How to install Windows 7 instead of Windows 8: step-by-step instructions. Computer help

Today, you can find quite a lot of users who at one time installed the eighth version of Windows instead of the popular "seven", which Windows 8 for some reason does not suit. They are starting to wonder how to install Windows 7 instead of Windows 8, believing that there will be no problems with the reverse transition. Alas, not everything here is so simple.

How to install Windows 7 instead of Windows 8: the main problems

Unfortunately, the problems begin to appear already at the very first stages of trying to replace the existing "eight" 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 regions.

In Windows 7, the boot record is MBR, and in the "eight" - GPT. In addition, it is necessary to take into account also the new BIOS versions related to the UEFI class. It would seem that the most logical decision arises: simply format the disk partition on which you want to install the "seven", and it's the end. But even here everything is not so cloudless, as it may seem at first glance.

Without changing the standard of the boot record, the formatting will not be possible. In a sense, this situation can be compared with attempts to change the file system, for example NTFS to FAT32. As you know, the standard way FAT32 over NTFS is not installed. But if you can go back to the old system with formatting, then in the case of boot records this will not do anything. Yes, and to say that you can restore Windows 8 to Windows 7, too, do not have to, because the old system files when installing a fresh version are automatically removed (this feature appeared only in the "top ten", and then provided that the installation data of the previous OS From the hard drive were not removed). Therefore, just in case, it's better to pre-record the image of the system (the "eight") and all the data stored on disks or logical partitions, but more on this later.

Configuring 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 during the replacement of the "operating system" there is not any malfunction.

For a start, go to the BIOS settings at the very beginning of the computer terminal or laptop. Usually, Del, F2, F12, 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 the BIOS version).

Now we need to go into the Security menu (sometimes Boot) and disable the Secure Boot mode (set the parameter to Disable). By the way, this mode is responsible for checking the loader certificate.

Further, the preliminary setup of the Windows installation can not do without entering the Advanced section where you need to find the System Configuration line and then set the Boot Mode boot option to CSM Boot or CMS OS instead of the initial UEFI OS parameter (UEFI Boot) . As you already know, this is just directly related to the new BIOS versions.

Do not forget to set as a priority boot device either a flash drive or a CD / DVD-ROM. Save the changes (pressing F10).

Beginning of Windows 7 installation

Now a few words about the beginning of the process of installing the "seven". First, if the installation is done from a USB flash drive, it must be inserted into the USB port before the computer terminal starts downloading. Secondly, you only need to use USB 2.0 connectors. This is due only to the fact that the "seven" does not support working with the USB 3.0 interface.

Boot from the media with the distribution kit, select the initial language settings, currency and time formats, and the language layout, and then activate the process of starting the installation by clicking the appropriate button.

In the resulting window, from the installation type section, select the full installation. Now the most important difficulties begin.

Problems with hard disk partitions

So, we continue to consider the problem of how to install Windows 7 in place of Windows 8. At the next stage, the installer will offer to select the partition in which our "operating system" will be installed. Their number will be greater than in the standard form (this was the specific nature of the boot record of the "eight").

In this case, we use the disk configuration line and, without fail, delete all partitions. If this is not done, the installer will simply not work. You can also use the command line, called via the combination Shift + F10, where you need to enter the following commands in sequence:

Diskpart

Sel dis 0

Clean

Convert mbr

Exit

Exit

Now you can specify the partitioning of the disk or install Windows 7 in an unallocated area (to whom it is more convenient). In principle, if you install the system in an unallocated area, the conversion to MBR will happen automatically (that is, no additional commands will be required to convert it).

Basic installation process

After all the above procedures (if they are performed correctly and in full), the standard setting of the "seven" is activated. Here we should pay attention to the fact that all information previously found on the hard drive or in a virtual partition will be destroyed.

Depending on the configuration of the computer or laptop, the period from full installation to the first start may take a different time. Nevertheless, the process itself, as practice shows, will end well, and no errors should arise.

End of installation and testing of 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 the boot parameters. To do this, we use the standard computer management menu, right-click on the section we are interested in and select the property line. In the new window there is a tab "Volumes", where in the basic information the type of the master boot record (MBR) will be presented.

Installing drivers

There should not be any problems with the drivers, because virtually any Windows 7 driver file when installing the system and initial configuration is installed for most devices in automatic mode.

In extreme cases, for an unsupported "hardware", you can always use a special driver disk that comes with the purchase of a computer unit or laptop. At worst, you can refer to the official site of the manufacturer of non-standard equipment and find there the appropriate driver of the latest version, designed specifically for Windows 7. You can download it from another computer connected to the Internet, or after establishing a connection and setting the main parameters on your own terminal.

Identify non-functioning or incorrectly functioning devices, as usual, you can in the "Device Manager", where they are marked in yellow.

Using the System Update

It goes without saying that, in all likelihood, 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 an 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 carried out immediately.

If for any reason this does not happen, you just need to log in to the Windows Update service and set them to search in manual mode, and 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 previously present, you will need to use the previously created copy of the system as an image, and if necessary, first re-install Windows 8, then transfer it from the same hard disk image file to the installed system All the necessary data.

To create such an image is initially possible with the help of standard tools of the "eight". This, for example, can be an archiving and recovery tool, an additional utility such as Recovery Media Creator. Do not like your own Windows-programs, there are no problems - you can use the universal utility Acronis True Image.

Yes, and more. If the "Seven" is incorrectly installed, the re-installation of Windows 8 can lead to the fact that, so to speak, the "eight" password of Windows 7 will block even if you disable BIOS boot options or even purchase a new licensed version of the G8 (the key is simply nowhere to be Enter, and the system will write that it does not correspond to any image). So be careful.

Conclusion

Here, in fact, and considered the main points concerning how to install Windows 7 instead of Windows 8. Although the matter is complex, nevertheless, if you show maximum attention and have enough patience, you can perform such a transition without any problems, the main thing is to perform all the preliminary Actions, so that later there would be no problems.

It remains to add that now the answer to the question about which system can be described as "the best Windows" is difficult to voice, because each user has his own views and preferences. Some are so used to the "seven" that they do not want to change it to the new OS. Others are trying to follow the new developments and are already moving to the "top ten". It's like someone like it.