Today you can find quite a few users who at one time installed the eighth version of Windows instead of the popular "seven", which Windows 8 does not suit for any reason. They begin to wonder how to install Windows 7 instead of Windows 8, believing that there will be no problems with the transition. Alas, not everything is so simple here.
How to install Windows 7 instead of Windows 8: main problems
Unfortunately, problems begin to appear already at the very first stages of an attempt to replace the existing G8 with a lower version (in our case, Windows 7). They are connected, first of all, with the fact that these systems have different types of boot areas.
In Windows 7, the boot record is the MBR, and in the G8, the GPT. In addition, you should consider the new BIOS versions related to the UEFI class. It would seem that the most logical solution arises: just format the disk partition on which you want to install the "seven", and that's it. But here, not everything is as cloudless as it might seem at first glance.
Without changing the boot record standard, formatting will not be possible. In a sense, this situation can be compared to attempts to change the file system, such as NTFS to FAT32. As you know, FAT32 is not installed on top of NTFS in the standard way. But if here, when formatting, you can return to an outdated system, then in the case of boot records this will not work. And speaking of the fact that you can restore Windows 8 to Windows 7 is also not necessary, because the files of the old system are automatically deleted when a fresh version is installed (this feature appeared only in the "top ten", and then provided that the installation data of the previous OS were not deleted from the hard drive). Therefore, just in case, it is better to pre-record the image of the system ("eight") and all the data stored on disks or in logical partitions, but more on that later.
Setting boot modes in the BIOS
However, not everything is so bad. Indeed, you can install Windows 7 instead of 8, but pre-use some specific settings so that in the process of replacing the "OS" does not appear any failure.
To get started, go to the BIOS settings at the very beginning of loading a computer terminal or laptop. Usually, Del, F2, F12 keys and so on are used for such purposes (it all depends on the model of the computer and laptop, as well as on the manufacturer and version of the BIOS).
Now we need to go to the Security menu (sometimes Boot) and disable Secure Boot mode (set the parameter to Disable). By the way, it is this mode that is responsible for verifying the bootloader certificate.
Further, the preliminary configuration of the Windows installation cannot do without entering the Advanced section, where you need to find the System Configuration line, and then set the Boot Mode boot mode parameter to CSM Boot or CMS OS instead of the initial UEFI OS (UEFI Boot) parameter . As already clear, this is directly related to the new BIOS versions.
Do not forget to set either a flash drive or a CD / DVD-ROM as a priority boot device. Save the changes (by pressing F10).
Starting to install Windows 7
Now a few words about the beginning of the installation of the "seven". Firstly, if the installation is from a USB flash drive, it must be inserted into the USB port before the computer terminal starts loading. Secondly, you need to use only USB 2.0 connectors. This is due only to the fact that the "seven" does not support working with the USB 3.0 interface.
We boot from the distribution media, select the initial language parameters, currency and time formats, as well as the language layout, and then activate the installation start process by pressing the appropriate button.
In the window that appears, from the section of the installation type, select the full installation. Now the most important difficulties begin.
Problems with hard drive partitions
So, we continue to consider the problem of how to install Windows 7 instead of Windows 8. At the next stage, the installer will offer to select the partition in which our "OS" will be installed. Their number will be greater than in the standard form (such was the specifics of the boot record of the "eight").
In this case, we use the disk settings line and without fail delete all partitions. If this is not done, the installer will simply not work further. You can also use the command line, called through a combination of Shift + F10, where you need to enter the following commands in sequence:
diskpart
sel dis 0
clean
convert mbr
exit
exit
Now you can set the disk partition or install Windows 7 in the unallocated area (as you prefer). In principle, if you install the system in an unallocated area, the conversion to MBR will happen automatically (that is, additional commands for conversion will not be required).
The basic installation process
After all the above procedures (if they are performed correctly and in full), the standard “seven” setting is activated. Here you should pay attention to the fact that all information previously found on the hard drive or in the virtual partition will be destroyed.
Depending on the configuration of the computer or laptop, the period from the full installation to the first start may take a different time. Nevertheless, the process itself, as practice shows, will end successfully, and no errors should arise.
Finish installation and check partitions
At the end of the installation, the user receives a “clean” system. Typically, the configuration of Windows at this stage in terms of configuring the main components is automatic.
While we are interested in checking the system for changing boot parameters. To do this, use the standard computer control menu, right-click on the section of interest to us and select the property bar. In the new window there is a tab “Volume”, where the type of master boot record (MBR) will be presented in the main information.
Driver installation
There should be no problems with the drivers either, because almost any Windows 7 driver-file is automatically installed for most devices during system installation and initial configuration.
In extreme cases, for an unsupported hardware you can always use a special driver disk that is supplied when you buy a computer unit or laptop. At worst, you can go to the official website of the manufacturer of non-standard equipment and find there a suitable driver for the latest version, designed specifically for Windows 7. You can download it either from another computer connected to the Internet, or after establishing a connection and setting basic parameters on your own terminal.
You can identify broken or malfunctioning devices, as usual, in the “Device Manager”, where they are marked in yellow.
Using System Update
It goes without saying that, most likely, a completely clean system will be installed without any updates or additional service packs.
By default, in the "seven", as well as in all other systems, the Windows update has activated automatic mode. Thus, as soon as the computer terminal or laptop is connected to the Internet, the search for available updates and their installation will be performed immediately.
If for some reason this did not happen, you just need to go to the Windows Update service and search for them manually, then confirm the integration into the system, again, when the Windows update is installed automatically without user intervention.
System Restore to Windows 8
As for how to restore Windows to the G8 that was present earlier, you will need to use a pre-created copy of the system as an image, and if necessary, first reinstall Windows 8, and then transfer it from the same image file to the installed system all the necessary data.
Such an image can initially be created using standard G8 tools. This, for example, can be a backup and recovery tool, an additional utility like Recovery Media Creator. I don’t like my own Windows-programs, there are no problems - you can use the universal utility Acronis True Image.
Yes, and more. If the “seven” is installed incorrectly, reinstalling Windows 8 can also lead to the fact that, so to speak, the “eight” password of Windows 7 will block even if you disable the boot options in the BIOS or even purchase a new licensed version of the “eight” (the key will simply have nowhere enter, and the system will write that it does not match any image). So be careful.
Conclusion
Here, in fact, the main points regarding how to install Windows 7 instead of Windows 8 are considered. Although it’s a complicated business, nevertheless, if you show maximum attention and be patient, you can perform such a transition without any problems, the main thing is to complete all the preliminary actions so that there are no problems later.
It remains to add that now the answer to the question of which system can be described as “the best Windows” is difficult to voice, since each user has his own views and preferences. Some are so used to the "seven" that they do not want to change it to new OS. Others are trying to keep track of new developments and are already moving to the "top ten." This is how anyone likes it.