Solved Can I install W7 on a OEM W10 laptop?

[notis]

Hello people!
Because all the new laptops are with W10 but I prefer W7,
can I clean install (or downgrade?) W7 over OEM W10 and then activate it? (with the same lisence)
I have 2 OEM lisences for W7 from older dead laptops but I think I cannot use them
in the new hardware. So what is the best to do without to buy new lisence for W7?
Thanks for your time

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
First you should ask the computer manufacture if the machine is capable of installing win-7
Chances are good that you can't but you never know you show no information about this new laptop that I can see.

You can open the bios and poke around at the boot and security sections and see in every entry of uefi is there a uefi and legacy OPROM listing
Post images if you wish too most bios are very limited that come with win-10 preinstalled

If willing to test make sure in win-10 to turn off fast startup and be sure also to install on another hdd or ssd so the original one is not messed up in the process
Fast Startup - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

[alphanumeric]

You can install and activate the latest release or Windows 10 with a Windows 7 key. Assuming its a legitimate key not in use on another PC. However OEM Licenses are not transferable to another PC. You can't use the OEM keys from a dead laptop on another PC. Not legally anyway. It violates the EULA. If you want Windows 7 for your new hardware, your going to have to buy it. If you can actually find it for sale.

 

[notis]

Thanks for your quick reply.
I'll give more informations. .
All the new laptops in my country are W10.
I'm thinking to buy MSI Apache Ge72. Is not that I'm so much gamer but I like
to have i7 6700hq, gtx960, 128ssd and hdd 7200rpm and a good monitor.
The only problem is the os. And I thought that is stupid to buy an os when already I buy
a laptop with the newest windows 10. Have I to pay for downgrade?...
Like I understand yes!

 

[alphanumeric]

Some manufacturers will sell you a PC with downgrade rights, some will but not all, if you buy one with Windows 10 Pro. Even then, the downgrade is (I believe) only good for Windows 8.1. Windows 7 on the same PC is a different license. The license that comes with it is for Windows 10, via the embedded OEM key. That OEM key is no good for Windows 7. Thus Windows 7 requires a second separate license. That second license cost money. Thus they aren't just going to give it to you for nothing. The license is version specific, and not for Windows any version.

 

[alphanumeric]

One thing you can do, before you buy a specific laptop, is go to the downloads for that make and model and see if there are any Windows 7 downloads. Drivers specifically. For that to work though I think you'll have to find a model that has been around for a while. Anything really new won't have Windows 7 drivers. Most manufacturers, won't supply drivers for specific OS, if that device never left the factory with that OS installed on it. They don't go backwards an OS only forwards.

 

[AddRAM]

Just find a reputable online dealer to buy windows 7 oem , make sure they sell the dvd and the key, do not settle for a download, they will rip you off.

Always call on the phone and have them describe exactly what it is they are selling.

The packaging SHOULD come with a COA on or in the packaging and the dvd.

Example:

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems - Newegg.com

 

[notis]

Thanks all of you -ThrashZone-, -Alphanumeric-, -AddRam-
I "got" the "picture"... very valuable informations.
I'll mark my question as solved.
I'm really sad how the progress of Windows (versions) is going...
I was expecting as the hardware is getting better, faster and perfect
that The OS would follow with more possibilities, freedom, flexibility, but
with W8 and W10, I'm feeling the opposite..
Microsoft ofcourse thinks how much money can get from iphones and tablets..
but if they continue this way.. many people will jump to Linux.

 

[alphanumeric]

I don't feel constrained at all on Windows 10. I can still do everything I did on Windows 7. Plus now I can run a few Apps. Apps I actually find useful. YMMV of course, some don't like Windows 10, and that's fine, you can't please all of the people all of the time. Unfortunately, for the average consumer there are only so many choices. Apple, Windows, or maybe Linux, Android. If there was another new killer OS out there things might be different. There are a few things in Windows 10 I don't like but nothing that is a deal breaker for me. it's nothing I can't live with.

As AddRam stated, be very careful where you buy Windows 7 from. There are opportunists out there trying to cash in on its unavailability. If the offer is a key only, with no COA sticker, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

 

[notis]

I really thank you for driving me right to search and look about.
I was thinking that when a PC has the minimum requirements (e.g cpu 1gh, ram 2-4gb etc)
is able to run from XP to W10 all the versions out of the 32-64bit difference. But wrong!
I read that with the new skylake cpu is not possible to install W7 from a Usb or difficulties updating Nvidia drivers.
And if you install W7 then problems with touchpad and many others limitations
Intel Skylake Removes Support for USB based Windows 7 Installation - Major Platform Specs Confirmed
Alphanumeric, I'm sure your way is the right one and is true generally I get stuck (a little..) in the past.
It is true also that I know W10 about 20 hours looking in it. What makes me feeling cold?
First I couldn't personalize like I wanted (or like I used to..) colors of fonts, windows etc.. but maybe there are ways
to do it from registry. Second I feld more controlled from M$ Store, Accound and I could say many easy actions with W7 became more complicate but I'm sure I haven't spend enough time for solutions too..
So after all the above I believe I'll buy a new pc and stay with W10!... the only question why we need better PC when the OS needs less and less resources? Ok I know, for killing people in gaming...
Have a good time and thank you.

 

[alphanumeric]

There is no harm in giving Windows 10 a try. Especially if the PC comes with it already installed. You can still log in with a local account if you want. The Store and some Apps won't work, but if your never going to use them anyway no big deal. It does cripple the OS some, for me it would anyway as I use some apps. I also use the sync feature with my Microsoft ID. Look through the tutorials section and you may find ways to do a lot of what you want. Some things have been moved to Settings etc. Windows 10 does take some getting used to, especially if you have never used Windows 8 or 8.1. The current Windows 10 install media from the Media Creation Tool will read and use OEM embedded keys. You could clean install if you wanted to, to ditch all the factory installed bloat. First thing I would do is create your recovery media. Then what ever happens, you have the option to put it back to factory condition. If say you need to have it serviced or return it. Once you get it, then go hunting for Windows 7 drivers if you think you may go down that road. For me it would be a step backwards but that doesn't mean its not the right move for somebody else. The first hurdle is going to be buying a Windows 7 license if you chose to go that route. The second hurdle may be getting all you hardware working. Hard to say at this point. I hop it all works out for you which ever way you go.

 

[alphanumeric]

Forgot to post this link in my above post, It's a link to the Windows 10 tutorials section of the Windows 10 sister site.
Windows 10 Tutorials
I go by the same username there, and on Eight Forums. Lots of people there to help you if you decide to give 10 a try. Many members here are also members there like I am.

 

[notis]

Thanks, thanks for all your suggestions and informations.
I'll follow a clean install of W10 and give a try for a month.
Number "10" is also a great hopeful number... but
why they jump the "9"? which is a "holy" SuperNumber?
The smell of money makes them "mistakable" and stressing out for success...
(..anyway I love M$... because they are micro and soft..)
I'd not be so "difficult" if I didn't know that I'm not going to buy another PC the next 5 years..
but maybe I make 'troubles' for nothing important..
..See you soon in W10 forum...