Windows downgrade from 8.1 to 7

[fmarcel]

Hello experts

Im installing a clean copy of windows 7 ultimate on my hp laptop that came with windows 8

laptop specifications:  (cpu and rams are upgraded)

Cpu:         AMD A10-4600M 

Ram :       DDR3L 8GB

Motherboard:   hp model 1849

Internal hard drive :  Hitachi HTS547564A9E384 SATA 600GB

what configurations should i use :

1) formating hard drive in GPT or MBR

2) boot mode in Legacy or UEFI

3) NTFS , FAT32 or exFAT

Please advice

Thank you

[A4Apollo · Accepted solution]

Hi! @fmarcel, Welcome to HP forums.

I understand you are downgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 7 and you need to know the configuration to setup your PC.

Don't worry I'll try to help you out.

Please find the details listed below.

Master boot record (MBR) disks use the standard BIOS partition table. GUID partition table (GPT) disks use unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI). One advantage of GPT disks is that you can have more than four partitions on each disk. GPT is also required for disks larger than 2 terabytes.
You can change a disk from MBR to GPT partition style as long as the disk does not contain any partitions or volumes.

To change a master boot record disk into a GUID partition table disk using a command line
Back up or move the data on the basic master boot record (MBR) disk you want to convert into a GUID partition table (GPT) disk.
Open an elevated command prompt (right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as Administrator) and type diskpart. If the disk does not contain any partitions or volumes, skip to step 6.
At the DISKPART prompt, type list disk. Make note of the disk number you want to convert.
At the DISKPART prompt, type select disk <disknumber>.
At the DISKPART prompt, type clean.
ImportantImportant
Running the clean command will delete all partitions or volumes on the disk.
At the DISKPART prompt, type convert gpt

If you formatting the hard drive using EXFAT.

Pros: It can work with large files.

Cons: Not compatible with older operating systems. The PC need to be Windows Vista SP1, Windows 7, or newer.

If you want to work with older operating systems.

You can try formatting the drive using NTFS. 

Since you are installing Windows 7 on your PC. You have to change the boot mode from secure boot to legacy in BIOS.

Hope this helps!

Have a great day ahead! 🙂