Trying to install Windows 7 on Acer Aspire A315-23 to no avail

[TOWF]

So I have EndeavourOS and Windows 10 dualbooted, and I want to downgrade Windows 10 to 7. (Don't worry, I got post-install stuff that makes Windows 7 usable in 2025.) I flashed a Windows 7 ISO to a flash drive, and also added patches that add USB 3.0 and NVMe support. My computer doesn't support booting off the USB flash drive, so I started the setup from Windows 10. After going through the setup process, Windows 7 began installing smoothly, up until the first reboot. After the first reboot, it stayed on the "Starting Windows" for ~2 minutes before restarting abruptly. After the second reboot, it began playing the animation before restarting abruptly again. After the third reboot, it did the same thing as the first reboot. After the fourth reboot, it booted back into Windows 10 and displayed an error message saying "This version of Windows could not be installed." Does anybody have solutions for this problem? Thanks.

(FYI, my device was manufactured in 2021.)

 

[michael diemer]

When attempting to boot from the USB, did you check under the "Hard Drives" option? The USB drive may be listed there.

 

[SIW2]

edit: found a similar machine except disable secure boot for win7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIL1WSjbHIs

 

[TOWF]

edit: found a similar machine except disable secure boot for win7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIL1WSjbHIs

I didn't really find the video to be useful. The title is in English but the guy speaks in Russian, or maybe he's speaking English and I can't understand the words he's saying. And also, I have those settings already set on my Acer.

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When attempting to boot from the USB, did you check under the "Hard Drives" option? The USB drive may be listed there.

On what?

 

[michael diemer]

When you hit whatever key gets you to your computer's boot menu, and choose from the list of options. Sometimes USBs are listed under Hard Drives.

 

[siliconbeaver]

you may try Windows 8.1 install first.

If Windows 8.1 install no problem, then install its AMD Ryzen 3 3250u windows 7 driver or SDI method, if successful, Windows 7 install is likely to go through. (just needs a right way)

my Dell 7070 failed to pass above test. on Windows 8.1, whatever I tried, couldn't get its graphics driver installed. all failed except basic display adapter. hence my sentence is no way to install Windows 7 on my Dell 7070 as Windows 8.1 install failure.


I did search. no successful story of Install windows 7 on acer aspire a315 23 by now.

 

[TOWF]

When you hit whatever key gets you to your computer's boot menu, and choose from the list of options. Sometimes USBs are listed under Hard Drives.

OK then. No, USB drive isn't listed.

- - - Updated - - -

you may try Windows 8.1 install first.

If Windows 8.1 install no problem, then install its AMD Ryzen 3 3250u windows 7 driver or SDI method, if successful, Windows 7 install is likely to go through. (just needs a right way)

my Dell 7070 failed to pass above test. on Windows 8.1, whatever I tried, couldn't get its graphics driver installed. all failed except basic display adapter. hence my sentence is no way to install Windows 7 on my Dell 7070 as Windows 8.1 install failure.


I did search. no successful story of Install windows 7 on acer aspire a315 23 by now.

View attachment 424745

Well, I successfully installed 8.1, but I searched up "AMD Ryzen 3 3250u windows 7 driver" and the driver was only for 11 and 10. I tried VxKex but it's only compatible with Windows 7. Maybe I can mod VxKex to support Windows 8.x?

 

[michael diemer]

You could try a different USB, but leave it as is, don't enhance it in any way.

 

[siliconbeaver]

then try SDI method. under basic display adapter, run SDI to search the graphics driver.

either sdi origin
Snappy Driver Installer Origin

or the other one

Snappy Driver Installer

SIW2's post
https://www.sevenforums.com/graphic...nt-find-drivers-intel-uhd-g1.html#post3533264



If you cannot get the install working on Windows 8.1, then likely no go to install on Windows7.

Well, I successfully installed 8.1, but I searched up "AMD Ryzen 3 3250u windows 7 driver" and the driver was only for 11 and 10. I tried VxKex but it's only compatible with Windows 7. Maybe I can mod VxKex to support Windows 8.x?

 

[TOWF]

then try SDI method. under basic display adapter, run SDI to search the graphics driver.

either sdi origin
Snappy Driver Installer Origin

or the other one

Snappy Driver Installer

SIW2's post
https://www.sevenforums.com/graphic...nt-find-drivers-intel-uhd-g1.html#post3533264



If you cannot get the install working on Windows 8.1, then likely no go to install on Windows7.

That wouldn't really work either considering you have to be on the internet for most drivers to install. I don't have a network driver either.

 

[torchwood]

but you can use your w10 install to download it/them to a usb!!!

 

[SIW2]

the sdi FULL is also available which includes the driverpacks . It is 44gb :shock:

 

[Bree]

...After going through the setup process, Windows 7 began installing smoothly, up until the first reboot. After the first reboot, it stayed on the "Starting Windows" for ~2 minutes before restarting abruptly.

The Acer Aspire A315-23 is UEFI only. This may help....

To install Windows 7 on hardware with UEFI Class 3 systems, lacking legacy BIOS support, "UefiSeven" offers a crucial workaround. This EFI loader emulates the necessary Int10h interrupts, allowing Windows 7 to boot where it otherwise couldn't.

GitHub - wortkraecker/Windows-7-on-modern-hardware: Here I'll list all available tools, tweaks and infos on how to install Windows 7 on modern/unsupported hardware.

 

[TOWF]

The Acer Aspire A315-23 is UEFI only. This may help....

GitHub - wortkraecker/Windows-7-on-modern-hardware: Here I'll list all available tools, tweaks and infos on how to install Windows 7 on modern/unsupported hardware.

This should work, but sadly, I don't have the drivers for NVMe or USB 3.0. I've tried flashing an ISO with the drivers included and using Gigabyte's USB Installation tool all to no avail. I also tried downloading the driver file outright and putting it on the drive but Win7 still wouldn't recognize them. Is there a certain location I should put them? Is there another method?

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but you can use your w10 install to download it/them to a usb!!!

I replaced it with 8.1, I don't have it anymore.

 

[siliconbeaver]

per the specs, Acer Aspire A315-23 has an NIC Realtek RTL8111H



you should use the NIC to get internet access. Just install its W7 driver (Realtek RTL8111H is 2015 technology. easy to obtain its W7 driver. my link above).

next, follow the previous procedure, run SDI to install all drivers. when done, save the drivers.
then plan your Windows 7 clean-install with the drivers obtained by running SDI.