Clean O/S install from external SSD

[charlee]

I just bought a new PC that has Windows 10 on it. I want to downgrade to Windows 7 from my external SSD. How do I make it bootable for this? Or, if there's another way, suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Was this ssd with win-7 on it coming from another computer ?
If so did it come preinstalled on this other machine using another manufactures oem activation key ?

If so it is locked to the original machine and can't be moved to another machine you'd have to buy another oem/ system builders to legally use it again

If it was a retail win-7 on the ssd you could move it to another machine
Just clean install it afterwards just copy and paste your personal files from the ssd to the new install

You can use Chrome to get a new iso file for win-7 if you don't have the dvd anymore
Download Windows 7 and 8.1 ISO Images from Microsoft - gHacks Tech News

 

[charlee]

What I have on the external SSD are the files from the original DVD I purchased of Windows 7. I have the product key. The PC does not have an internal DVD drive. I tried using the DVD from an external DVD player and it got so far loading the OS then it stops saying it can't find the files it was already using. That's why I formatted my external and copied the contents of the DVD to it. I can't seem to get anything to work. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi
Use the ghacks link to download a new iso and put it on a flash drive

Then use option 2 here
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html#option2

 

[AddRAM]

Did you download the iso file you needed ?

If not, what do you need I`ll post the link.

 

[charlee]

I followed the directions TrashZone provided me. I went to Microsoft Tech Bench with Firefox and hit the Ctrl-Shift-K to open the console. I then went to Pastebin and copied the code there. Then I pasted it into the console at Microsoft Tech Bench. I then tried to select edition version and all that is listed is Windows 10. I want Windows 7 Pro. I have the dvd for Windows 7 Pro. Can I make that into an ISO image? Or is there an easier way to download Windows 7 Pro ISO? Thank you all for your help.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
The instruction were for Chrome not Firefox users

 

[jhonnycss]

What Windows do you want ?

You can download Windows 7 Ultimate 32 or 64 bit from Download Windows 7 Free Full Version
The ISO is already bootable but remember to change those settings in BIOS regarding booting from usb man. I hope you have an activation code also.

 

[wasnotwas]

What Windows do you want ?

You can download Windows 7 Ultimate 32 or 64 bit from Download Windows 7 Free Full Version
The ISO is already bootable but remember to change those settings in BIOS regarding booting from usb man. I hope you have an activation code also.

I've found it's not a good idea to change the boot order to USB first - when windows restarts during the install process, it often boots from the USB again and starts over with the install. If you're quick, you can pull the usb at the 1st restart, but it's a lot easier to leave the BIOS boot order 'as is' and just select the USB from the one-time boot menu when the machine is powered up initially.

Also saves having to put the BIOS back to normal after the install.

 

[jhonnycss]

What Windows do you want ?

You can download Windows 7 Ultimate 32 or 64 bit from Download Windows 7 Free Full Version
The ISO is already bootable but remember to change those settings in BIOS regarding booting from usb man. I hope you have an activation code also.

I've found it's not a good idea to change the boot order to USB first - when windows restarts during the install process, it often boots from the USB again and starts over with the install. If you're quick, you can pull the usb at the 1st restart, but it's a lot easier to leave the BIOS boot order 'as is' and just select the USB from the one-time boot menu when the machine is powered up initially.

Also saves having to put the BIOS back to normal after the install.

I do that sometimes, but my problem is that i'm stubborn and i always go with my old method.
I think he also should go with Legacy Mode.

 

[AddRAM]

I just bought a new PC that has Windows 10 on it. I want to downgrade to Windows 7 from my external SSD. How do I make it bootable for this? Or, if there's another way, suggestions would be appreciated!

Why are you even trying to do this, just install 7 on your PC if you don`t want 10, if you have the iso file now, just use rufus to put it on a 4 GB flash drive and install 7 that way.

You can not just copy windows files to a ssd and have it work. As per what you said in a later post.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Also, you do not change any boot order in the bios, you use the one time boot menu to choose the stick one time and that`s it.

If you still need to download a windows 7 iso file, let us know what version you need. I don`t see it mentioned anywhere.

 

[charlee]

I have an .iso image of Windows 7 now. But, I tried to use Rufus to make the drive bootable and it did not give me any dropdown choices or the ability to type in the info needed. The directions for all this was written for Chrome and Firefox according to the article. I used Firefox because that's what I already have. Any other software programs that can help me make the external ssd bootable?

 

[AddRAM]

There`s no drop down in Rufus,You do not type any info into Rufus, there`s no need to, you just choose the iso file then let rufus do it`s thing.

Click where I have indicated and browse to your iso file. Then just click start.

 

[AddRAM]

I seriously doubt a new Windows 10 computer will even let you install Windows 7, unless you really know what you`re doing.

You should be removing the windows 10 drive, installing your other ssd, and installing Windows 7 on that.

"I want to downgrade to Windows 7 from my external SSD"

You can not do this.