As some who followed M44 blasting the Wdw8 OS for a month or so, and watched him pluck his last hair in misery with the Wdw8 program, and finally found a trash can large enough to throw it in, I got my new Wdw7 OS delivered today. Ahhhhhhhhh :) :) Can't wait!But, have the OS now, what? Do I somehow delete the Wdw8, then load the Wdw7 Disc, and then simply load it up and use it? Last time I did this with a LT, I bought a new, faster HD, installed it in the Dell LT, then installed Wdw7 on a clean, new HD.This one has Wdw8 on it - so, do I do something different to get Wdw8 off it, or does the Wdw7 'erase' it and give it to me clean when I launch / install it... thanks I don't want any tricks, like hide Wdw8 behind a partition, or over-ride Wdw8, or turn it off, or any tech trick that can be monitored by tech folks. I want Wdw8 GONE, GONE, that is NOT HERE, and only Wdw7 on my LT - that's it. Nothing else, no special ideas, not tricks, nothing. Just Wdw8 gone forever, Wdw7 on my new laptop.Laptop is Toshiba Satellite Intel i5 ... thanks M44And if it takes 'steps' please list step x step, don't say, "Just load the thigimagin in the ashloole and you'll be fine. That doesn't help - non tech step x step language (words) is great....

Tried Google or Microsoft? Probably walk you through it.

When installing 7, it will ask what partition you want to use. Select the largest one offered, might even have the option of deleting any others, and do a full (slowest) format of the one you are going to use for the 7 install.Welcome back to the normal world.

When downgrading I prefer to replace the HD. The old win8 disk goes on the shelf (I may want to upgrade in a few years) and 2 gig disks are cheap.

christopherglenn wrote:When downgrading I prefer to replace the HD. The old win8 disk goes on the shelf (I may want to upgrade in a few years) and 2 gig disks are cheap.You may be right - but if you read my other thread about this problems with this Wdw8, you'll see it will never happen, saving Wdw8 just in case I ever need it - believe this, like you'll always believe this sentence as if this is stapled or welded (your choice) to your brain like it is mine: Monkey44 will NEVER use Windows8 ... never.

Boot up the computer with the win 7 disk in the cd drive. You will/should be prompted to hit "any key" to boot with the CD drive. You have to watch it, because it'll only last about 10 seconds and then it'll just boot up off the HD and you have to start over if you don't catch it in time.Once you boot up on the disk, it'll load it's files and such and start the install wizard.At some point, it'll prompt you for the partition you want to install to. You have to DELETE the existing partition first, so look for that option first.Once it's deleted, you will need to install to that UNFORMATED partition and you'll have to tell it the size you want it to be... Just use the max size it says that's available.At that point, it should format the partition AND install a fresh copy of Win 7 on that drive.Make sure you also have your computers DEVICE DRIVER disk handy, as you'll need that to load the video, audio, network, wireless, etc. specific to your computer.Once you get your basics loaded, you can get on the interent for the windows updates (install the Win 7 service pack 2 first) and then load up on the rest of the updates.Another thing I like to do is do a DEFRAG on the hard drvie after you get windows initially installed..Good luck!Mitch

Wdw8 back to Wdw7 | Good Sam Community

2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2013
Tried Google or Microsoft? Probably walk you through it.
_40Fan
Explorer
Jul 12, 2013
When installing 7, it will ask what partition you want to use. Select the largest one offered, might even have the option of deleting any others, and do a full (slowest) format of the one you are going to use for the 7 install.

Welcome back to the normal world.
christopherglen
Explorer
Jul 12, 2013
When downgrading I prefer to replace the HD. The old win8 disk goes on the shelf (I may want to upgrade in a few years) and 2 gig disks are cheap.
monkey44
Nomad II
Jul 12, 2013
christopherglenn wrote:
When downgrading I prefer to replace the HD. The old win8 disk goes on the shelf (I may want to upgrade in a few years) and 2 gig disks are cheap.

You may be right - but if you read my other thread about this problems with this Wdw8, you'll see it will never happen, saving Wdw8 just in case I ever need it - believe this, like you'll always believe this sentence as if this is stapled or welded (your choice) to your brain like it is mine:

Monkey44 will NEVER use Windows8 ... never.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Jul 12, 2013
Boot up the computer with the win 7 disk in the cd drive. You will/should be prompted to hit "any key" to boot with the CD drive. You have to watch it, because it'll only last about 10 seconds and then it'll just boot up off the HD and you have to start over if you don't catch it in time.

Once you boot up on the disk, it'll load it's files and such and start the install wizard.

At some point, it'll prompt you for the partition you want to install to. You have to DELETE the existing partition first, so look for that option first.

Once it's deleted, you will need to install to that UNFORMATED partition and you'll have to tell it the size you want it to be... Just use the max size it says that's available.

At that point, it should format the partition AND install a fresh copy of Win 7 on that drive.

Make sure you also have your computers DEVICE DRIVER disk handy, as you'll need that to load the video, audio, network, wireless, etc. specific to your computer.

Once you get your basics loaded, you can get on the interent for the windows updates (install the Win 7 service pack 2 first) and then load up on the rest of the updates.

Another thing I like to do is do a DEFRAG on the hard drvie after you get windows initially installed..

Good luck!

Mitch
Camp__Forrest__
Explorer
Jul 12, 2013
I'm with you monkey man! I support XP, Win7, Win8, and Mac OS. Win 7 is by far my favorite.
Dick_B
Explorer
Jul 12, 2013
Moderator's Note: Check your PM!
Tom_M1
Explorer
Jul 12, 2013
Here's a link to a PC Magazine article: Downgrading to Win7

It details the step-by-step process and cautions involved.

I installed a trial version of Win8 and tried very hard to like it. I installed Classic Shell to make it act more like Win7. Then reality set in and I came to my senses. Why am I going through all these hoops to make Win8 act like Win7????. I then restored the image I had made and happily continuing with Win7.

Good luck.
lynndiwagon
Explorer
Jul 12, 2013
I imagine that most folks don't like Win8 because the aren't using it the way it was intended.....with a touch screen computer. Just bought the wife a new Dell 15" laptop with a touchscreen. Pricey?....yes. Did I like the Win8 vs the Win7 on my Dell?....yes. Probably win8 not ideal on a standard screen laptop.
sue_t
Explorer
Jul 12, 2013
A week ago I received a new Dell desktop with Windows 7 w/ XP mode. After being a hold out with XP, I admit to quite liking Windows 7. Wish I had upgraded sooner!

Possibly the 64-bit & 16GB RAM help with my enjoyment. :B

Had heard nothing good about Windows 8 and think I'd not enjoy touching my screen with my oily paws. Don't need to be holding my arms/hands higher and moving them around. The Wacom Intous 4 tablet works well enough for me.

BTW, Windows 7 machines can still be ordered from Dell's "small business" section.

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