cant install windows 7 in the preinstalled windows 8 laptop

iamrahul86 said:

My question is whether dual-boot works if I don't have the Pro edition of Windows 8?
I read somewhere that dual-boot only works with Windows 8 Pro.

You can dual boot any Pre-installed Windows 8 x64 with any Windiws 7 x64.

You may be confusing it with Windows 8 Professional being downgradable to a free license for Win7, the only version which allows this as of now (until MS comes to their senses).

I recently shrank C on a new Win8 PC with Disk mgmt to install Win7 using UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums.

All I had to do with the Win8 BIOS is disable Secure Boot, which sometimes takes some sleuthing in the BIOS. If you cannot find it easily, post back a camera snap of the Boot tab so we can help you. Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

gregrocker said:

You may be confusing it with Windows 8 Professional being downgradable to a free license for Win7, the only version which allows this as of now (until MS comes to their senses).

MS have been doing this for over 10 years.

Isn't Professional the only version which allows this?

Is it also a "one-time only" choice for Win8>Win7, and how does that work?

gregrocker said:

Isn't Professional the only version which allows this?

Always OEM Pre-installed Pro or higher.

Core Licenses.zip

MS said:

Can I transfer the software to another user? You may transfer the software directly to another user, only with the licensed computer. The transfer must include the software, proof of purchase, and, if provided with the computer, an authentic Windows label such as the certificate of authenticity label including the product key. You may not keep any copies of the software or any earlier version. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.

Pro Licenses.zip

MS said:

Can I downgrade the software? Instead of using the Windows 8 Pro software, you may use one of the following earlier versions: Windows 7 Professional or Windows Vista Business.
This agreement applies to your use of the earlier versions. If the earlier version includes different components, any terms for those components in the agreement that come with the earlier version apply to your use of such components. Neither the manufacturer or installer, nor Microsoft, is obligated to supply earlier versions to you. You must obtain the earlier version separately. At any time, you may replace an earlier version with Windows 8 Pro. To enable downgrade on this computer to Windows 7, you must change the settings to boot into legacy BIOS mode. If the BIOS setting is not changed back to native UEFI mode boot prior to installing Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Pro will install; however, the following Windows 8 Pro functionalities will not work as they rely on UEFI mode boot:
• Secure Boot,
• Seamless Boot experience,
• Network unlock for Bitlocker for computers with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and

MS said:

Can I transfer the software to another user? You may transfer the software directly to another user, only with the licensed computer. The transfer must include the software, proof of purchase, and, if provided with the computer, an authentic Windows label such as the certificate of authenticity label including the product key. You may not keep any copies of the software or any earlier version. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.

Is it also a "one-time only" choice for Win8>Windows 7, and how does that work?

No upgrade path using OEM,

gregrocker said:

Make your Recovery disks and save a System image as a secondary backup. Back up your files, unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, if this is a new Win8 PC look for a setting to disable Secure Boot. Then enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module (CSM). This should remove any EFI Boot Disk from BIOS Boot order. Set DVD drive first to boot, HDD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DIS 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CONVERT MBR
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

The purpose of creating the partition above is to wipe the HD and define an Active partition which resolves most install failures. Afterwards you can adjust the OS partition size in Disk Mgmt, create other partitions as desired.

Hi, I am trying to install win 7 on a brand new laptop that came with win 8 on it.

I tried to follow these instructions, but I hit "Shift + F10" at the first sign of the installer, nothing happens. Windows files begin transferring and then the install hangs on the "starting windows" screen.

I have tried this a bunch of times and cannot get a command prompt to come up. Any ideas?

The steps you quote are to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7. First be sure whether you want UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube. If you want UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums. If not then use those steps I listed.

The key combo is pressed at the first screen after booting into installer. If it fails then proceed to the second screen, select Repair My Computer, then under System Recovery Options you'll find the Command line.

You can also proceed with the install to delete all partitions which may be enough to enable the installer to reformat the HD as an MBR disk from a GPT disk, or clear blockages for a UEFI install if that's what you want. .

Well, as of right now, I can get the machine to boot from the win 7 dvd. However, the system hangs on the starting windows screen, immediately after the "swirling balls" form into the windows logo. At that point, the optical drive cycles up and then down a couple times and then just turns off. Then the computer just sits there. Not sure what is going on.

By the way, I found and did this:

disable Secure Boot

But could not find either of these options in my BIOS:

Then enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module (CSM)

When you boot the disk does it say UEFI DVD on the Boot Menu?

If you cannot find the Legacy BIOS or CSM settings in BIOS setup, then post back camera snaps of each of the screens so we can read the choices and point them out to you. They are always there on Secure Boot PC. They may be under Boot tab or nearby Secure Boot.

Where did you get the WIn7 disk? Did you burn it yourself? Has it worked to install before? What happens if you boot it in another PC?