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

[JMH]

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.

http://www.itworld.com/318654/downgrading-windows-8-7-what-you-need-know

 

[Cayden]

Why not dual boot instead of downgrade?

 

[Trouble]

For anyone who may be interested.... from the horse's mouth Understanding downgrade rights
A brief explanation of the rights and an example is given.
Regards
Randy

 

[AceInfinity]

I would just say to keep Windows 8. Compatibility is still not 100% there, but sooner or later compatibility will improve and Windows 8 will be able to do some of the things that you previously weren't able to do. That's the only thing I find wrong with Windows 8 at this point, but that's typical for any new OS so... :)

It won't run my Crestron tools yet, but the engineers at Crestron are working on it, so i'm keeping it. Crystal reports are soon to be made available for VS 2012 also, since compatibility with Windows 8 and VS 2010 is not fully there. (There is a KB package though that Microsoft released in order to fix compatibility issues apparently though, so that's what I've been using for now.) No noticeable issues as of yet.

I still wouldn't downgrade though...