Member Avatar for bluepc

Please I really need urgent assistance here., I got a brand new pc and want to degrade it from win8 and install windows 7.. The computer system will not allow me to enter boot setup.. or boot from dvd..

Thanks

Edited by Reverend Jim because: Daniweb rule - Do not write in all uppercase or use "leet", "txt" or "chatroom" speak
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Quick clarification for : the correct term is "downgrade" (thanks to ). Before trying any technical steps confirm whether your machine actually includes downgrade rights (OEM Windows 8 Pro sometimes does; retail / System Builder copies usually do not) and whether the OEM injected a licence key or offers recovery media — that determines if you can use OEM recovery media or must supply a separate Windows 7 product key and full retail media. (learn.microsoft.com)

On modern kits the usual "can’t boot from DVD/USB" problem often comes from three things most posts here didn’t fully address: Secure Boot/firmware policy, the fact that the stock Windows 7 installer lacks USB 3.x and many NVMe drivers, and the FAT32/large-file limitation for UEFI media (install.wim can exceed 4 GB). Tools like Rufus (UEFI:NTFS) and vendor guidance for creating UEFI USB media are the usual workarounds, and if the installer needs drivers you can inject them into the WIM so setup actually sees the drive. (github.com)

Practical, minimal plan (build on the good suggestions from , , and ): back up everything and save your Windows 8 recovery and product key; download the exact Windows 7 drivers (chipset, USB3, storage) from the PC maker; create a UEFI-capable USB with Rufus or slipstream drivers into the ISO using DISM. Example DISM workflow (run elevated on a working PC after extracting the ISO):

Dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:C:\Win7ISO\sources\boot.wim
Dism /Mount-Wim /WimFile:C:\Win7ISO\sources\boot.wim /Index:2 /MountDir:C:\Mount
Dism /Image:C:\Mount /Add-Driver /Driver:C:\Drivers /Recurse
Dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:C:\Mount /Commit

See Microsoft guidance for adding drivers to boot/install images and Rufus/Intel notes on UEFI/NTFS media. (learn.microsoft.com)

Final cautions: expect driver and activation headaches on new hardware, and remember Windows 7 is out of mainstream support (no more security updates), so keep the downgraded PC isolated or use virtualization for risky tasks if you proceed. If firmware options are absent or locked, the OEM support line is the right next stop. (support.microsoft.com)

Recommended Answers

All 17 Replies

Member Avatar for JorgeM

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER BOOT SETUP

how is the computer preventing you from accessing the BIOS settings?

Member Avatar for Member #1102190

the system should not deny ur access to the BIOS settings... the thing may be that u r not getting the key to enter into it..
though in most cases the default keys to enter BIOS is F2, F8, Esc or Delete...try using them as soon as u press the power button to turn ur system ON..

Member Avatar for Bodmingaol

Have you tried to run the windows 7 install disk when you are in Windows 8? Ive done that before and its worked to downgrade. If my understanding is right, the boot record for the hdd wont get put down till the partition is wiped and the files copied. Nonetheless, @Sanchit Sahu is right about getting in the bios.

Member Avatar for Member #1102190

Using the window 7 install disk will help if and only if the default boot device is selected as ur disk drive.. otherwise the install disk wont be read automatically during the boot..

Still gave a good idea...try it...u might get lucky

Member Avatar for cguan_77

do you have a win 7 product key? if your OS is an OEM, you can't do that legally..the rest is your choice..
Win 8 is very good (my own opinion) you just need to be familiar with it..

Member Avatar for Member #1102190

is right..
but if u still wanna degrade...then dont worry about the product key.. there are plenty of them available on the internet..

commented: Please do not promote illegal activity here -3
Member Avatar for pritam.das.73594

go to PC settings and search for advanced startup option. There, press restart and it would restart directly into BIOS. Atleast this is what happens in 8.1. Try for it. It should work

Member Avatar for khakilang

Actually the correct word is downgrade not degrade. I have try once but unsuccessful. It maybe the UEFI thing in the BIOS that prevent your PC from booting from the DVD. Check with the vendor. If it is a clone computer than you may just go to BIOS setting and enable First Boot to DVD ROM. Hope this help.

Member Avatar for Wil 0' Wisp

If you can't get into the BIOS/CMOS to alter the Boot order, Have you tried using F10 or F12 or seen any FKey item on the POST screen which allows you to select the the boot device, often new systems will allow to do this. You then have to use the Up/down keys followed by enter to select the device. You will need a WIN7 O/s and a bootable one in the drive to start the process. And a viable Win7 license key

Member Avatar for Wil 0' Wisp

Looks like you need to check to see if the disk you have is bootable as well, you will need to find another PC to do this, you can power the system off on the power button once you have checked the disk will boot the system no harm done!

Member Avatar for Rakesh456

Can't degrade directly you will have to install fresh copy of Windows 7.

Member Avatar for p.h.p

You could put the installation on USB and then boot it by USB.

Member Avatar for caperjack

i know the OP will likely not return ,but for others ,start with going into the setting of win8 and disable aststartup , then reboot computer hitting the correct key for you computer to enter the bios and change from uefi mode to legacy mode,this should then boot to the win7 dvd\usb thumb drive or what ever media you are using,after installing win7 ,you can go back and change bios to uefi ,and turn fastboot back on ,thats my understanding of it all anyway ,
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6320-fast-startup-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

Edited by caperjack
Member Avatar for <\Jericho>

I offen HATE using the users manual, but in your case id look to see what keys you have to press on boot to hop into BIOS. On my Windows 8 machine the key is f2 but yours may be diferet.

Member Avatar for deyamag

Sometimes, new computers refuses old OS.
Read the motherboard catologue.

Member Avatar for svsathyavishnu

First copy all windows7 os files to a directory in your system. .
Run the setup.exe directly from the OS directory. .
If it's ask the product key enter that. .
After some time it will be finish. .
It's always work but some time getting problem by the cureption of directorry files or os requirments. .

Member Avatar for caperjack

WoW a one month old thread where OP has never returned sure gets a lot of attention

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