Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

[bhendrey]

Product: HP Pavilion 20 All-in-one PC 20-b021a

OS installed: Windows 8

Trying to install: Windows 7 Professional 32 bit

A Windows 7 DVD was purchased at the same time as the PC as I need to downgrade this PC (out of the box) because the business application that needs to run on this machine is not supported on Windows 8.

The PC will not boot from the Windows 7 DVD so I started Window 8 then run setup.exe from the DVD but then get the message: "Windows Setup experienced an unexpected error.  To install Windows, restart the installation."

Can you confirm that the hardware will run Windows 7?  If so how do I go about downgrading the OS?

[banhien]

Hi,

Please use the following article:

   http://www.pcworld.com/article/2015107/downgrading-from-windows-8-to-7-what-you-need-to-know.html

Regards.

[erico]

After you have created the recovery disk set or USB recovery media you can place your Windows 7 DVD in the DVD drive and boot from it to install Windows 7. You can also use the Windows 7 usb installation media. The Windows 7 usb installation media will install the OS faster and is much more reliable than a DVD installation disk.

You may need to create a Windows 7 USB installation media device and go into the BIOS to disable secure boot  if present and enabled) to intall Windows 7 on your PC's hard drive.

Windows 7 drivers are available at the HP web support portal for your PC.

Best regards,

erico

[lasvegaswireman]

To build on the first two replies, I have the following to add....

Here are the specs for your HP Pavilion 20-b021a All-in-One Desktop Computer and its AABRZ-AB (Azara2) motherboard. Based on this specs, this model was shipped with Microsoft Windows 8 (64-bit). Only Windows 8 Pro comes with downgrade rights, so what you are doing isn't technically a downgrade. As the computer only comes with Windows 8, all you are doing is installing Windows 7 on a new computer.

HP doesn't support installing Windows 7 on your computer and you will be required to return it to a factory like state to receive warranty service. As the computer was designed to be used with Windows 8, some hardware and/or software may not be compatible with Windows 7. Sourcing Windows 7 drivers may be difficult or impossible for some of the hardware on this computer.

First, you need to create your personal set of HP Recovery Discs from within Windows 8 using the HP Recovery Manager. Next, you will need to DISABLE "Secure Boot" and ENABLE "Legacy Support" in the BIOS. Because the computer came with a bootable GPT partitioned hard drive that is only supported in 64-bit operating systems, you will need to convert or repartition the hard drive as a MBR partition before you can install a 32-bit OS on it. After all of this has been done, you should be able to install Windows 7 Pro 32-bit from the CD/DVD by selecting the "Legacy CD/DVD drive" upon booting up.

You will need the following drivers to get the computer functional;

1) AMD Chipset Drivers (Chipset / AHCI / USB 3.0)

2) AMD Catalyst Display Driver for Windows 32-bit

3) Ralink Wireless LAN Card Driver from HP

4) Realtek 10/100 LAN PCIe Family Driver from HP

5) Realtek HD Audio CODEC Diver (check "Accept", click "Next", select download location for 1st item on list)

6) Download "Realtek Reader checking tool" to determine proper card reader driver. Download correct driver as indicated by "Reader checking tool". Most likely will be "PCIe RTS5229 card reader driver for XP/Win7/Win8"

Good luck and have fun 🙂

Please send KUDOs

[Ndi]

i bought a laptop with window 8 and want to dowgrade it to window 7. please how do i do this?

[Ndi]

is it posible to dowgrade from window 8 to 7?

[lasvegaswireman]

Ndi,

When requesting assistance, please provide the complete product number of the HP computer in question. HP/Compaq makes thousands of models of computers that are all different. Without this information it may be difficult or impossible to assist you in resolving your issue.

The above requested information can be found on the bottom of your computer or in the battery compartment.

FYI: you aren't really downgrading from Windows 8 to Windows7, you are just doing a clean install of Windows 7 and this requires the use of a valid copy of Windows 7 with a COA and unused Windows product key. The easiest way to acquire this is to purchase a copy of Windows 7.

Please click the white KUDOS star to show your appreciation

[odexus]

This has to be the most stupid thing on earth, not compatible with windows 7.. even the new Apple are compatible with windows 7. This is the worst decision making ever from a compagny. I will tell my clients to return their laptop and buy any other brand but HP. Disapointing.

[ptwo]

I have a p2-1322 that came with Windows 8,  I was able to install Windows 7 pro with my installation dvd, but I can't connect to the internet or my home ethernet network.  I was told by HP customer service that I needed a new driver for that, but they were not able to help me get one.

CAN ANYONE HELP? 

[ptwo]

I have a p2-1322 that came with Windows 8 home edition,  I was able to install Windows 7 pro with my installation dvd, but I can't connect to the internet or my home ethernet network.  I was told by HP customer service that I needed a new driver for that, but they were not able to help me get one.

CAN ANYONE HELP?