using Windows 7 drivers in Windows 8

[AttackofZaq]

A lot of users have notebooks which originally shipped with (or were supported by) Windows 7 and have run into issues in which there are no Windows 8 drivers for their hardware.  Luckily, many Windows 7 drivers will work in Windows 8 if you install them using Compatibility Mode.  Try the following.

1. Visit HP Support and get the Windows 7 drivers for the hardware you'd like to try. 
2. Download the driver to your desktop.
3. Allow the extraction to complete but close the installation process when it comes up.
4. Navigate to the C:\swsetup\ folder.  You will see your driver listed here.  They usually have a name like "sp58919".  Navigate to this folder.
5. Within your driver's folder you will see a "setup.exe" file.  Right click this file and select Properties.
6. Navigate to the "Compatibility" tab. 
7. Click the box that says "Run this program in Compatibility mode for..." and also select Windows 7 from the drop down menu.
8. Check the box which says "Run this program as administrator" at the bottom.
9. Save these changes and double-click the "setup.exe" to begin the install.
10. Once the install completes reboot your PC and verify the functionality of the piece of hardware.

This won't work in every case but a lot of users have reported success when using Windows 7 drivers in Windows 8 so give it a try!

[AttackofZaq · Accepted solution]

I hope you find this helpful! 🙂