Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7 Pro Downgrade

If you wish to downgrade, there seems to be no point to set up Windows 8 and activate it. Just format the machine and install Windows 7.

Now:  Windows 7 is end of life in about 6 months (yes, it will get upgrades). But my Windows 8.1 machine looks like and feels like Windows except it is crisper (display) and faster overall. It does everything Windows 7 does and does not cause problems. I do not use Metro.

So another option is just to stay with Windows 8.

I know this isn't what you asked, but,

FYI,

9 times out of 10, people's problem with Windows 8 is the funky Start Screen.   If you install ClassicShell, which is 100% free,  you can have the normal Windows Start Menu, like in Windows 7 and older Windows operating systems.

This ClassicShell takes 2 minutes to install.   After installing it, you forget you're even running Windows 8, It feels like Windows 7 from that point on.    

I've installed this for many clients and all are very happy with the change.

http://www.classicshell.net/

The best advice in the above two posts.  All that you need to know (an opinion only).

In most cases I agree that simply using Windows 8 with perhaps a shell "tweak" like Classic Shell or Start8 is better than downgrading to Windows 7.

But be sure all the programs you want to use will in fact run on '8 without requiring a lot of potentially expensive upgrades.    I've found several examples of programs that work fine on '7, and won't run on '8.    In addition, '8 doesn't include a DVD codec (easy to rectify, but nevertheless another thing to do);  'nor does it come with Media Center (many folks won't care about that -- but if you use it, you likely do).   Again, you can rectify this by buying the Media Pack, but it's another thing to do.

I've got one system on 8.1, but my main system is still running '7 and will likely remain that way for a long time.

I'm somewhat agnostic about which OS folks should buy with a new system ... unless, of course, they want a touch screen -- in which case '8 is a no-brainer choice.

The best advice is the above first two post, my two scents, stay with windows 8 you're going to do it anyways. I'm a skeptic and I honestly didn't like the interface, but once you get use to it, you will be glad you did.

 All programs that I use work very well with 8 and for media player VLC will do, some programs are native in windows so you  do not need to install it for example PDF reader is not a native app in windows,

also - be sure you have all the windows 7 drivers for the system

tailoreddigital I like Windows 8 and use it where I can but in this case I have an old program that I cannot get to print properly (have been trying for about 1 month) using HP postscript 64bit  drivers. I already use classic shell.

So then just reimage the computer with Windows 7. You cannot downgrade in place - that does not work. So you have to start again with Windows 7.

I have older virtual machines with my printer installed in these virtual machines, so another possibility until you replace the old program is to use a virtual machine for the old program.  But that is a lot of effort if the program and printer works in Windows 7.

I don't want to discourage help but can I please ask that you answer my question ONLY, some have and I am now reading what they wrote. I also understand that many people do not know the many options available to them like VMs but I do so thus allow me to say I don't require additional suggestions for other things to try--if you can help with my specific question great--otherwise please DO NOT make other suggestions--I have had other questions on EE to try to address the Win8 problem and yet another for the printing problem and after 2 months of trying so many different things I am forced into this solution--so if you can tell me exactly the best step by step way to downgrade to Windows 7 pro I would, be most grateful for the help--thank you

Here is the direct answer to your question:

Reimage the computer with Windows 7. You cannot downgrade in place - that does not work. So you have to start again with Windows 7.

FYI I already have a Windows 8 machine with a Win7 VM and printing from the VM works just fine--the issue there is that after 3 weeks the user still cannot wrap her mind around starting Win8 and then connecting to the VM so again I am forced into a Win7 boot machine and thus my question.

Understand completely -- as I noted earlier, there are still cases where simply running Windows 7 natively is the best solution ... and this seems to be one of them.

The specific answer to your question is simple:    You listed the correct steps, except you do NOT need to do Steps 1 and 2.    Just do Steps 3 & 4 and you'll be good to go.  [i.e. install '7 and then call Microsoft for activation => you'll need to have your Windows 8 Pro key available to confirm you're eligible for the downgrade]

Since Win8 does not come with an OEM sticker with the product key the problem is getting the product ket using some sort of util--I have tired produkey and it gives me a key but when calling MS they told me it is not a valid key so I called Dell and they said they can't help me MS must.

Try the article I posted - that will extract the Key for you.

Great. :-)

You can easily slipstream a Dell install disk to include the updates ... I use RT7Lite for this with Windows 7 [ http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/RT-Seven-Lite.shtml ], but there are other slipstreaming tools that work as well -- just use whatever you're familiar with.

thanks--I use nlite--will check this one out

nlite should work fine too, since they finally updated it last year for Windows 7 support.

I had to contact Dell and have them send me a Windows 7 install Media and that worked.