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Downgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 7
Posted by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 11/26/2012 08:59 AM | 62 comment(s) ]
In his blog post, usability expert Jakob Nielsen of the Nielsen Norman Group explained in excruciating detail exactly why and how Windows 8 is difficult to use. It was a damning report that might have many questioning whether to take the Windows 8 plunge. The good news is you can buy a PC loaded with Windows 8 Pro, try out the new OS, and then downgrade to Windows 7. Unfortunately, however, the road back to Windows 7 can be confusing and full of twists.
Hewlett-Packard is typical: It does not support downgrades of consumer-grade Windows 8 PCs to Windows 7. But if you buy a machine loaded with Windows 8 Pro, you can make the jump. HP's policy is based on Microsoft's licensing terms, which support downgrade rights only to new PCs preloaded with Windows 8 Pro, the version of Windows designed for business.
Unfortunately, machines loaded with Windows 8 Pro will demand a pricing premium over similarly spec'd Windows 8 systems. We ran a quick comparison survey of machines from HP, Dell, and Toshiba, and found that an upgrade to the Pro version of Windows 8 increased system prices anywhere between $35 and $100.
And even when the price delta is small enough to justify buying a Windows 8 Pro machine (complete with downgrade rights!), the downgrade process can still be difficult to figure out. When PCWorld researched this, sales and support reps for both Microsoft and major PC manufacturers told us two different stories.
A Dell representative said that to downgrade from Windows 8, you needed to buy a new, unused copy of Windows 7—thus making the whole point of having downgrade rights pointless. Another representative said a Windows 7 disc image would be built into new Windows 8 Pro machines. This contradicts pretty much everything Microsoft has ever posted online about downgrade rights.
But after scouring Microsoft's online support pages, checking out real-world downgrade experiences on various forums, and then confirming the process with Microsoft's press team, we can now share the truth about how downgrades work for anyone with a PC running Windows 8 Pro.
Downgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 7
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Ven0m
Maha Guru
Posts: 1036
Joined: 2005-08-12
Maha Guru
Posts: 1036
Joined: 2005-08-12
#4467366 Posted on: 11/30/2012 10:46 AM
(...)
I forget how much I paid for Windows 7, but Windows 8 cost me £25 for Pro upgrade. I'll upgrade our other 7 systems after Christmas too.
(...)
The Upgrade Assistant works even on not activated Win7, so perhaps you'd be able to keep Win7 licenses along with the new Win8 ones. Although I'm not sure how it works license-wise - if it's legit or not; one would probably have to ask MS support.
(...)
I forget how much I paid for Windows 7, but Windows 8 cost me £25 for Pro upgrade. I'll upgrade our other 7 systems after Christmas too.
(...)
The Upgrade Assistant works even on not activated Win7, so perhaps you'd be able to keep Win7 licenses along with the new Win8 ones. Although I'm not sure how it works license-wise - if it's legit or not; one would probably have to ask MS support.
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Master Guru
Posts: 669
Joined: 2006-08-12
So I installed the Windows 8 Preview. We had issues. The remote control wasn't working in Metro properly and then it just died.
I installed Windows 8 on my Dad's Ye Olde Athlon 64 computer. He was amazed how much better than Vista it was (heh...). He installed Start8, from StarDock (best program they ever made) and customised to his taste. In fact, I was so amazed I bought a copy for my HTPC to test on my network.
Install went super easy. Every device was found. Even the Eltron USB3 Controller that Windows 7 wouldn't find!
We have several Windows 7 computers in my home network. I prefer the Windows 8 machine though. It runs TF2 and XBMC better than Windows 7. It can even power on by remote control (which never worked in Windows 7 for me) and then navigate to XBMC, Media Center or games. I don't even have a keyboard or mouse attached 90% of the time.
I forget how much I paid for Windows 7, but Windows 8 cost me £25 for Pro upgrade. I'll upgrade our other 7 systems after Christmas too.
Sorry Jakob Nielsen, but you're doing it all wrong!