How can I run Win7 on a laptop that came w/ Win8?

[Cooky]

If I purchase a new laptop that came pre-installed w/ Windows 8, am I entitled to wipe it, and install Windows 7 instead?
In another word, is the license "backward compatible"?

How do I go about that?
Is there a link someone can send me?

If that's not feasible, would this make my Windows 8 look like Windows 7?
http://www.classicshell.net/

thanks.

 

[Berryracer]

only if your laptop comes preinstalled with Windows 8 pro are you eligible for a license downgrade.
And yes classic shell will make it look like 7 somehow

I personally use StartIsBack which is the best start menu replacement utility but it costs $2 USD for a license

 

[who?]

Windows 7 drivers may not exist for the latest hardware.

 

[PinchedNerve]

Upgrade to 8.1 first & give that a try. There are useful additions to 8.1 that make it far more tolerable for myself.

 

[glugglug]

Windows 7 drivers may not exist for the latest hardware.

Can you name one device released after 2006 for which this is the case?


It should be soon, since 8.1 has built in support for 3D printers while 7 and even 8 does not, but other than that I really can't think of one. Maybe there is an 8-only touchscreen?


Finding hardware that works in 7 but not 8 is pretty easy. But I have yet to hear of anything being the other way around. Maybe for one of those laptops where they purposely break the PCI device IDs to only be able to use the drivers from the OEM?

 

[corkyg]

Spend $4.99 and get Start8 - Win8 will then run exactly like Win7.

 

[John Connor]

I used Startisback. Same crap and cheaper.