Can I install Windows 7 on a machine currently running 20H2?

I currently am running Windows 10 Home; Version 20H2; OS Build 19042, 1052 on my HP laptop.

I want to be able to run Windows 7 or Windows 10 on this HP laptop.

In one of the tutorials here (circa. 2016), a poster stated:

"You will need to install Windows 7 over Windows 10 then install Windows 10. You will need to backup Windows 10 otherwise it will not be activated. Reason being is because older versions of Windows will not recognize the boot files for the newer versions of Windows. If you do not install Windows 7 over Windows 10, then install Windows 10 on a partition you could render your PC unusable because the boot files will be messed up and nothing will read them. I learned this the hard way and it was a nightmare for me."

Is this guidance still applicable to adding Windows 7 to a machine currently running 20H2?

If it is:

1. Are there any workarounds?
2. Is it possible to create a Virtual Machine on the HP laptop and install Windows 7 there?

Thanks!

Joe

SIW2 said:

Depends on the machine.
What is the machine you want to dual boot - exact model name and number of the laptop?

Attached is an abridge Belarc Advisor Computer Profile.

Please let me know if it does not contain the answer to your question.

I have 4 USB ports... For such a detailed report, does it tell me what type they are?

Thanks!

Joe

HP 17t-by200 CTO Notebook PC (support site)

16 GB USB Recovery Kit

Just in case you mess things up and need one or the other.

SIW2 said:

Depends on the machine.

Some macines will need extra drivers added to win7, but are relatively straightforward for dual booting win7. In some cases it is just adding usb3 and maybe nvme support.

The nvme updates and usb3 drivers are my sig at the bottom of my posts. Also in my sig is dism++ which is useful for integrating them

Some machines also need graphics drivers if you are using intel gen7/8/9 on cpu graphics - or if you are using amd ryzen apu.

Graphics driver for intel 7th and 8th gen coffeelake processors HD630

Same drivers can work for intel whiskeylake UHD620

graphics for intel 9th gen UHD 630

Win-x-Ryzen-APU-Video-driver

Some very new machines have no csm support - which makes installing win7 difficult ( though not impossible). In which case using a vm is easier.

What is the machine you want to dual boot - exact model name and number of the laptop?

Update your Win 7 installation media

I want to make sure I am grouping information properly.

1. Am I correct to understand that all of your comments before "What is the machine you want to dual boot - exact model name and number of the laptop?" are specific to setting up a Win7 and Win10 dual boot?
2. Do any of your comments also apply to installing Win7 on a VM on my HP laptop?
3. Does your advice "Update your Win 7 installation media" apply to both the dual boot and VM routes?
4. It seems the VM is the path of least resistance, but are there any reasons why I should not go with the VM route?

Thanks!

Joe

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samuria said:

A virtuel pc is best and free you dont have to mess with boot files and paritions duel boot can get messed up with win 10 updates

Any suggestion on where I can find the best tutorial on setting up a VM on my laptop (specs attached above)?

Thanks!

Joe

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SIW2 said:

I dont know if the win7 graphics drivers for 9th gen will work for that, maybe.

described here as Codename Kaby Lake-U/Y

HP HP Laptop 17t-by200
- Geekbench Browser

needs the nvme updates and usb3 stack

Might also need the RST_x64_17.9.6.1019 which are the most recent working for win7

The mobo might not have csm support, which is tricky. Hard to tell from the product bumpf from hp.

Unlikely any touchpad will work, unless there is bios setting called touchpad basic or similar.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06148960.pdf

.

Which of your comments above apply to:

1. The dual boot route,
2. The VM route, or
3. Both?

Thanks!

Joe

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flavallee said:

HP 17t-by200 CTO Notebook PC (support site)

16 GB USB Recovery Kit

Just in case you mess things up and need one or the other.

Thanks!

Joe

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SIW2 said:

@flavallee

Not sure why that would be needed.

Easiest to make a backup image.

It could also be available as a free download with the hp cloud recovery tool

Thanks!

Joe