Is it possible to install Windows 7 on a Windows 8 computer?

[StrykerChaos]

Hello I recently purchased a Samsung NP780Z5E, it comes with Windows 8 installed and I believe the product key is embedded in the bios because there is no sticker on the laptop with a product key. With that said I would like to install Window 7 on the same hard drive Windows 8 is currently installed. I would also like the ability to dual boot into either OS, is this possible. I have followed many guides and my computer fails with the following error:
Windows cannot be installed to the disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style.

Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu.

I am using a 16Gb flash drive that I have used previously to install a variety of operating systems so I'm confident the flash dive its self works fine. The Windows 7 iso is from Microsoft. I also used the Microsoft Windows 7 usb tool and had no luck. Then I tried the command prompt and a few other automatic usb prepping and install tools with the same result Windows can not be installed to this drive...

Is there anything I can do to solve this? I thought about reformatting the hdd and doing a clean install of the Windows 7 OS and then the Windows 8 OS, however I read several post stating that the same error occurs. My other problem is I don't have a Windows 8 installation disc or iso. I do have a image of the hdd, I don't think I can use that to install the OS though.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes it can be done if you can get into the BIOS to disable Secure Boot as described in Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7.

What I would do is shrink Win8 in Disk Mgmt to create a partition to test install Win7 in a Dual Boot for a side by side comparison to decide which you want, or both.

Win7 will require special steps to be installed in UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums.

If you do delete Win8 and want to reinstall it the Factory OEM key is indeed stored in BIOS and will activate itself.

 

[theog]

   Note

When dual booting with Windows 8 Preinstalled & Windows 7

Follow Step one to five in this tutorial:
Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

   Warning

If you shrink C: before deleting the OEM Recovery partition, the C: & the new partition may be converted to Dynamic partitions.
You DO NOT WHAT Dynamic partitions.

Than follow this tutorial: (installing in uEFI mode.)
Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista

For Ref:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html


If Using a USB Pendrive on a PC with a uEFI BIOS.
USB Pendrive need to be formated to FAT32 as in
UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.

 

[StrykerChaos]

 

[StrykerChaos]

This is the current boot settings I set before trying to install windows 7. I am going to read through and try to use the steps provided in the tutorial and see where it gets me.

 

[StrykerChaos]

As I read these tutorial I find they are always installing windows 8 from vista or 7. I already have windows 8 installed. I also have already shrunk the 1TB hard drive into two partitions both of them are around 450GB. Should I delete the newly created partition and do this a different way?

 

[StrykerChaos]

I think I know the problem when I follow the steps in this guide: UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows and I boot the computer the flash drive shows up however the UEFI is never in flash drive name. what would cause this to happen? I used the Rufus app to create the flash drive. Do I need to find another windows 7 image? The image I currently have is windows 7 x64 bit service pak1 and I also tried using my student copy of windows 7 it is also x64bit. Both ended with the same result neither has the UEFI in the name.

 

[theog]

Are you doing step 11?

If Using a USB Pendrive on a PC with a uEFI BIOS.
USB Pendrive need to be formated to FAT32 as in
UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you attach images which you refer to in your post above as they are not showing. Look at your posts, one is empty.

Have you disabled Secure Boot?

Follow the exact steps given to create the flash stick installer, not use Rufus.

Then follow the extra steps necessary for UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

 

[StrykerChaos]

I am going to try it again now because one version of windows 7 is actually x86 and I believe I tried to do step 11 on the 32bit version.

 

[gregrocker]

x86 = 32 bit

As you probably know you need 64 bit for UEFI.

 

[theog]

Also have you set UEFI/BIOS firmware to suit Windows 7?

By doing steps 1 to 5 here:
SAMSUNG's Digital World - Support
Screenshots in the above link.

1) Enter the BIOS by pressing the F2 key while your system is booting up.

2) Move to the boot menu using the right arrow key.

3) Select 'Secure Boot' and then select 'DISABLED'

4) Select 'OS Mode Selection' and change it to 'UEFI OS'

5) Save the changed settings by pressing the F10 key and then restart the system.

 

[StrykerChaos]

Okay here goes noting. Boy I say oh boy I hope it works.

 

[StrykerChaos]

Okay I followed step 11 again and I ended up with the same result. the flash drive shows up as a windows 7 installation device and no dice, the UEFI doesn't show up.

 

[StrykerChaos]

Yes I disabled the secure boot. I tried to post a picture of my bios and each option but they are not displaying.

 

[gregrocker]

When you turned off Secure Boot in BIOS, did you also enable Legacy BIOS or CSM? Check now.

Will Win8 boot? if so then it's still UEFI and the flash stick isn't config'd correctly. Did you move the file required? I had some problems with that step about a month ago which is discussed here: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...-flash-drive-create-windows-4.html#post217264

 

[StrykerChaos]

Well I am going to try one more time and change the bios because I had the boot set to both UEFI and GSM and it says it needs to be GSM. So before I go and try to install windows 7 what is the proper way to create the hard drive? should I shrink the drive "I already did this" and do you have any other advice as far as getting the UEFI to show up.

 

[StrykerChaos]

PS C:\Windows\System32> confirm-SecureBootUEFI
confirm-SecureBootUEFI : Unable to set proper privileges. Access was denied.
At line:1 char:1
+ confirm-SecureBootUEFI
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : PermissionDenied: (Microsoft.Secur...BootUefiCommand:ConfirmSecureBootUefiCommand) [Conf
irm-SecureBootUEFI], UnauthorizedAccessException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : SetPrivilegeFailed,Microsoft.SecureBoot.Commands.ConfirmSecureBootUefiCommand


Now I am getting this error when I try the other method

 

[StrykerChaos]

PS C:\Windows\System32> confirm-SecureBootUEFI
confirm-SecureBootUEFI : Unable to set proper privileges. Access was denied.
At line:1 char:1
+ confirm-SecureBootUEFI
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : PermissionDenied: (Microsoft.Secur...BootUefiCommand:ConfirmSecureBootUefiCommand) [Conf
irm-SecureBootUEFI], UnauthorizedAccessException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : SetPrivilegeFailed,Microsoft.SecureBoot.Commands.ConfirmSecureBootUefiCommand

Now I m getting this error.

 

[gregrocker]

I believe you only need to disable Secure Boot, but leave Legacy Mode or CSM as they were which should be disabled or CSM in Dual Mode.

You'd only enable Legacy Mode or fully enable CSM to install in normal BIOS mode without UEFI. But you then wouldn't be able to boot Win8 without reinstalling it also in Legacy Mode without UEFI.

That's why I asked you if you can still boot into Win8, because it should be set correctly if so - as long as you confirm you have disabled Secure Boot.