the original 2 TB drive .

   The SSD drive is good in windows 10 and useable. Microsoft did not allow me to install on the ssd. Is there a step I'm missing here? They both show as Sata drives but the ssd is not listed?

SP

[CF4]

Hi

If you made a W10 USB stick and tried to install that on the SSD with the 2 TB drive disconnected would that help.

I see going back to W7 as problematic for security updates etc.

[sp-hp]

CF4 ,  thanks for  the fast reply .  I may have to go that route. I disconnected HDD at Sata "0" and put the  SSD there. I used another app called ~"win to HDD" with some success. It loaded  win 7 on the SSD  but as soon as boot files are loaded it switches to  "windows Start screen"  NO!  blue_screen_of_death.....!

I think the hard drive format I'm using  may be some of the problem , not sure. Actually I think I need some knowledge of the  new BIOS replacement......UEFI .

thanks,  sp-hp 

[CF4 · Accepted solution]

Hi

It may well be that a BIOS tweak is needed.

W7 may well prefer Legacy and MBR, and W10 prefers GPT and Secure Boot.

So making the right choice of MBR or UEFI and Legacy/Secure method of partitioning and booting wold be crucial.