Reformatting Laptop From Windows 8 to Windows 7?


  1. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 64bit
       #1

    Reformatting Laptop From Windows 8 to Windows 7?


    I gave my old broken laptop to a friend to fix up, it had a number of hardware problems and needed a reformat as well. Anyway he did his work and it's running fine, but he's put Windows 8 on it when it was a Windows 7 laptop. I'm finding some things don't respond as well as they should but i really just want my old 7 experience back. The question is, if i run my recovery discs (the ones that you create upon getting a new computer) will it recover it back to W7 or will i need to get a W7 disc and do a whole clean install.

    Here is my exact laptop showing all the specs: HP Pavilion dv3-2310ea Laptop PC (13.3-inch LED with Multi-Touch Technology, Windows 7 Home Premium, Intel Core i3 i3-350M Processor, 3 GB DDR3 RAM, 250 GB HDD, 802.11 b/g/n Networking, ATI Radeon HD 4550 Graphics): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessor

    Thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    Yes, they will put it back to Windows 7, but it`s best to do a clean install.

    Remember you will need your drivers, so use Windows 8 to get them before you start.

    At least get the network drivers.

    Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

    Clean Install Windows 7
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Ok thanks, i'v found m list of drivers here Software & Driver Downloads HP Pavilion dv3-2310ea Entertainment Notebook PC | HP® Support

    There are old and new versions, can i install the newest ones or do i need to start with the old ones and then upgrade once installed?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #4

    Always install the newest/latest drivers.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Might have a problem, the W7 product key label on the base of the laptop has worn away and is unreadable.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #6

    To do a clean install you need the key on the COA sticker, or buy a new Win 7 license.

    You should be able to use the Recovery discs you created to restore the laptop to "factory condition".
    Those discs should restore the system with a OEM pre-activated key.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    DavidW7ncus said:
    To do a clean install you need the key on the COA sticker, or buy a new Win 7 license.

    You should be able to use the Recovery discs you created to restore the laptop to "factory condition".
    Those discs should restore the system with a OEM pre-activated key.
    Will factory condition include all the drivers it came with too?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #8

    Yes
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #9
      My Computer


  10. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #10

    Ditto to the above. If you ended up sticking with the Windows 8 I'd find out where it came from.
      My Computer


 

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