I am an engineering student and I just recently picked up a new laptop that came with win8 preinstalled. This was a big mistake as my school offers some software that doesnt work on this OS. Id like to go back to windows 7 if possible but noticed I cant even get the student discount anymore on windows 7 from the microsoft site. Is there anywhere I can still get this version or can I downgrade my current windows 8 version?
For curiosity sake, what software doesn't work on Windows 8?
Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7
I would contact the PC's tech support to see if they already have any downgrade offers, which I'm expecting to occur based on consumer reaction to Win8 desktop experience.
If they instead bully you about not downgrading on your own then follow the standard advice for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to make your Recovery Disks and/or a backup image, not tell them that you have reinstalled. It cannot affect your hardware warranty under law, anyway.
Are you asking me? I thought the options you presented were sufficient, only adding that I'd check if the manufacturer has a "downgrade" option to Win7 yet. They should when they hear enough complaints, or PC sales slow as a result of a touchscreen OS being put on desktops. Dell already has a 7 option on their gaming rigs menu.
This is why I said to ask your OEM. They may have a growing demand for downgrade rights and have something to offer.
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