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Hi,

I bought a laptop which was factory reset to Windows 7 (the original OS). The seller then installed a legal version of Windows 8 on top.

How do I go back to Windows 7 without losing the factory partition or a hidden factory image?

Thank you.

Giggity Goebbels
2012-12-08 10:07:26
You need the windows 7 dvd
Jim Chambers
2012-12-07 22:38:53
A service pack for 8 will come out in mid 2013 that may address some of your issues with OS. If a factory partition is present it will contain Windows 7, drivers and bloatware. Just run install followed by microsoft update.
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Nikhil Chandak
2012-12-07 15:45:14
check this by MUO !http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/its-not-easy-but-you-can-uninstall-windows-8-and-revert-to-your-old-os/
Douglas Mutay
2012-12-07 14:56:57
Is it really worth it to revert to Windows 7? Think twice...
dhanunjayarao chunduri
2012-12-07 13:13:02
Do a clean installation of windows 7 with an windows 7 cd. I f you don't Have download it from the below link.http://djsoftguru.blogspot.in/2012/09/windows-7-aio-54in1-x86.html
Adriel Tan
2012-12-07 12:57:47
When he installed Windows 8, he might have not wiped out the recovery partition. See if you can boot from the recovery partition and restore Windows 7. Do note that you will lose all you data, so backup before hand. Another way is to use the recovery disc that came with your machine, though it is not that common now. If you don't have a recovery partition or a disc, just call up the brand and they might send you one...
Âdil Farôôq
2012-12-07 11:03:14
You have to reinstall the windows 7.
Nicola De Ieso
2012-12-07 10:25:53
You need the windows 7 disc and you have to do a zero installation of windows 7
2012-12-07 09:31:30
There is no downgrade path except to reinstall from scratch, either thru' your Windows 7 reinstallation CD (OEM) or the Microsoft Windows 7 Retail CD.
ha14
2012-12-07 09:16:00
the recovery partition sometime is made during windows installation so when you use the recovery partition for factory recovery your windows will be automatically activated. Now you can install a new windows but probably the recovery partition will not be created or will remain the initial recovery image and perhaps will not work if you try factory recovery or you will end up with windows 8.
Alan Wade
2012-12-07 07:57:45
A lot of computers with recovery partitions have their own key combination to start the recovery. Either look in your user manual to find your dedicated key or post the make and model and we can try to help you locate it.
Ramón García
2012-12-07 07:18:40
Buy a Windows 7 license and install it from scratch
FIDELIS
2012-12-07 06:47:58
Hello, most times the license that came with laptop is good only for that laptop and the operating system installed in recovery partition. For example, if you were to get an installation disc of windows 7 and try to use the license on bottom of laptop it would not work. You would need a different license for the new operating system. Another thing is that if by any chance the recovery partition is intact after installing windows 8(doubtful), you would not need to know your license key, you would only have to access recovery partition at startup and restore system from there.
josemon maliakal
2012-12-07 06:10:31
reinstall windows 7 will be the only choice ..hope you have the original license
Lisa Santika Onggrid
2012-12-07 05:57:59
You need to reinstall it from scratch, because it's downgrading. Do you have the original install disc? If not, I suggest you to keep your Win8.
Junil Maharjan
2012-12-07 04:37:42
you have to reinstall windows 7. But to suggest you i would say you should stay with windows 8 for stability and security.
Sashi Peiris
2012-12-07 04:22:15
You need the original computer install disc, If you don't have it you need to buy windows 7.