Downgrade Dell Win8 pro to Win7 Pro with Dell DVD

gregrocker said:

Excuse me but why are we still having a discussion about drivers almost five years after the release of the first driver-complete OS?

This discussion became moot after XP because Win7 includes all drivers in the installer and then via all rounds of Important and optional Windows Updates which should be done immediately after install.

There are never more than a few drivers then missing which can easily be found. We can help you if necessary. It rarely takes more than a few minutes.

We have never had a single case I have seen where drivers could not be found for Win7, yet the discussion still often starts with hand-wringing over "Where will I get the drivers?"

This is all explained and a perfect install sequenced in Clean Reinstall OEM which still and all applies here. You only need to disable Secure Boot in BIOS and attempt a UEFI install. If it causes problems we often see users decide instead to install in Legacy Mode which always works.

I don't know why Dell would tell you that you can't downgrade to Win7 when you have Windows 8 Professional which features free downgrade if desired. You don't need to purchase anything. Dell will have to get it activated, or else MS Customer Service should be contacted to find out why they are violating the EULA for that version.

Hi Greg,

You are absolutely correct as most of the drivers are inbuilt to the windows and rest you can easily find on the manufacturer's website.

We can also confirm that you can downgrade from Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7 Pro free of charge which is explained here as well:

http://dell.to/17XJ0OW

Also, if customer request we are also sending the disks for Windows 7 Pro as well for downgrade.

@ gregrocker

hand-wringing !!!

SandeepP said:

http://dell.to/17XJ0OW

So I do need to download some drivers ... or maybe not.
In my academic career I have always questioned ...
... "I think", "I thought", "might", "maybe", "mostly", "sometimes", "standard procedure" and the sweeping statement "appropriate" !

I am attempting to be as well prepared and informed before tackling the Dell laptop.
No point in cocking it up and then coming back to this forum trying to fix a disaster, because of misinformation by others ... or worse ... my own stupidity.

OP (me) post #1 said:

I am the original village idiot. Have never installed an OS in my life.
So I would appreciate gentle humoring and micro step instructions.

Hi "SandeepP"
Thank you for your response. :)

I visited your suggested http://dell.to/17XJ0OW but "Dell Inspiron 15 3521" is not listed

Also, if customer request we are also sending the disks for Windows 7 Pro as well for downgrade

IF the Inspiron 15 can be downgraded ... do I have the disk. ?
This is the disc that Dell phone support told me would not be recognised (rejected) by Microsoft registration.
Dell are sending a refund for this DVD.



If this is an "appropriate" downgrade disc ... can I downgrade from Win-8 x64 Pro to Win-7 x32 Pro, using this Dell disc. ?

Daughter installed MS Office 2010 (on the Win8 x64 OS) but it was auto installed as x32 ??
Why when the OS is 64 bit?

Thanks again :)

Hi "gregrocker" :)
Now that the smoke has cleared there appears to be several suggestions of how to "downgrade" from Win-8 to Win-7.
Tell me if I am wrong.

Post #16 eightforums.com Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7. I don't understand most of it.
Post #18 sevenforums.com Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 ... just as daunting.

Problems:-
1. I don't have a disc, other than the confusing Dell Reinstallation disc Win7 Pro SP1 64-Bit
. . . Dell phone support told me MS will not activate Win-7 on an already Win-8 laptop.
. . . "SandeepP" implies the opposite
. . . Dell have already sent a refund for their disc ... their idea not mine.

## Impossible to stay with Dell when so much conflicting advice from big-corp

2. There are no recovery discs for this Dell OS.

I did not know about recovery discs until about 4 months ago (that is why I am haunting sevenforums.com to learn)

As I understand it recovery discs are best created with a clean installed OS without the scars of use.

With my extremely limited knowledge (I was the inspiration for "Idiots Guide") ...

A new OEM Windows 7 x32 clean installed onto the Dell would be a lot simpler for me. ??
With a new install (first experience) under my belt I would feel more confident to tackle more complex BIOS stuff later on.
I can buy a genuine local OEM Win7 x32 (or x64) ... for peace of mind and I hope a more straight forward OS install.

Concerns:-
Will the Dell accept/work with a new (non-Dell) Win7 x32 OS and drivers ?.
From what you say "Greg (rocker)" IF something does not work this forum can help me out to resolve those "if" issues.

My faith in big corp is rather low having contracted to giant multi-nationals for decades.
To much smoke and mirrors and trusting in the good fairy.
A 2007 Acer Aspire, I own, came with Vista and loaded with Acer bloat-ware. It was so slow even with x2 RAM (maxed out)
An IT tech clean installed WinXP and the Acer took off.
I have 4 custom towers and two laptops, they work extremely well without bloatware.

I am still inclined to buy a new OEM Windows 7 x32 disc (I have access to a legal disc) and do a clean install.
I can then create a healthy recovery disc and any other maintenance backups very early in the life of the OS.
The cost of a new OEM Win-7 Disc is not an issue

Am I on a safe path?
Will MS register the new OS?
.