Possible to downgrade from Windows 8 to 7 on new laptops?

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Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
91
I need an answer because I plan on getting a new laptop soon. I've been to Best Buy for the last couple of weekends trying to get comfortable with Windows 8 but I just can't. I don't like it. This is the first Windows operating system that I just abhor. Even when people were talking trash about Vista, I accepted it (the x64 version, no less) because it came with a much better version of WMC. But Windows 8 I just don't like. Speaking of Vista, because of the negative campaign against the operating system, many vendors made it clear that you could downgrade to XP. Is this the same for Windows 8? I would love to get a new Sony laptop but the thought of using Windows 8 on a regular basis has me considering bringing another MacBook into our home (Wife hated W8 when she tried it as well). But the Mac was made for OS X, not Windows 7 and, using Parallel, the refresh rate is off kilter and when I type in Gmail the letters are not visible (I like Internet Explorer, which is not available on Mac OS X). Sony has nothing official to say, which is never good. The Best Buy rep says yes but he may just be trying to get a sale and I'd hate to return a perfectly good laptop based on bad info.
 
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DesiPower

DesiPower

Lifer
Nov 22, 2008
15,299
740
126
If you question is whether Sony will let you downgrade to 7, then the answer is no, Microsoft is pushing really hard on 8 and wont let vendors do that. Your best option is to buy one with 8 (plus a load of bloatware) and then get win 7 OEM, its less than $100 now iirc, and its CLEAN! I would not mind spending the extra $100 if I really needed a LT, plus you are buying a Sony so i am sure price is not on the top of your priority list :D

/ibtm
 
DesiPower

DesiPower

Lifer
Nov 22, 2008
15,299
740
126
SunnyD said:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx
Click to expand...

MS OEM partners can do that for their business customers who's infrastructure is not ready for newer OS, I don't think it applies to end users.

Steps to downgrade Windows software

To downgrade Microsoft Windows 8 or Windows 7 software, customers must:

Purchase a PC preinstalled with Windows software.
Accept the End User Software License Terms.
Perform the downgrade or authorize a third party to perform it on their behalf.
Click to expand...
 
SunnyD

SunnyD

Belgian Waffler
Jan 2, 2001
32,675
146
106
www.neftastic.com
DesiPower said:
MS OEM partners can do that for their business customers who's infrastructure is not ready for newer OS, I don't think it applies to end users.
Click to expand...

End users need to contact the OEM in order to acquire media and a key for downgrade.

That document spells it out in the next section right below what you quoted.

Yes, generally downgrade rights are utilized by businesses dealing with Volume Licensing. But if your OEM is generous, they MAY give you media and a key for downgrade purposes as entitled by the downgrade rights provided you have the correct license in the first place.
 
T

thegimp03

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2004
7,420
2
81
Why don't you just buy a Windows 7 laptop on Amazon? That's what I did for my mom for Christmas. I figured since she was already using Win7 on her desktop, getting her a laptop with Win7 was the best idea. If I got her something with Win8 then I'd have to play tech support on an OS that I don't plan on using myself.
 
Oldgamer

Oldgamer

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2013
3,280
1
0
Yazoo said:
Windows 8 takes time to get used to, it is here to stay and all future versions of windows will have the same look and feel (metro, charms, etc.) Any computer running Windows 8 should be able to run Windows 7 with no issues. I suggest backing up all the system driver first before the reload. If you need a start menu, try either Start Menu 8 or classic shell, both are free.

I have been using Windows 8 since December and hated it as well, but the more you use and learn it, the more you realize it's better than Windows 7 in many ways and some annoyances can be disabled or turned off via group edit and registry fixes.

When you get that new pc, either stick with Windows 7 or 8, don't go back to XP.
Click to expand...

Dari said:
I need an answer because I plan on getting a new laptop soon. I've been to Best Buy for the last couple of weekends trying to get comfortable with Windows 8 but I just can't. I don't like it. This is the first Windows operating system that I just abhor. Even when people were talking trash about Vista, I accepted it (the x64 version, no less) because it came with a much better version of WMC. But Windows 8 I just don't like. Speaking of Vista, because of the negative campaign against the operating system, many vendors made it clear that you could downgrade to XP. Is this the same for Windows 8? I would love to get a new Sony laptop but the thought of using Windows 8 on a regular basis has me considering bringing another MacBook into our home (Wife hated W8 when she tried it as well). But the Mac was made for OS X, not Windows 7 and, using Parallel, the refresh rate is off kilter and when I type in Gmail the letters are not visible (I like Internet Explorer, which is not available on Mac OS X). Sony has nothing official to say, which is never good. The Best Buy rep says yes but he may just be trying to get a sale and I'd hate to return a perfectly good laptop based on bad info.
Click to expand...

Yea I just bought a second desktop computer ASUS machine, and having to get used to the Windows 8 OS. It seems like a cluster fuck when you look at their start screen. From an IT perspective you have to relearn where everything is, takes time, but if you just keep playing around on it you quickly get the hang of it. I have noticed not all of my games seem to run as well graphics wise with Windows 8. I really hate that you have to tie an email to the system.

I think my favorite is still Windows 7. It feels like Windows 8 is headed down the Apple path tying everything together and selling products.
 
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