Need main W7 drivers for HP Stream RTL 8723BE preloaded with W10 and not supported on HP downloads

[HP55Novice]

I have an elderly relative who has used Windows 7 Pro for many years.  A few month ago she purchased an HP Stream RTL 8723BE Laptop (new) that was factory preloaded Windows 10.  I'm not sure if it is home or pro but it is 64bit. 

She has had a very stressful time with W10 and has not used if for months.  I offered to help her purchase a Windows 7 product key and COA and install it as a complete wipe and install which I have done on my HP Elitebook and other Dell Optiplexes.  But none of my experience has been with factory preinstalled W10.

Looking for the main drivers, I have gone to the hp download page and entered the "HP Stream RTL 8723BE" and it asked for which OS.  In the first drop down menu I chose Windows but the second dropdown menu only offered one version of Windows.  It only has Windows 10.

I have confirmed that I can load W7 Pro because when I chose a volume to install it to, it didn't say this pc does not support it.  I have not gone further because I need the drivers before actually installing it.  My research so far seems to show that for drivers, I'm on my own.   I need the chipset, network drivers etc. 

Seems that with so many wanting to convert to W7 from preinstalled W10 there would be a source somewhere for these drivers.  If we can't find the drivers; she has decided to buy a used pc that was factory preinstalled with 7.  This move with coast her dearly and she really cant affort it.  

Can you point me in the right direction on drivers for a preinstalled W10 HP Stream RTL 8723BE (sorry for the length) ?

Thank you

[kyle_b]

It sounds like this is a Stream notebook, either a 11, 13 or possibly a 14.  "RTL 8723BE" is actually the Wifi networking installed, not the model. 

Others here have attempted to downgrade the Stream notebooks to Windows 7 but had trouble finding drivers.  You might be better off installing Windows 10 to avoid that problem.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @HP55Novice

Here are the links to the W7 Realtek RTL8723BE wifi and bluetooth drivers you need...

This package contains the driver installation package for the Realtek RTL8723BE/RTL8188EE wireless LAN Controller in the supported notebook models running a supported operating system.

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp79501-80000/sp79676.exe

This package contains the driver installation package for the Realtek Bluetooth in the supported notebook/laptop models and operating systems.

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp79501-80000/sp79675.exe

As Kyle wrote...you provided the model number of the wifi adapter, not the model of the Stream notebook.

Please post the full model number or product number of the notebook.

The product number can be found on the same label as the serial number, or use this guide for how to provide that info.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

Then I will see if I can cross reference your model with an equivalent HP business class notebook that may have similar hardware, but has W7 drivers.

[HP55Novice]

Thanks so much for the replies. I thought it said s/n in front of it but there was allot of printing on the label.  I probably missed that it was the s/n for the Realtech.  I'm going to go to check it now and will supply all that you mentioned.  Soon as I get back.

[HP55Novice]

Hi Kyle,

Ok, I carefully copied all the numbers and letters on the label:

Model : 15-ba053nr

Product: X7T74UA #ABA
IC 63117A-RTL8723BA
CNC: C12047
SCT: RCPRERT13-0876

RMN TPN - C126
CAN ICES-3(B)/ NMB-3(B)
HP, HQ-TRE, 71025

Thank you in advance for what drivers you might find.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

There are no comparable HP business notebooks that have W7 drivers for that PC.

So, you would have to try the drivers directly from the component manufacturer's websites.

I don't know if the graphics adapter your model has can run W7 or not but here are the links to the drivers that should work if it does...

First install the amd chipset drivers and restart the PC. You want the 1st file listed on the webpage.  That will install some motherboard drivers including the smbus and usb 3 controllers.

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/chipset?os=Windows%207%20-%2064

Graphics:  1st driver on the list, then restart the PC.

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/apu?os=Windows%207%20-%2064

Audio:  Accept the agreement.  Download and install the 2nd driver on the list and restart the PC.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownT...

Ethernet:  Download, unzip and run the setup application from the W7 driver at the link below...

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=14&PFid=7&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTy...

Card reader:  Download, unzip and run the setup application from the 1st file listed at the link below...

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=14&PFid=7&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTy...

Touchpad:

This package provides the driver that enables the Synaptics TouchPad in supported notebook models that are running a supported operating system. The driver enables general touchpad functionality (for example double-tap and scroll) and provides a user interface.

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp81501-82000/sp81891.exe

And I had already posted the links to the wifi and BT drivers you needed for that model.

[HP55Novice]

Thanks so much for your complete response. Before I wipe the existing OS and install the Windows 7 Pro 64 on this laptop I would just like to make sure I understand what you have explained.

You mentioned that I have to try the drivers directly from the component manufacturer's websites. But after entering the correct Model number it did not offer any drivers for Windows 7. Only choice on the drop down many for Windows version was Windows 10 64bit.

If no drivers are available from the HP then the URLs you gave me are for generic Msft drivers that should work? Or, are you saying that the Windows 10 drivers listed as available from HP will run this machine on 7?  This downgrading back down to 7 from a factory installed W10 is all new to me.

FYI: when I reached someone in HP customer service in "warrantee support" they said that the W7 drivers are available but not for free; that they could sell them to me via email attachment for $149!

Thank you again for you patience with my newbie knowledge on this topic.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

HP does not and cannot provide W7, 8 or 8.1 drivers for that model, so whoever told you that was giving you the business.  They only support that model for W10.

No one from HP will ever charge you for drivers.   They are either on the support page or they aren't.

The driver links I posted are from the individual hardware component manufacturer's websites (chipset, graphics, audio, ethernet, card reader).

They are not generic Microsoft drivers, but are the generic hardware drivers that the hardware manufacturers release to the public, that should work on most any model notebook that has the same hardware as the drivers support.

99 times out of 100 they will work just fine.

The W10 drivers on your notebook's support page will not work on W7 (except the touchpad), which is why I linked you to some manufacturer's generic drivers, and HP drivers such as the wireless and bluetooth from other HP notebooks with W7 drivers and the same wifi card.

The bottom line is that I cannot guarantee with 100% certainty that everything will work just fine on W7.

It is a risk that you will have to decide to take.

All I can tell you is that the drivers I posted are your only hope of getting W7 to work on a PC that was only designed to run on W10.

One other thing is that in order to install W7 on your notebook, you will need to go into the BIOS, enable legacy mode, and disable secure boot.

W7 is not compatible with secure boot.

[HP55Novice]

Got it!  Thanks so much for all your help on this.  I will go ahead and try it and let you know how it went. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

Looking forward to reading about your adventure.