Windows 8 to 7 Downgrade.

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khenderson42

khenderson42

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Jul 22, 2013
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Just wondering if you think it would be possible to downgrade from Windows 8 to 7. My laptop came pre-installed with Windows 8 and I hate it for anything that doesn't have a touch screen.
The laptop has:
i5-3317U 1.7GHz CPU
GeForce 640M 1GB GPU
128gb mSATA SSD
Atheros Bluetooth & WLAN Adapter.
I can't really think of much else it has. It also has BIOS v 2.17.
Would it be as simple as completely formatting the SSD and installing Windows 7 or do you reckon there would be compatibility issues with hardware/drivers?
Much Appreciated,
Kyle.
 
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SnakeGTX

SnakeGTX

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Aug 17, 2013
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Its not like Microsoft puts a extra copy of windows 7 in their windows 8 software, so you can't really get windows 7 for free unless you get it pirated which is against the law. And there will most likely be compatibility issues. So for now, i think you should just stay with windows 8. You do get a gaming performance boost from just using windows 8.
 
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anbello262

anbello262

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Sep 27, 2013
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I would predict that there would be almost no problem.
Probably, you will have to manually look for some drivers (specially the special manufacturer hardware that came with the laptop, like some specific functons for hte microphone or the trackpad).
Also, you might lose some funcionality (like some w8 exclusive finger swipe gestures), but nothing really relevant.
I would encourage you to try and do it, but you might want to check if the license for w8 included with the laptop allows you to reinstall it from a dvd (or image) later, with same serial, in case anything goes wrong.
Leaving aside w7 liecenses and that kind of stuff that you can weight for yourself, and looking specifically at software/hardware issues, I reccommend you downgrade. Even if you get a slight performance boost, I REALLY hate w8 on anything that doesn't have a touchscreen, so I understand what you mean.
 
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khenderson42

khenderson42

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Jul 22, 2013
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I was thinking of upgrading to Windows 8.1 for a bit and giving it a go, just not had the time to download the upgrade. I am aware of this, I have a copy of Windows 7 laying about from my Desktop somewhere, apparently you can use the same activation key but online activation fails so you need to phone up or something. Not only that, Acer Bloatware is the worst. There's so much haha.
 
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anbello262

anbello262

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Sep 27, 2013
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I suggest you downgrade, not gonna be any problem other than the hassle of reinstalling some secondary drivers for the gpu/microphone/etc.
And in case anything goes wrong, just get a Windows8 dvd/dvd image and reinstall it with the serial included with the laptop.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Nov 23, 2004
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Windows 8 on many new systems does NOT use the normal COA key number on a sticker. It is now a part of the bios and does not even work to download Windows 8 from the MS Windows 8 download program.

You would have to find an untouched(unless you like viruses and stuff) copy of the OEM version of Windows 8 on the net. Install that will grab the key from the bios and take care of you if you need to go back to 8 in the future.
 
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Z

Zonengorg

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Oct 14, 2013
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Hi there!!!

First off, make sure you have the original RMK (recovery media kit) for your laptop.
Second, check at the manufacturer support site for official drivers for w7.
Third, if the official manufacturer do not provide support for w7, check with the devices manufacturer for drivers for W7 (atheros, broadcom, realtek, amd, nvidia, etc.)
And, if you can, you can install in a virtual machine (ie.: virtual box) w7 and check/test if the drivers/devices work as intended.

Finally, sell this computer and get one compatible with w7 (just a few of them now :( ) Its a pain to downgrade, but the pain is greater with w8 xD

Cheers...
 
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khenderson42

khenderson42

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Jul 22, 2013
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The laptop doesn't have a code on the bottom which makes me think it might be something to do with the bios. However there are version of the laptop (M3-581TG) which come with windows 7. Only having a different processor - that I can see at least. On the acer support site there are drivers for Win 7 64-bit for all/most of the components.
 
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