how to uninstall windows 8.1 and replace with windows 7

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fenwayfan1

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Jan 12, 2014
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I installed windows 8.1 when I did this build, but now I'm running into issue's with specific games that I play. So I want to remove 8.1 and replace it with the windows 7 that I purchased...can some one give a quick walk through here? Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
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On the new UEFI systems, the BIOS no longer exists like before. There's no "F" key to press to get into it. They don't work anymore. On Win 8 you could go into PC Settings and make it boot to the BIOS and switch to boot to the DVD. Win 8.1 has removed this option and I'm currently looking for an answer myself, which is how I got here.

EDIT: Win 8.1 just moved the above to a different place. To get to the BIOS just click the following:

Open Charms bar,
Settings,
PC Settings,
Recovery and Update,
Recovery,
Advanced Startup,
Troubleshoot,
Advanced Options,
UEFI Firmware Settings,
Click Restart.

It will now reboot to the BIOS. Isn't that a lot simpler than just pressing F2 when you boot? This is hands-down the dumbest thing I...
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smorizio

smorizio

Titan
Jan 22, 2010
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boot from the windows 7 cd after you back up your own data. go into advance mode on window 7 cd and delete all the partions on the hard drive. this will remove windows 8x from your hard drive. then run the windows 7 installer. if windows 7 cd install right you be fine if you get a duel bot message you may have to use diskpart tools to delete the mbr and to start the install again.
 
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firo40

firo40

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Jul 16, 2011
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Insert windows 7 disc set the boot options in the bios to boot to the dvd drive. Restart when the win 7 disc loads click custom then when the screen with hard drive selection appears highlite the install drive select drive options them format. Then click the hardrive again and click next and continue the basic install process. When its done go back into the bios and change the boot priority back to the hardrive.
 
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fenwayfan1

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Jan 12, 2014
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Ok...I am not computer savy by any means. This was an xmas gift for my son. Here's what we have Samsung Evo ssd 250g(for OS only), Western dig. 1TB blue(for all the other crap) for drives and MSI G45 MB. I got the windows 8.1 disc and installed it. When he tries to plays Rift, Skyrim, Guild wars, Swtor and like games they crash or won't even load up. As for partitions I have no clue. So with everything we have read it seems 8.1 can't run any of these yet..so we figured lets go back to 7 and thats were we are at.
 
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straybeat

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Feb 12, 2014
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On the new UEFI systems, the BIOS no longer exists like before. There's no "F" key to press to get into it. They don't work anymore. On Win 8 you could go into PC Settings and make it boot to the BIOS and switch to boot to the DVD. Win 8.1 has removed this option and I'm currently looking for an answer myself, which is how I got here.

EDIT: Win 8.1 just moved the above to a different place. To get to the BIOS just click the following:

Open Charms bar,
Settings,
PC Settings,
Recovery and Update,
Recovery,
Advanced Startup,
Troubleshoot,
Advanced Options,
UEFI Firmware Settings,
Click Restart.

It will now reboot to the BIOS. Isn't that a lot simpler than just pressing F2 when you boot? This is hands-down the dumbest thing I have seen yet? LOL
 
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Solution
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Lefty666

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Jan 12, 2013
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Man............It's a good thing I saw this !!!! I Just 3 min ago, ordered a Win 8.1 Laptop and planned on putting win 7 pro on it as soon as it arrives. I was planning on just pressing F12 n boot from DVD Drive,rthen..Press any key to boot form DVD n go from there. So NO GO Huh??? Wow!!!
So TY for Posting this!!!!
Thank You!!!!!! You probably saved me from throwing it into the pool n saying it got wet......lmao
Lefty
 
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straybeat

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Feb 12, 2014
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I returned the Asus laptop that I had, thinking it was a poor implementation of UEFI. I tried 3 different brands, all the same. I ended up going to a pawn shop and finding a 2-year-old Dell that was top of the line for the year, for VERY cheap. It came with Win7, so all was good again!

I did a tiny bit of research on UEFI (because I could care less) and it seems that UEFI is another cheesy attempt by Microsoft to force us to keep using Windows 8? I ended up getting to Ubuntu and only use Windows to program my Harmony Remote (and before all the MS patriots scream "another Linux fanboi", I'm anti-microsoft NOT pro-Linux). :p LOL
 
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Lefty666

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Jan 12, 2013
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Straybeat,
Will this work on ANY Win 8.1 laptop? What about all the drivers. I heard some peeps having Major Probs getting all the correct drivers back when they do downgrade.
I basically just bought this as a Media Player. Reason being, is that.......Last week my 5 yyear old Gateway died on me. maaan that little sucker was an awesome little ( well it was a 17 in), but It was Great cause I basically just used it as a Media Player. I know what your thinking. Why? Well I hook it into my Onkyo TX-NR 818 A/V Reciever, tat has 2 video processors that upscale ANY thing I play through it to 1080P Vid & 7.2 Surround Sound! It also can upscale ANY thing I run trough it and it can Upscale to 2160P if the TV is 2160P w/7.2 SS also!!! So basically, I don't have to buy a $2500 dollar laptop just to get good A/V .
So I'm thinking that if there are peeps having Major issues getting the correct drivers back, maybe just leave Win 8.1 on it??? As long as I can use VLC Media Player on it!!!
So, ya think I should create sys discs just in case Win 7 downgrade don't allow me to load the right drivers, I can just load win 8.1 back on?
Or do you think I will be fine with the downgrade??? Shit....I don't even know if this is 32 or 64 bit Windows???
Guess I'll find out tomm?
If its 32 it's going back, but if it's 64 bit, can I downgrade it? It's an HP Anodized Silver 17.3" Pavilion 17-e119wm Laptop PC with AMD A10-5750M Quad-Core Processor, 8GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive and Windows 8.1
 
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oddjob1

Reputable
Aug 2, 2014
1
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4,510



Worked for me. Purchased ASUS w/Win 8.1. Followed your instructions and successfully removed Win 8.1 loaded Win 7 Pro. No issues. Thanks.















 
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Lefty666

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Jan 12, 2013
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Well I gave up!!! I found on Win 8.1 where the Desktop is. So when I turn it on, I just go there and pretty much just use it like Win 7.
I Know I'm eventually have to downgrade it to win &, but I'm only using it as a media player rite now. I have it conn to my /V Receiver then out to the TV. So for now, I'm just gonna leave it be.

The only problem I'm having is that when I restart this unit, The Win 8.1 Laptop gets disconn from the Homegroup.
EVERYTIME

Ahhh by the time I have my New Build completed, I'll know how to get it installed.!!!!!

Good Luck Everyone!!!
 
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Rickinator

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Oct 7, 2014
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4,510


use a gaming console like PS or Xbox. leave the PC for other things.
 
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Lefty666

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Jan 12, 2013
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Thanks Dude!!!! I fig u just put in the Win 7 disc, keep hitting F12 and boot off te CD . Then wipe out All drives and 7 should load. But as I said, I ONLY use t as a Media Player , conn to my Onkyo TX-NR 828 Receiver and out to the TV. So all I use in Win 8.1 is the Desktop app which is basically win 7, so that's as far as I'm gonna take it. Until I'm finished with my new Build with Win 7 Pro. That's when I plan on buying my new 4K Ultra TV's and using my 2 GTX Titan Black Vid Cards to conn to it , and I'll have 4096 x 2160P and I'll then put win 7 on the laptop and give it to my wifey!!!!
TY Dude!!!!

That's when I'll TRY to put Win 7 on this HP POS. And from your answer, if win 7 don't load, I have to Delete the mbr and it should load ..correct? If that's the case, all is kool Thanks Again!!!!
If I can't figure this out myself, I should be ashamed for even asking this stupid question lol:pt1cable:
 
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Ddram Bo

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Aug 21, 2013
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10,510
There's definitely a MS scam going on with these new laptops. I just tried my best to downgrade 8.1 to 7 on a new Toshiba Satellite C75 (C70 series). It was not a problem ridding 8.1 and installing 7, but the real issue was driver related. I couldn't get any drivers through Toshiba that were compatible with 7. Then I searched Toshiba for an answer, and I found a Toshiba 'expert' on the Toshiba forum trying to tell folks with similar problems that it was probably their fault for trying drivers other than the 'official' Toshiba drivers, even though there are no drivers for 7 for this laptop. The main problems involved the loss of function key access to hardware features, loss of WiFi, and no USB3. He suggested that if the proper drivers didn't work it was because they weren't installed in the correct order and proceeded to give his preference for installing them. He warned against using the AMD drivers from their site (since it has a AMD chipset, if not AMD APU also), but I found that the AMD drivers installed every time with no issues while the one supplied by Toshiba didn't seem to work at all. It's simply a scam to turn laptops into Win8 tablet pc's. Win8 sucks so bad that MS has already given up on it, so good luck to anyone getting one of these shiny lumps of coal for Xmas.
 
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Lefty666

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Jan 12, 2013
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Lefty666

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Jan 12, 2013
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Hey Ddram,
I had the same problem. The Drivers!!!! Grrrr what a pain in the ass. MS I Really Pushing the hell out of 8 & 8.1!!!!I I do ALOT of reaair work on peeps Laptops. some have Win &, some have Win 8.1. So I decided since I would be working on bth OS's, I put them on 2 SD's in a Hot Swap Bay ....what a NIGHTMARE that was lmfao. So I wiped the 8.1 n bought a $399 Laptop, just so I had that OS as well a 7 & could get used to it so I could help some folks out. You notice how it seems every other OS MS puts out 1 sux. look at XP It was Really Good. Then Vista, it Blew. Then 7 it's Great. Now 8.1 n it sux, but they don't seem to want to get rid of it like Vista. I think Touchscreens have a lot to do with it!
Let's see what they come out with next. Maybe that will be better than 8. Until then, I'll stick with 7 till it's not supported like XP.
TY for getting back to me!!! I Really Appreciate it!!!!
Thanks dude!!!
Lefty
 
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Lefty666

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Jan 12, 2013
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