Solved Planning to go back to Windows 7 from 10. Need advice.

[OfficialAlexM]

I apologize in advance if there are already a billion threads about this, I just need to make a post now because this is frustrating.

Some specs before we start:
PC: HP Pavilion Power 580-199ng
CPU: i7-8700 4.3 ghz
GPU: GTX 1060 6GB
RAM: 2x 8GB DDR4
MOBO: HP Tampa2 8437 Z370
STORAGE: 476 GB SanDisk SD8SB8U-512G-1006 // 931GB Western Digital WDC WD10JPLX-00MBPT0
OS: Win 10 LTSC 2019 x64
DISPLAY: 1080p144 main monitor + 1080p60 secondary

I've recently bought a 144hz monitor to use alongside my old 60hz one. Of course, I was oblivious to the fact that Windows 10 has forced v-sync in its DWM - meaning that if anything GPU-accelerated goes on on my secondary 60hz monitor, it locks my main monitor to 60hz as well. A way to bypass that was by running games on my main in exclusive fullscreen mode, but that isn't efficient for me. Setting my monitor to 120hz only resolved the stutters, not the Hz locking issue.

I did a bit of research and apparently going back to Windows 7 and not using Aero is the only way to fix this. That was a perfect, although inconvenient, fix for me since 10 has been getting on my nerves and Aero is not a necessity for me as I like to use the classic theme to emulate 98, however it was an inconvenience due to the fact that I have to reinstall everything.

Now apparently, my CPU and motherboard aren't compatible with Windows 7. This is where I need you guys' help.

How should I proceed with installing Windows 7 on this PC? What are the drivers I need to install or any third party utilities I need to use after installing it? I would really appreciate some detailed help from you guys since this has been driving me crazy, and Windows 10 deleting my desktop icons after every update is just putting salt on the wound.

I know 7's support runs out in Jan. 2020 but I don't care since I have a MBAM premium license and know how to protect myself. Only problem is the drivers, hardware compatibility and the possibility that NVIDIA will stop supporting Windows 7.

Although, security tips would be nice.

However, my workflow consists of using the internet, and visiting YouTube, Reddit, using Steam, and several game forums. Turning off the internet for this machine is not an option.

So, to finish up, a list to every compatible driver I need for network, USB ports, chipset etc. with links would be appreciated and some advice on how to set it all up.

 

[iko22]

Hi,

You can use wufuc to circumvent disabled win7 updates for newer hardware.
Release wufuc v1.0.0.191 . zeffy/wufuc . GitHub

But yes that is correct, with a z370 chipset, windows 7 support is very limited.

Just a suggestion, as an alternative.

It might take you less man-hours to save-up for a second 144Hz monitor, than getting your computer working on Windows 7. Then, if you had second 144Hz monitor, or even a 72 Hz monitor, you would not experience this issue with Windows 10.

 

[SIW2]

Works fine with win7. A pci usb3 card is needed for usb3 support on 370 mobos.

Windows 7 Image Updater - SkyLake\KabyLake\CoffeLake\Ryzen Threadripper - VideoHelp Forum

 

[OfficialAlexM]

Works fine with win7. A pci usb3 card is needed for usb3 support on 370 mobos.

Windows 7 Image Updater - SkyLake\KabyLake\CoffeLake\Ryzen Threadripper - VideoHelp Forum

ok.

 

[johnhoh]

Z390 USB3 will not work on win7 and you will need a pci-e card for usb support, however many people have gotten their Z370 USB3 ports working using the below link.

It turns out the Windows 10 version of Intel Chipset Driver (version 10.1.1.44 - 2017/08/30) and SATA drivers (version 15.8.1.1007 - 2017/09/27) will work on Win7 Z370 motherboards. But if you run the driver exe installer package you'll get an "unsupported hardware" message only because microsoft/intel want everyone to move to win10. So instead you download the zip version of those drivers, extract them from the zip archive, slipstream them into your win7 installation USB or DVD using asusezinstaller, then install win7 from there and you end up with sata, chipset, and usb3 driver support on your z370, whether asus or not. Post #1 in this link goes through exactly these steps in detail.

How to install Windows 7 on Coffee Lake PC (Z370 chipset MB - Asus Maximus X Hero) - Overclock.net - An Overclocking Community

 

[OfficialAlexM]

nevermind i don't want to do this anymore. just gonna remain with this 75hz/120hz setup that works fine for now or just get another 144hz with displayport and leave it at that.