Pavilion 23-b239: Downgrading to Windows 7

[mikethegolfer]

Hi all, I bought my mom a Pavilion 23-b239 All in one Desktop.
She just can't get used to Windows 8.

I would really appreciate knowing if it's possible to downgrade to Windows 7 and if someone could
kindly tell me:

• A profile of my hardware info
• Where I can get the drivers I need.

Thanks so much in advance!!!

[lasvegaswireman · Accepted solution]

****Disclaimer*****

HP doesn't recommend the installation of Windows 7 on a computer shipped with Windows 8, nor will it support the installation of Windows 7. HP will not provide Windows 7 drivers and suitable drivers may not be available for the hardware in the computer. Also, Windows 7 may not support some of the hardware or software features designed for the computer.

Make sure you create your HP Recovery Discs or USB Flash Recovery media before modifying or changing ANYTHING.

As this computer is a consumer model with the non-Pro version of Windows 8, it doesn't have downgrade rights. First, you will need to purchase a valid copy of Windows 7 with a COA and product key. You will also need to DISABLE "Secure Boot" and maybe ENABLE "Legacy Support" in the "BIOS Secure Boot cofiguration" on the settings page shown below, before you can attempt to install Windows 7;

or

Additionally, as the hard drive may be partitioned as GPT, you may have to boot the computer using the "UEFI - CD/DVD drive" or "UEFI - USB Flash drive" options in the "F9" boot menu. If "UEFI - CD/DVD drive",  "UEFI - USB Flash drive" or something to that effect doesn't exist in the boot menu, please post a screen shot and/or descibe the listed boot options.

I suggest using Windows 7 SP1 for the best intallation experience. If you need Windows SP1, please see "How to Install Windows 7 Without the Disc" to download and create your own Windows 7 SP1 disc. If the DVD refuses to boot as UEFI, you may need to use a USB Flash drive (may require DISABLING "Fast Boot" in the BIOS) as the installation media. Please download the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool to create a Windows 7 SP1 USB Flash drive. Please note that some computers may not recognize a valid UEFI enabled USB Flash drive if it is formated as NTFS and may require a FAT32 formatted USB Flash drive. You should be able to make a FAT32 formatted Windows 7 installation USB Flash drive using Rufus, UNetbootin, Universal USB Installer, or WiNToBootic. I like Rufus, as it has options for "GPT partition scheme for UEFI computer" and "FAT32".

Please post the Windows Device Manager's "Hardware Ids" for all missing or unknown devices, as shown in the example below;

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Please click the white KUDOS star to show your appreciation

[bigcanariaz]

It is sad to read this .... HP does not support their users for the installation of windows 7.
Many people including me ... have to reinstall windows 7 ... for a thousand reasons.
Mine was this ...
It is unfortunate that half of programs that includes HP on their new computers with windows 8 does not work well.
It's surprising me, all video editing programs and pictures "CyberLink" I had my computer HP Pavilion 500 Desktop PC-141ea
Every time I had to use my computer freezes.
But not only these .... which also installed ... nero, vsoConvertXto etc, etc, etc..
Because of this problem ... my computer not respond to any command.
Install windows 7 .... and my computer runs much better than with windows 8.
Evaluation experience windows 8 was 4.9.
Evaluation experience windows 7 is 6.0.

Truth is what it says "lasvegaswireman"
Make sure you create your HP Recovery Discs or USB Flash Recovery media before.

Your processor is Intel H77 ... click me download

Do not worry about intel graphics drivers, the same windows 7 just install the generic Intel graphics drivers.

For the rest of drivers ... windows update is installed.
If you have any driver that is not installed ... go to this page click me

[mikethegolfer]

Thanks Frank for your help. I get the feeling this process is gong to take longer than I expected. Your advice is appreciated.

[mikethegolfer]

Thanks bigcanariaz for the advice and moral support. I can't blame my mom, Windows 8 is pretty hard to get use to... I find the same thing.

Thanks again and all the best...

p.s. Still happy running XP on my own computer. All my programs (many older) graphic, web and multimedia design etc. running just fine. Sometimes it's better the devil you know 🙂

Mike

[bigcanariaz]

I hope your problem is solved.
I'm glad to help. If you need more help ask me.
Happy day for you...

[Samir_Hamad]

So true Microsoft forcing all the computer manufacturing to adopt windows 8, that sucks really

I found drivers for windows 7 , please follow this link

http://www.driverscape.com/manufacturers/hp/laptops-desktops/23-b239/64362

cheers

[k40S83]

Hi,

I have the same problem. I have HP all in one 23-r013a and I'm trying to downgradint to Windows 7. When the windows 7 starts the installation it don't find ahar disk and ask me for driver.

I tried with AMD AHCI driver but doesn't work.

Can you help me? Can you tell me the right driver for HP all in one 23-r013a

Thank you!

Danilo

[Samir_Hamad]

you need to Disable UEFI and Enable Legacy Boot in the BIOS, once you do that try again.

[k40S83]

I did... but during the windows installation i'' unable to find my disk...