Windows 7 Going from 8 back to 7

Trouble

Noob Whisperer

Joined

Nov 30, 2009

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13,722

• Nov 6, 2014

• #2

Not sure what type of drivers you're looking for but I would check here
Link Removed
select your OS and see what they've got.

 

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jmille92

New Member

Joined

Aug 21, 2014

Messages

8

• Nov 6, 2014

• Thread Author
• #3

I tried there and i dont thin thats what i need. i think i need a ram or hard drive driver

 

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Trouble

Noob Whisperer

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Nov 30, 2009

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13,722

• Nov 6, 2014

• #4

What exactly are y0u attempting to do?
What state is your computer currently in?
What are you seeing that makes you think

jmille92 said:

i think i need a ram or hard drive driver

Click to expand...

 

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jmille92

New Member

Joined

Aug 21, 2014

Messages

8

• Nov 6, 2014

• Thread Author
• #5

I am trying to change from Win 8 to Win 7. I got as far as booting the computer from the Win 7 disk and it told me i need system drivers. I assume that means the RAM/hard drive so it can install Win 7 on the computer. I went back and booted from the normal OS (Win 8) for now because im trying to find the drivers.

 

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Trouble

Noob Whisperer

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Nov 30, 2009

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13,722

• Nov 6, 2014

• #6

If I can assume that your computer came pre-installed with Windows 7?
AND you haven't done anything too drastic since that time.....
You can always use the built in Recovery partition to put it back to its' factory state if that's a viable option for you.

Access HP Recovery Manager in either of the following ways:

1. Turn on or restart the computer, and then press esc while the “Press the ESC key for
Startup Menu” message is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Then press f11 while the F11 (System Recovery)” message is displayed on the screen.
2. Click System Recovery in the HP Recovery Manager window.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Click to expand...

SOURCE: Page 68 of your user guide.

 

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jmille92

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Aug 21, 2014

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8

• Nov 6, 2014

• Thread Author
• #7

It came with Win 8.1. I am trying to switch to Win 7.

 

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strollin

Honorable Member

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Jul 21, 2013

Messages

284

• Nov 6, 2014

• #8

Here's a link to the Win 7 64-bit drivers for that laptop on the HP website: Link Removed

To each their own but I don't see the value of going from 8 back to 7, there just isn't that much difference between the 2 OSes to make it worthwhile.

 

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Trouble

Noob Whisperer

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Nov 30, 2009

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13,722

• Nov 6, 2014

• #9

OK... not sure why, but I don't suppose that's any of my business.
My guess is that your installation media is too old and your system BIOS is too new (meaning like UEFI) and quite possibly you have a GPT hard drive.
To overcome these issues I would suggest grabbing the correct ISO for Windows 7 from here Link Removed
That matches your Windows 7 license / product key (version and bit architecture)
And then use Rufus from here http://rufus.akeo.ie/
set it up like this

And point it at your freshly downloaded ISO file and use that to create a bootable USB thumb drive. You'll need one with 4 gigs of size or larger.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2025

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Solution

TheBeast

Active Member

Joined

Nov 9, 2014

Messages

3

• Nov 9, 2014

• #10

I have also reformatted my Computer from Windows 8.1 to Windows 8. What you will also have to do is enable legacy boot in your computer bios if you have not done so yet.

 

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Pauli

Fantastic Member

Premium Supporter

Joined

Mar 1, 2012

Messages

2,486

• Nov 10, 2014

• #11

Downgrading is an issue with serious problems. The IT mentality is to go forward and upward. If you want to go the other way, I would suggest you clean your disk, and make a new installation of Windows 7.

 

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