Downgrade HP Ultrabook Windows 10 to Windows 8 .1 or 7

[kefasso]

Helo there.
I'm asking for help with downgrading a Windows 10 64bit system in the original Windows 8 or 8.1 system. After an unnecessary system upgrade in 2016, the computer lost much of its functionality because there are no drivers for this computer for Windows 10. Unfortunately, the recovery function after upgrading the system also includes a clean Windows 10, so it is not useful at this point.

I do not have any recovery system discs.
The computer works best on the original windows 8 system, but I do not have a disc.

I will be grateful for any advice.

Peter

[IT_WinSec]

Hello Peter @kefasso

Welcome to the HP Support forum.

I also couldn't find a recovery media available online for our PC model.

Which country are you from ? Was the PC bought from the same country?

[kefasso]

Hello.

Thank you for answer.

I'm from Poland and yes, PC was bought in Poland and I live in this beautifull and lovely country.

It's frustrating becouse laptop was one of the best purchases few yaers ago.

It had a very fast start and was very "clever" at all.

After upgrade even touchpad doesn't work corectly becouse buttons doesn't works.

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Thank you for posting back.

I am glad you like your HP product.

Best2Serve is HP partner in Europe (EU) and they supply recovery media. You can check here for original recovery media:

>> http://www.best2serve.com/page/rcd_landing

or contact >> http://www.best2serve.com/page/contact

You may also try to reach HP support for Polland > http://www8.hp.com/pl/pl/contact-hp/phone-assist.html

and ask them who can provide you with original recovery media.

There is one other option available - it is not official, there is no 100% guarantee it will work but is free. You may be able to extract your Windows product key from BIOS, take a note of it and reinstall Windows 8.1 - clean Windows 8.1 installation. The side note is that after that you will manually need to install the drivers, as well.  If you are willing to try this free option, please post again and let me know - I will provide details.

[kefasso]

I am interested in.

Tell me how extract product key from BIOS. I am almoust sure I can handle this free solution.

[IT_WinSec]

OK,

1. Download ProduKey from Nirsoft >> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

x86 Windows >> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/produkey.zip

x64 Windows >> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/produkey-x64.zip

Extract the archive and run the program.

It will open and show you the available keys it detects. Does it detect your BIOS and Windows key(s) ? Does it says Windows version ?  Take a picture of the codes and write them down. Do not post them here, just keep them for yourself.

2. You can use this free utility from Heidoc

>> https://www.heidoc.net/php/Windows%20ISO%20Downloader.exe

>> https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-downl...

Download and run the tool. It can download ISO images from Microsoft and has lots of options for many Windows versions including OEM. If you use it, be careful to select the correct Windows ISO for the OEM, x86 or x64 edition, Home/Pro/Ultimate, etc... Downloads are big, ensure stable Internet connection.

3. When download completes, you will need to write or "burn" the ISO image and boot from a bootable media.

** How to create bootable ISO on USB device >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

or

** How to write ISO to DVD >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/burn-a-dvd-on-windows

 instructions are for Ubuntu, but you need to use the ISO image of Windows. Use the Windows ISO and Rufus (3rd tool you will need)

 Write FAT32 file system, MBR for BIOS/UEFI

4. When ready with the USB drive or with the DVD:

Please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive or the DVD prepared previously

Power  on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, start hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the thumb drive or the DVD as a boot option.

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows.

During the installation you might need to enter the key from step (1)

Install drivers taken from HP web site when Win installation completes

Let me know if this helps. Provide your feedback and let me know if you face difficulties.

Take a backup of your files/data before the procedure.

[kefasso]

I would like to download drivers before reinstaling system.

And I have a question about order of instaling drivers.

1) Chipset

2) Graphics

3) Audio

4) Network (eth, wifi, bluetooth)

5) touchpad

6) other ?

[IT_WinSec]

Hi,

The order of installing them doesn't matter - as you wish.

[kefasso]

I have problem with booting form USB pendrive.

This is from BIOS:

After taping ESC, I have 2 options:
- OS boot Manager - (if I choose this option system is booting normaly from hard disc)

- Boot From EFI File - (if I choose this one):

When I click Enter, I have next options:

- EFI

- boot

- System Volume Information

The only one non empty option is EFI, but there is many folders, but no USB drive....

Post scriptum: I have tried usb disc on the other computer, and Windows 8.1 Installer started normalny from booted USB disc.

[IT_WinSec]

Hi @kefasso

Thank you for coming back at the forum.

Please, go back to BIOS (F10) ... On that "System Configuration" tab in the BIOS, I see you have already disabled Secure Boot, which is OK.

Also, please make sure that Legacy mode is set to Enabled.

Save the changes and exit the BIOS saving the changes.

Make sure that the USB pendrive which contains the Win 8.1 installer is plugged in, press the Esc button -> F9

and see if USB Hard Disk or similar will appear there as a boot option.

Select it to start the Win 8.1 installer

Let me know what happens