Downgrading from Windows 10 to 7 using a bootable USB/CD (Need help)

[HelpmePLEASE1111]

So I bought a laptop and I want to 'downgrade' the laptop to Windows 7. I've tried multiple methods in the boot options, setting legacy boot mode to on/off and disabling secure boot. However I keep running into an error of "The selected boot device failes. Press <enter> .. etc"

I've tried using the CD I used on my computer years ago which I know works as I'm using now, and then I've made a fresh bootable USB but I run into the same problem.

It's a HP laptop running Windows 10. I have no clue as to why the boot devices keep failing. The only other method I can think of is to use a program to nuke the hard drive, however I doubt that will even run, or if it does, does it gaurantee the bootable usb/CD working?

 

[Rocky Bennett]

If this is a new laptop that shipped with Windows 10, are you sure that there are drivers for Windows 7? That is probably your biggest concern.

Also, do you have a legitimate unused license for Windows 7? That might also be an issue.

 

[HelpmePLEASE1111]

If this is a new laptop that shipped with Windows 10, are you sure that there are drivers for Windows 7? That is probably your biggest concern.

Also, do you have a legitimate unused license for Windows 7? That might also be an issue.

Aren't the drivers packed with the installation? Else how would I install windows onto a clean hard drive like I did for my current set up?

 

[Hrtguy]

Ok just to get some things clear. You have either a flash drive OR a dvd with Windows 7 on it (Did you properly mount it?) and when you enter your computers BIOS does the USB drive appear in the list of devices.

 

[Rocky Bennett]

If this is a new laptop that shipped with Windows 10, are you sure that there are drivers for Windows 7? That is probably your biggest concern.

Also, do you have a legitimate unused license for Windows 7? That might also be an issue.

Aren't the drivers packed with the installation? Else how would I install windows onto a clean hard drive like I did for my current set up?

No, drivers are not included with the installation, Windows gets these from the internet either during or after installation of your OS.

 

[HelpmePLEASE1111]

Ok just to get some things clear. You have either a flash drive OR a dvd with Windows 7 on it (Did you properly mount it?) and when you enter your computers BIOS does the USB drive appear in the list of devices.

I have both. A disc which I used about 4 years ago to install Windows 7 to my current computer, after that failed I made a bootable USB using the official 'Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool".

I can't find anywhere in the BIOS that lists the connected USB's, but it's present in the boot order as a system. I haven't looked at my BIOS for my computer for a long time, but the HP one seems very limited.

 

[Colif]

what model laptop is it? HP make a lot so if you more specific can probably find something on booting from USB

 

[HelpmePLEASE1111]

what model laptop is it? HP make a lot so if you more specific can probably find something on booting from USB

HP - Pavilion 15-ab155sa

I've checked the drivers page for anything relevant to my issue.

 

[Colif]

Someone asked same question on hp and kept getting linked to http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03736054 which only shows how to boot of CD or DVD

try putting USB into PC and then going into BIOS and see if it appears in boot order, many bios used to work like that, only offer devices seen at the time as choices. see here: http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-System-and-Recovery/hp-pavilion-15-e016tu-usb-device-boot/td-p/3834548

 

[Colif]

BUT before you do any of that, have a look here: http://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pavilion-15-ab100-notebook-pc-series/8499302/model/10135846#Z7_3054ICK0K8UDA0AQC11TA930O2

You don't have any Win 7 drivers. None. Laptop only has Win 10 drivers so its not going to work out very well for you if you continue. You have to use win 10 as that is only choice. You should have looked into that before buying it