Downgrade to Windows 7

[Pahola]

Hi, my PC orignally came with windows 7 pre installed on it... i upgraded to windows 10 and its been more then 30 days since the upgrade. i want to go back to windows 7 so i went to microsofts website to download a copy of windows 7 and put in the product key from the sticker off the bottom of my PC

after hitting validate i get the following error

the product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options

how can i go back to what was pre installed on my PC without having to buy a copy of windows 7?

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @Pahola

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting!

There are several versions of Windows depending on how they are licensed. The ISO image files available from Microsoft web site officially are for the FPP versions (full product package versions) of Windows. What you own when you buy a PC from PC vendor is OEM version of Windows. OEM versions are not officially available for download.

So, the official way to restore back to Windows 7 is to use original HP Recovery media (costs about 27 USD or 33 euro). Here is the recovery kit for your PC >> http://www.computersurgeons.com/p-21984-windows-7-64b-recovery-kit-629997-001-for-hp-notebook-pc-mod...

If you use it, it will restore the PC to factory default condition - install Windows, drivers, certain preinstalled apps, etc...

If you decide to choose the official way, here are instructions how to use the recovery media > http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=HPSystemRecovery.net&as=true&section=ccweb&SFS=tdoc&language...

If you do not want to pay the small sum, there is one additional way (unofficial way). You can use this free utility

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

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

The tool will 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...

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

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, keep 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

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

[Pahola]

Thank you.

I already download the tool to download the windows but i don't see the windows 7 home prem OA that says in my sticker key, which one should i choose?

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @Pahola

Please, take a closer look again - here is a screenshot from one of my PCs - select English and Expert view.

If you still face the issue, check it from another PC or consider following the official procedure with the original HP Recovery media.

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes.

[Pahola · Accepted solution]

Thank you, i alredy fix my pc, your help was very good.