Solved Would formatting hard drive remove Windows 8 ,so I can reinstall 7

[Denbo]

Hi folks, I recently bought an Acer laptop which came with Windows 8 pre-installed, Although I really like the laptop itself ,I hate Windows 8 and want to revert back to Windows 7. I have a licenced version of Windows 7 on a disc , which I purchased from PC world, If I format my PCs hard drive ,would that totally remove Windows 8, and could I then download Windows 7 from my CD disc using the PCs disc drive to do so. Any advise would be very much appreciated ----thank you ---Denbo

 

[MilesAhead]

If you just delete the partitions on the drive, then boot the install DVD, the install program should offer to create a partition from the free space and format it, then install W7. As long as it's a licensed commercial copy of Windows you should be fine.

 

[theog]

1) Downgrade to Windows 7.
Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.


2) If Using a USB Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted 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.

 

[DavidE]

I was just going to post the same info as theog, but I'm too slow

One consideration I'll add:
Is your Windows 7 license OEM or Retail?
If your Win 7 license has already been installed and activated:
- An OEM license can not be transferred to a different PC.
- A Retail license can be transferred to a different PC.

Maybe there should be a note about this in the tutorial?

 

[Denbo]

Dear All who replied to my question, thanks for your help, And in reply to DavidWNCS ---my Windows 7 cd is retail version . once again thank you all ---very much appreciated ----Regards ----Denbo