It's time for some straight talk on how to downgrade from Windows 8 back to 7. Here is how and why to do it and the snags you might hit.
For all the talk about the
advantages of Windows 8 over Windows 7for example, account sync, better multiple monitor support, and faster startup timessome 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.
