New laptop, old OS....how to load?

[nithig]

I like Win 7 Pro .
All the new laptops come with Win10 which I don't want.
An ideal outcome for me when this machine dies would be to purchase a new laptop and install Win 7 Pro.

Can this be done?
Can Win 7 Pro be downloaded freely?
Is it straight-forward to install 7 over Win 10?

Really would love to hear from anyone who has done this but also from tech minded members who know
if it's possible and how to do it.

thanks & appreciation for yr imput!

 

[Barman58]

You may be able to purchase a copy of Windows 7 for installation on your system but I would recommend that you only consider laptops which have been supplied with Windows 7 installed in the past, and are still fully supported by both Microsoft and the manufacturer (this is to ensure that you can obtain the correct drivers for the hardware).

Here in the UK there are still some companies that are supplying Windows 7 Systems complete, but these will not be the latest hardware, although completely new and with warrantee

 

[nithig]

Hello Barman58, that's good news. I've only had from stores that they no longer stock Win 7. I don't mind older hardware although I would prefer solid state if possible (told it's faster and survives longer than disk drive). If you know any links to any of the companies you mentioned that's be great (although many companies in UK won't deliver to Ireland...but there must be a way around that.)
(good luck to the lads in red in the 6 nations!)

 

[Barman58]

Buy Cheap Laptops & Netbooks > Windows 7 at Morgan Computers is one I can remember but a quick Google for "UK win 7 laptop" or similar should provide some choices

Also with what you save on the hardware you could buy an SSD and swap it yourself, (most laptop HDD are easily changed,) some even allow two HDDs so you could add an SSD clone the OS to it and keep the HDD for data

 

[RolandJS]

Quoting the king in Planet 51 -- "There are always alternatives". One can buy legal Windows 7 Pro from Newegg and/or certain business computer retails places -- I have done so from Altex Electronics in Austin TX -- I hope there are similar stores where youse all live. Prices for either OEM or MS retail package will not be cheap.
And, then, end-user must seek out chip-set and device manufacturers for drivers made for Windows 7.