Low cost win7 - win8 sucks!

CarvedDuck · 17 Aug 2013

Hi Guys,

I have had it with win8 and can't wait for 8.1. Not being able to boot into Safe Mode is useless.

Msoft's moronic answer to Safe-Mode is to set it up from within win8. DUH! If the damn thing won't boot, how do I that? The Shift+F8 thing works one time in 50 if I am lucky.

I am going back to win7, so does anyone have a favorite place that discounts win7? I do NOT want pirated or dubious copies, it has to be genuine and able to be activated by msoft.

Newegg and Amazon are still showing full retail. I guess it is supply and demand as I am not the only one going back to win7.

And, no, I can't go to Linux as much as I would like to. I have to stay with windows applications.

Unless of course someone knows of a windows emulator for Linux. That would be Nirvana to me.

Thanks.

Yard Dog · 17 Aug 2013

Hello Duck.. you could try this tutorial : Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

Ztruker · 17 Aug 2013

Have you tried this, worked for me: Safe Mode - Add to Windows Boot Manager in Windows 8

You could also create a bootable Windows 7 DVD or flash drive (what I use) then boot and take the Repair path. You end up with pretty much the same choices as Safe Mode in Windows 7.

You can download a legal copy with SP1 integrated from here:

Windows 7 Direct Download Links

Make sure you get the same version you have, Home Premium, Pro or Ultimate and 32 or 64 bit. Note that Basic or Starter is not available.

I recommend using ImgBurn at 4X speed (or the slowest available) to create the DVD from the downloaded .iso file.

You can do this on any computer capable of burning a DVD.

YOU MUST HAVE A VALID KEY TO INSTALL THIS .ISO. The one on the COA sticker on your computer will work.

You can also create a bootable USB Flash drive (4GB or larger) to install Windows 7 from.

Download and run Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3
Select Windows 7 from the first drop down list, all the way to the bottom
Select the downloaded Windows 7 iso file
Select your USB flash drive
Click Create

For techies or folks who work on computers: Create Windows 7 Universal ISO With All Editions Selection On Install with ei.cfg Removal Utility.
This will fit on a 6GB flash drive or can be burned to a DVD.

SIW2 · 17 Aug 2013

Seventy quid for Home Premium oem

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium w/SP1 - 1 PC - OEM - DVD - 64-bit - English (GFC-02050) - dabs.com

CarvedDuck · 21 Aug 2013

Thanks to all who replied.

I found that win8 doesn't really shut down with the normal shut-down options. You need a secret handshake and your cap turned sideways and standing on one leg.

Click - Charms -> Settings -> Power and then hold down the Shift key and click "Shut down." Only then does it REALLY shut down. Once in the REAL shut down state is was easy to get to the BIOS at the restart. Then change to the Legacy Boot. From there I was able to boot a USB-mounted repair system. {sigh} Only microsoft !!

gregrocker · 21 Aug 2013

If you have any old copy of retail XP or Vista then you qualify for Upgrade version even if the qualifier isn't installed. Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

As mentioned you also get a similar price break for OEM version which is intended for system builders, so build your own system with one of those.

Did you buy a PC with WIn8?

Did you previously have a copy of Win7? Is it retail?

andrew129260 · 26 Aug 2013

CarvedDuck said:

And, no, I can't go to Linux as much as I would like to. I have to stay with windows applications.

Unless of course someone knows of a windows emulator for Linux. That would be Nirvana to me.

You could always use wine or linix play to run windows apps in linux

redfang337 · 26 Aug 2013

andrew129260 said:

CarvedDuck said:

And, no, I can't go to Linux as much as I would like to. I have to stay with windows applications.

Unless of course someone knows of a windows emulator for Linux. That would be Nirvana to me.

You could always use wine or linix play to run windows apps in linux

The best way to do this is reinstall windows and dual boot Linux mint with it, so you get the best of both worlds