How do I proceed to Downgrade a Preinstalled system win 8 to win 7

I understand there might be a down grade option to go from the 8 that came with my desktop to an equivalent 7 version. I have already completed this task using one of my 3 family pack home premium licenses but I now think I didn't need to use that and I might get a better version if I do the offered downgrade (if there is one!).

Anyhow, I have a gateway cheapo (really, really cheap! 169 with a 6gb ram windows license 500gb hard drive I thought it was free!) desktop that came preinstalled with Win 8. I upgraded to 8.1 but could not get over what scheit 8 is and decided to go to seven. While I despise MS I find their products somewhat good; but this 8 thing is bad. Simple. Yeah, I know. There are a lot of folk who actually like 8. Not me.

So at least I recorded my 8 code. Does any one have any experience or knowledge about the options. I did some research to see if it has been done but none of my searches of this forum turned up any identical efforts. Someone tried to do a laptop but they were not clear on the downgrade path or source. Thanks.

thanks. That's pretty much what I discovered. But what I really want to know is what media do I use and can I use the win 8 license that came with my pc (ie does that become my win 7 license?). And where does the win7 media come from.

As I stated, I used a win 7 license for home premium I had laying around. But I want to know if my win 8 license can become a win 7 license or do I have to what I did.

By the way, I didn't back up my recovery image so I am going to have to get the gateway disks somehow if I want to pursue this. And after the hours and hours of updates just to get to the service pack I am not inclined to even go there. What a ROYAL PAIN IN THE ARSE!!!!!

z3braman said:

thanks. That's pretty much what I discovered. But what I really want to know is what media do I use and can I use the win 8 license that came with my pc (ie does that become my win 7 license?). And where does the win7 media come from.

As I stated, I used a win 7 license for home premium I had laying around. But I want to know if my win 8 license can become a win 7 license or do I have to what I did.

By the way, I didn't back up my recovery image so I am going to have to get the gateway disks somehow if I want to pursue this. And after the hours and hours of updates just to get to the service pack I am not inclined to even go there. What a ROYAL PAIN IN THE ARSE!!!!!

As have Windows 8 & not Windows 8 Pro, you will need to buy Windows 7 full retail version.

Only Windows 8 Professional version includes a free Upgrade to WIndows 7. So for any other version you'll need to use your own Win7 license.