Downgrading from Windows 8 to 7: What you need to know

[nsane.forums]

For all the talk about the advantages of Windows 8 over Windows 7—for example, account sync, better multiple monitor support, and faster startup times—some people just can't get past Windows 8's radical shift in user interface. Some may even want to ditch Windows 8 altogether in favor of Windows 7 after spending a few days with the new OS.

In a Monday blog post, usability expert Jakob Nielsen of the Nielsen Norman Group explained in excruciating detail exactly why and how Windows 8 is difficult to use. It was a damning report that might have many questioning whether to take the Windows 8 plunge. The good news is you can buy a PC loaded with Windows 8 Pro, try out the new OS, and then downgrade to Windows 7. Unfortunately, however, the road back to Windows 7 can be confusing and full of twists.

Hewlett-Packard is typical: It does not support downgrades of consumer-grade Windows 8 PCs to Windows 7. But if you buy a machine loaded with Windows 8 Pro, you can make the jump. HP's policy is based on Microsoft's licensing terms, which support downgrade rights only to new PCs preloaded with Windows 8 Pro, the version of Windows designed for business.

Unfortunately, machines loaded with Windows 8 Pro will demand a pricing premium over similarly spec'd Windows 8 systems. We ran a quick comparison survey of machines from HP, Dell, and Toshiba, and found that an upgrade to the Pro version of Windows 8 increased system prices anywhere between $35 and $100.

And even when the price delta is small enough to justify buying a Windows 8 Pro machine (complete with downgrade rights!), the downgrade process can still be difficult to figure out. When PCWorld researched this, sales and support reps for both Microsoft and major PC manufacturers told us two different stories.

A Dell representative said that to downgrade from Windows 8, you needed to buy a new, unused copy of Windows 7—thus making the whole point of having downgrade rights pointless. Another representative said a Windows 7 disc image would be built into new Windows 8 Pro machines. This contradicts pretty much everything Microsoft has ever posted online about downgrade rights.

But after scouring Microsoft's online support pages, checking out real-world downgrade experiences on various forums, and then confirming the process with Microsoft's press team, we can now share the truth about how downgrades work for anyone with a PC running Windows 8 Pro.

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[shorty6100]

I STILL don't get what all the fuss is about. There is a learning curve, but it did not take THAT long to figure it out. However, one point is clear: Microsoft should have made a desktop version of Windows 8. If they did, there would be much less angst toward the latest OS. I'm currently dual booting Win7/8 and still using 8 most of the time.

[Paft]

Yeah, are most of these just computer illiterate? First thing I did was look how to disable the new interface and get the Start Menu back. The only reason I went back to 7 is because a game wouldn't run. I was happy on 8 otherwise.

It is however ridiculous that MS have forced the touch ui instead on being an option.

[dcs18]

some people just can't get past Windows 8's radical shift in user interface.

Yeah - especially the Noobs!!! :yes:

[Snowdrop]

There are actually a lot of problems with Win8. Mainly being that it needs way more clicks to do things that I previously needed when using the previous versions of Windows. Multi-tasking (windowed) inconsistencies with Win8 apps. Lack of customization -- due to the Win98 menu being removed (no seriously, I can't see the letters and icons on the menu bar)... etc, etc...

That said... the (other) new features in Win8 are enough to keep me still using Win8. Though I still have Ubuntu on dual boot in case!

Food for thought. Why couldn't MS merge the desktop and Win8 apps in a Rainmeter kind of way? I've been using these 'tiles' since Vista.

[dcs18]

Food for thought. Why couldn't MS merge the desktop and Win8 apps in a Rainmeter kind of way? I've been using these 'tiles' since Vista.

Never depend on any Developer (least of all Microsoft) to build any application (especially an OS) fully suited to the end-User. I love the skill and resourcefulness it takes to customize an OS like Windows - those skills and resourcefulness pay for the health and welfare of my family. ;)

[psyko666]

There is nothing wrong with windows 8, it is a decent improvement in performace over win7 and alot of really nice features that make things simpler. no i do not work for Microsoft. sure the start menu us gone, but in place of it is a nice start screen with live tiles. i had the typical learning period where i was a bit confused as to how to get around. but now i would much rather windows 8 over windows 7 :)

[ASIO]

a pc running windows 8 can run windows 7 smoothly :P :P common sense :hypocrite:

[Eternal X]

Consumers that come from Windows 7 believe that emulating touch gestures with a mouse is utterly ridiculous and not worth the upgrade... if they cannot get used to it that is respectable but to make their life easier it is highly advised to purchase an all in one PC that is touch enabled to make things more simple.