HP Pavillion - Can I upgrade to Windows 7 for free?

[TheDarkKnight]

I like the price of some of the HP Pavillion computers. The sad part is most of the newer ones come crippled with Windows 8 software. Do I have a legal right to upgrade my new purchase to Windows 7 if I purchase one of these systems? What's the policy on this?

 

[JEDIYoda]

I like the price of some of the HP Pavillion computers. The sad part is most of the newer ones come crippled with Windows 8 software. Do I have a legal right to upgrade my new purchase to Windows 7 if I purchase one of these systems? What's the policy on this?

A legal right to what?
Just because you purchase a computer from HP does not mean you have a legal right to anything you did not purchase!

It`s too bad your trying to be cute with your words!
Windows 7 is NOT an upgrade from Windows 8......regardless of what you might think.

What I would do is e-mail them and ask if it can be purchased with win7 in stead of the far superior windows 8.........-- you can get all the information you need off the internet--you know -- google search..lol...novel concept, huh....internet search....

I know that most companies are migrating to windows 8....

You would need to deal directly with Microsoft!

 

[XiandreX]

If you get Windows 8 Pro you have downgrade rights to Windows 7. You call Microsoft and request a Windows 7 Pro key using your Windows 8 Pro key/purchase as proof. You then just need to track down a Windows 7 pro disk to use for the install.

I dont see the need to go back to Windows 7 but i understand for some very special situations people do.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

If you get Windows 8 Pro you have downgrade rights to Windows 7. You call Microsoft and request a Windows 7 Pro key using your Windows 8 Pro key/purchase as proof. You then just need to track down a Windows 7 pro disk to use for the install.

I fail to see the need to go back to Windows 7 but i understand for some very special situations people do.

I failed to see any reason to go forward to Windows 8. And since I have abstained from doing so for all this amount of time. There is no reason for me to change now. I'll see if Windows 9 is worthy of my time. Windows 8 is not. But I realize this is only a personal choice. So lovers of Windows 8 please do not cut your wrists and jump out a window. It is only my personal opinion.

My degree of attention deficit disorder doesn't warrant me wanting to upgrade to Windows 8 to save a few seconds on boot-up. And equating that with sexual nirvana. Give me 10 extra seconds of boot time versus a dumbed down UI that would be an insult even to chimpanzees any day of the week. Contrary to what Julie Larson thinks I actually like making my own decisions.

 

[Chiropteran]

If you get Windows 8 Pro you have downgrade rights to Windows 7. You call Microsoft and request a Windows 7 Pro key using your Windows 8 Pro key/purchase as proof. You then just need to track down a Windows 7 pro disk to use for the install.

Do you have a source on this?

I understand you can do this with a corporate software assurance account, but I don't recall end users with retail computers having the same rights.

 

[taq8ojh]

If you bought a HP notebook with Windows 8, you have very high chances you won't be able to find Windows 7 drivers for it. Those from similar models MIGHT work, but it's not guaranteed. Also, finding them is usually quite a pain in the ass.

I really started to despise HP in last year. They make absolutely sure to annoy the hell out of their customers.

 

[stinger608]

Here is a blurb right from Microsoft:

Downgrade and down-edition rights are an end-user right that Microsoft offers to customers for certain OEM products which meet the technical requirements for a Windows software downgrade. Downgrade rights are documented in the Software License Terms that customers accept upon first running Windows and Windows Server software. Thanks to downgrade rights, end users who have acquired a later version of the software (such as Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard) can use an earlier version of the software (such as Windows 7 Professional or Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard) until they are ready to migrate to a later version technology.

If a product includes downgrade rights, the license terms for that product will indicate which earlier versions of the software may be used.

To be a little clearer on this, they also have this:

The following OEM versions of Windows software are eligible for downgrade rights.

Windows 8.1:
Windows 8.1 Pro includes downgrade rights to:
Windows 7 Professional
Windows Vista Business


Windows 7:
Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate include downgrade rights to:
Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, or Windows XP x64 Edition
Note Other OEM Windows 7 versions (for example, Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Premium) do not include downgrade rights.

Source page:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=HPjbepj2Thf

So that should answer the OP's question. No need to flame the OP or assume something until doing further research.

Now if the OP does buy said laptop and needs to download the official ISO image of Windows 7, it can be found here:

http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

This should resolve any questions regarding this.

 

[ViRGE]

Doesn't using your downgrade rights also require the user to go find an old Win7 license to be repurposed?

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Here is a blurb right from Microsoft:



To be a little clearer on this, they also have this:



Source page:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=HPjbepj2Thf

So that should answer the OP's question. No need to flame the OP or assume something until doing further research.

Now if the OP does buy said laptop and needs to download the official ISO image of Windows 7, it can be found here:

http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

This should resolve any questions regarding this.

Yes, getting the answer straight from the horses mouth(Microsoft) makes everything pretty crystal clear. The only sad part is most, if not all, of the "newer" Hewlett Packard Pavillion desktops only come with the standard Windows 8.1 from what I can tell. They want $100 extra dollars to upgrade to the 'pro' version. So I would have to pay $100 to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro so that I can upgrade again to Windows 7.
For that much money I can just purchase an OEM copy of Windows 7 straight up. So the good deal becomes a mediocre deal. Microsoft sucks!

 

[taq8ojh]

No, actually HP sucks. You can't freely choose a bloody OS, they are giving you one choice.

 

[XiandreX]

Doesn't using your downgrade rights also require the user to go find an old Win7 license to be repurposed?

The only thing you need to source on your own is the Disk for Windows 7 Pro. (just using an example).
You call Microsoft for the Windows 7 Pro key. They will of course ask for your Licence key / proof of a legitimate windows 8 Pro.

 

[XiandreX]

I failed to see any reason to go forward to Windows 8. And since I have abstained from doing so for all this amount of time. There is no reason for me to change now. I'll see if Windows 9 is worthy of my time. Windows 8 is not. But I realize this is only a personal choice. So lovers of Windows 8 please do not cut your wrists and jump out a window. It is only my personal opinion.

My degree of attention deficit disorder doesn't warrant me wanting to upgrade to Windows 8 to save a few seconds on boot-up. And equating that with sexual nirvana. Give me 10 extra seconds of boot time versus a dumbed down UI that would be an insult even to chimpanzees any day of the week. Contrary to what Julie Larson thinks I actually like making my own decisions.

I was just explaining how to move down to Windows 7. You may not see the behind the UI improvements in Windows 8/8.1 but that doesnt mean they don't exist. That discussion has been covered many times in other threads.

 

[Doomer]

The Win 7 vs. Win 8 battle will never have a winner. You all might as well not even mention it. Peace.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

The Win 7 vs. Win 8 battle will never have a winner. You all might as well not even mention it. Peace.

True, I think it comes down to a personal choice in the end. But given how controversial the Windows 8 release has been tells you something about it. Even Microsoft has implicitly realized what a botched failure the initial release of Windows 8 was.

What was that mistake? Trying to be all things to all people too fast. Now they are talking about releasing multiple skus of Windows 8 targeted to different groups of people. Gee, what an original idea. Should have been done from day 1.

I wouldn't touch Windows 8 with a 10-foot pole at this point. It will go down in history forever as Microsoft's "New Coke" moment. The stigma and stench from the name alone will keep me away until Windows 9 is released. At that point I think Microsoft will finally have gotten their head far enough out of their @$$ to release a family of Windows 9 products that everybody can be happen about. Businesses, hardcore users, and everybody who think's touch is 'da bomb, word up dude!!!!'.

Releasing 3 skus targeted toward these 3 groups could have made everybody happy from the very beginning.

 

[wiin]

I find it hilarious that people who keep harping about how bad win 8 is continue to use it. Stop giving yourself stress and stop using it. there are alternatives u know. oh wait, learning curve is involve too. man that's just to much stress. I'll just keep on harping on windows 8. Much more fun. Besides, got nothing better to do.

True, I think it comes down to a personal choice in the end. But given how controversial the Windows 8 release has been tells you something about it. Even Microsoft has implicitly realized what a botched failure the initial release of Windows 8 was.

What was that mistake? Trying to be all things to all people too fast. Now they are talking about releasing multiple skus of Windows 8 targeted to different groups of people. Gee, what an original idea. Should have been done from day 1.

I wouldn't touch Windows 8 with a 10-foot pole at this point. It will go down in history forever as Microsoft's "New Coke" moment. The stigma and stench from the name alone will keep me away until Windows 9 is released. At that point I think Microsoft will finally have gotten their head far enough out of their @$$ to release a family of Windows 9 products that everybody can be happen about. Businesses, hardcore users, and everybody who think's touch is 'da bomb, word up dude!!!!'.

Releasing 3 skus targeted toward these 3 groups could have made everybody happy from the very beginning.

 

[Gunbuster]

So price is a main concern but spending hours and hours to track down drivers, reload the OS, futz around, and hope everything works in Windows 7 is not?

If Windows 8.1 is sooooo crippled why not spend $5 on a start menu replacement app and call it good?

 

[Mem]

So price is a main concern but spending hours and hours to track down drivers, reload the OS, futz around, and hope everything works in Windows 7 is not?

If Windows 8.1 is sooooo crippled why not spend $5 on a start menu replacement app and call it good?

Exactly!..Plenty of free start button menu mods if you need one,also Win8 is an UPGRADE especially where security is concerned over 7 ,I know nobody here would argue with that statement.

 

[JackMDS]

Instead of wasting your time BS around, find some simple work for 10 hours and get this.

http://www.newegg.com/Operating-Syst...68?Order=PRICE

 

[XiandreX]

So price is a main concern but spending hours and hours to track down drivers, reload the OS, futz around, and hope everything works in Windows 7 is not?

If Windows 8.1 is sooooo crippled why not spend $5 on a start menu replacement app and call it good?

This right here is the option that makes the most sense. Windows 8.1 + Start menu app is Windows 7 for all intents and purposes. You don't even need to pay $5. Classic shell is free and works perfectly fine.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

This right here is the option that makes the most sense. Windows 8.1 + Start menu app is Windows 7 for all intents and purposes. You don't even need to pay $5. Classic shell is free and works perfectly fine.

Can I have 20 applications open at once, see what those 20 applications are at a glance, switch to any of those 20 applications that are open and running with a single mouse click? I am asking, I don't know. From what I have heard, probably not, and if not, Windows 8 is a failure. It should be called Window 8.

Sorry, but sitting around and pretending that the only mistake Microsoft made was removing a start menu is a straw man argument. Nobody cares about the start menu. I care about true-multitasking, and doing things my way, with the most flexibility, control, and power. I don't want a cookie-cutter OS that has had features baked-in out of the box that work for most people.

Please stop pretending the $5 missing start menu transforms the Windows 8 tablet OS into the perfect desktop OS. It does not.

And stop pretending Windows 8 security is a reason to upgrade. The NSA is reading your email right now and Microsoft is probably powerless to do anything about it. But your okay with that because it makes you feel safer right? But if you wanna pretend that your computer is safer because your using Windows 8 it's probably because you surf porn sites and download pirated software. "He who is not sick does not require a physician".

The security features of Windows 8 and how it is "oh so much safer" are way the **** over-hyped. YEEZUS, please stop people, you sound like a broken record.

 

[Gunbuster]

Can I have 20 applications open at once, see what those 20 applications are at a glance, switch to any of those 20 applications that are open and running with a single mouse click?

Of course. Windows 8 desktop/taskbar multi-monitor customization is better than 7.

Funny how you are spouting off about a non existent problem because you have failed to research it.

 

[Zxian]

Can I have 20 applications open at once, see what those 20 applications are at a glance, switch to any of those 20 applications that are open and running with a single mouse click? I am asking, I don't know. From what I have heard, probably not, and if not, Windows 8 is a failure. It should be called Window 8.

Sorry, but sitting around and pretending that the only mistake Microsoft made was removing a start menu is a straw man argument. Nobody cares about the start menu. I care about true-multitasking, and doing things my way, with the most flexibility, control, and power. I don't want a cookie-cutter OS that has had features baked-in out of the box that work for most people.

Please stop pretending the $5 missing start menu transforms the Windows 8 tablet OS into the perfect desktop OS. It does not.

And stop pretending Windows 8 security is a reason to upgrade. The NSA is reading your email right now and Microsoft is probably powerless to do anything about it. But your okay with that because it makes you feel safer right? But if you wanna pretend that your computer is safer because your using Windows 8 it's probably because you surf porn sites and download pirated software. "He who is not sick does not require a physician".

The security features of Windows 8 and how it is "oh so much safer" are way the **** over-hyped. YEEZUS, please stop people, you sound like a broken record.

Have you actually used Windows 8 before? All of this sounds like the same drivel we saw when XP was first released. 8.1 has just the same amount of customization as 7, and it is a better operating system overall. Some of the UI elements have changed a bit - that's all.

 

[xSauronx]

Can I have 20 applications open at once, see what those 20 applications are at a glance, switch to any of those 20 applications that are open and running with a single mouse click? I am asking, I don't know. From what I have heard, probably not, and if not, Windows 8 is a failure. It should be called Window 8.

i run windows 8 just like i did windows 7: all of my regularly used programs are pinned to the taskbar, and anything i use only now and again is a win key + search away.

mostly. they did move a few things and remove a couple of little used things, as usual. turning your pc off (which ideally you wouldnt do that often) is ridiculous, but restarting it is exactly as ridiculous and i *do* need to do that from time to time.

im pretty happy with 8.1. its on my home pc and my work laptop. the only issues i run into are the random compatibility problems but those are very rare. i run into more issues with my work laptop having redirected folders and that shit has been around for a long, long time.

 

[Underclocked]

8.1 with classic shell, no pinned icons, quick launch, and explorer ++. Not much difference from 7 at all. Never see Metro as I've no use for it or the apps. Very stable and you can open a heap of programs in various windows available with a single click - don't know about 20 but I've had several open at once.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

8.1 with classic shell, no pinned icons, quick launch, and explorer ++. Not much difference from 7 at all. Never see Metro as I've no use for it or the apps. Very stable and you can open a heap of programs in various windows available with a single click - don't know about 20 but I've had several open at once.

Okay, so maybe if I ever have to use Windows 8 or get it on a new computer because I am forced too I will try it out. At least it would come with 8.1 and maybe 8.2 if I keep procrastinating. But in all honestly, I still don't feel compelled to upgrade to Windows 8.1. I guess it has something to do with the law of diminishing returns. Okay, it boots a few seconds faster, whoopie-do. Better security? Probably in theory but how much of that strengthened security will actually be required for a normal average everyday user? You could say that an operating system that requires you to perform a fingerprint and retinal scan to log-on was more 'secure'. LoL. Uh yeah...but seriously is that extra security practical or even necessary? Not on my home system.

Even if I amuse the concept that it has many small improvements over Windows 7 it's just too time consuming and not compelling enough to bother with at the moment. I have a SandyBridge and an IvyBridge based computer. Haswell CPUs are out now..are they better? Let's say yes. Maybe they are better but not enough of an improvement over what I already got for me to care and to put a lot of time and effort into upgrading. The same goes for Windows 8 I guess.

So, ultimately at this point, I will rely on fate to determine when I upgrade from Windows 7 Ultimate. I've abstained from using Windows 8 all this time. If I sit the game out another year, they will release Windows 9 and I think I will just wait for that moment to upgrade. Then I can say I sat out of the beta test for the true final operating system that Microsoft (probably) wanted to deliver. And that is Windows 9.