Is it possible to go back from Win 10 to 7

[sverngard]

I recently bought a laptop with Win 10 but after some time I came to a conclusion that it is not suitable for me which made me wonder if it is possible for me to go back to Win 7 without splashing out loads of money.

 

[Barman58]

The basic answer is maybe...

You will need ...

a licensed copy of Windows 7 (scarce but still available at a premium price)
A full set of Windows 7 Drivers for the hardware of the Laptop ( possible if the manufacture supplied or is still supplying the exact model with windows 7 loaded)

 

[RolandJS]

Barman's reference to licensed Windows copy can be either: Microsoft retail or OEM Windows. For example, Altex Electronics in Austin has 25+- OEM copies of Windows 7, and I think they can still order a MS retail copy.

 

[Megahertz07]

- Some new laptops aren't compatible with Win 7. They are only compatible with Win 10 and Linux.
First thing to check is if you're able to disable secure boot on BIOS. If you can't, you won't be able to install Win 7.

- Win 7 doesn't have some drivers for new MB. You have to load them.

Give us your laptop brand and model so we can find if it's compatible with win7.

 

[Taplice]

Whenever you upgrade Windows 10 or initiate a fresh installation from within Windows, a copy of your old installation is stored in the Windows.old folder. This automatic backup is your return ticket to your previous Windows version.

 

[AddRAM]

He never mentions upgrading from 7 to 10, he says he "Bought a laptop with Windows 10", but he has a somewhat confusing thread title.

sverngard, could you please clarify.

 

[Layback Bear]

I recently bought a laptop with Win 10 but after some time I came to a conclusion that it is not suitable for me which made me wonder if it is possible for me to go back to Win 7 without splashing out loads of money.

First off you can't go back to something you never had.

What laptop did you buy? I have read that some new laptop are not able to run Windows 7. Bios and driver problems if I remember correctly.

If your laptop is able to run Windows 7 then you will have to buy Windows 7 and install it.

Jack

 

[AddRAM]

First off you can't go back to something you never had.

That is exactly what I was thinking, but didn`t want to say it.

 

[RolandJS]

First off you can't go back to something you never had.
That is exactly what I was thinking, but didn't want to say it.
-- I think the author did not mean that in a strictly hardware/software sense, I think the author meant in a historical sense, i.e., thread-starter wants to go back to using Windows 7 as he has done on other computers. Of course, for the present laptop, he must buy either a MS retail or OEM Windows 7 to go "Back to The Future".

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm unable to know what a poster thinks or what they meant.
I can only go by what is posted. It's my short coming and I will just have to bear the burden.

Jack

 

[redoak]

It was my impression that computers purchased with Windows 10 installed had 'downgrade rights' to Windows 7. In fact, i read several articles to that effect back in October as the no-more-Win7 date was drawing near. It might entail a phone call to MS, but I think it's doable...

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

It was my impression that computers purchased with Windows 10 installed had 'downgrade rights' to Windows 7. In fact, i read several articles to that effect back in October as the no-more-Win7 date was drawing near. It might entail a phone call to MS, but I think it's doable...

(Emphasis mine)

Unfortunately, that -- generally speaking -- is not correct.
There were (and perhaps may still be) a certain number of OEM Enterprise systems with certain types of licensing for which this was the case.
For new Win10 Consumer computers, I'm not sure it was ever a possibility. If it was at one time, AFAIK that is long, long past.
(Moreover, sale of new, OEM Win7 computers officially ended in October 2016.)

As was already pointed out, licensing is just one piece of the puzzle.
Hardware and drivers would be the other limiting factor.

Understanding downgrade rights

Bummer,

MM

 

[redoak]

Hi:


(Emphasis mine)

Unfortunately, that -- generally speaking -- is not correct.
There were (and perhaps may still be) a certain number of OEM Enterprise systems with certain types of licensing for which this was the case.
For new Win10 Consumer computers, I'm not sure it was ever a possibility. If it was at one time, AFAIK that is long, long past.
(Moreover, sale of new, OEM Win7 computers officially ended in October 2016.)

As was already pointed out, licensing is just one piece of the puzzle.
Hardware and drivers would be the other limiting factor.

Understanding downgrade rights

Bummer,

MM

Yes, I know that sales of new computers with Win7 officially ended on October 31, 2016, as I mentioned in my post. As that date approached, articles appeared in places like Neowin and suchlike claiming that there were downgrade rights to Win7, though you might have to call MS. Enterprise versions were not specified, but I suppose that would make sense. Bummer indeed.

Although this does not help the OP who has already purchased his computer, you can still buy Win7 computers from sellers with leftover stock. PC Connection has lots of them, e.g. But hurry! Offer good only while supplies last!

 

[RolandJS]

I'm unable to know what a poster thinks or what they meant. I can only go by what is posted. It's my short coming and I will just have to bear the burden. Jack

Good friend, you are so often very correct in your posts, you very seldom miss the bulls-eye! In fact, you might be correct in your earlier statement We can only guess...

 

[Barman58]

The downgrade rights from Windows 10 to windows 7 were for specific business markets only. This type of deal is quite common in the business market where OS changes are phased in over time as departmental needs are assessed.

There were some special deals made for downgrade rights to Windows 7 for normal consumer OEM copies but from Windows 8, not windows 10.

The confusion with windows 10, comes, I believe, from the rollback options for any suitable OS upgraded to Windows 10 for 30 Days after Upgrade.

 

[redoak]

From an article on ZDNet by Ed Bott in late October:

"In addition, the fact that large OEMs will no longer be able to install older Windows versions on new PCs for sale through retail and commercial channels doesn't mean you're out of options. Here's a partial list of exceptions that will allow businesses and consumers to continue running their old, preferred Windows version:

• Existing inventory PCs that were built with older Windows versions before the deadline can still be sold. For months, at least, you'll be able to find those PCs on retail store shelves and in distributors' warehouses.
• Downgrade rights Any new PC you buy that has Windows 10 Pro preinstalled by the manufacturer comes with downgrade rights to Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 7 Professional, for as long as Microsoft provides support for those earlier versions. You must supply your own installation media, and you have to activate manually."

This is just one of several articles I came across back in October. No one at the time refuted them, so I took it to be true.