How to Uninstall Windows 8, Install Windows 7 on Your PC

• How to Uninstall Windows 8, Install Windows 7 on Your PC


• Drivers, Backup, What You Need


• Disable UEFI and Enable Legacy Boot


• Commence Installing Windows 7

If you're fed up with the Windows 8 operating system that came on your new laptop, and just want to switch back to Windows 7, I've got good news, and bad news. The good news is that it is possible. You can remove Windows 8, install Windows 7, and go about your life as if Windows 8 never happened. The bad news is that it's a complicated endeavor.

In addition to the expected BIOS wrangling, drive formatting, and reinstalling device drivers, Microsoft has actually added extra layers of complexity. The BIOS has the added obstacle of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). Drives are partitioned and protected so that it's difficult to reclaim all of the space on your hard drive. And finally, manufacturers are spotty at best when it comes to offering Windows 7 drivers and rarely support users in making the switch. The result is a snarled Gordian Knot of complications, but there's not necessarily a sword available to simplify the issue. This guide, however, should help you navigate the many twists and turns.

If you don't want to remove Windows 8 completely but still want to have your familiar Windows 7 experience, want to avoid compatibility issues with programs and games, or need a feature that's gone missing in the new OS, there are other options. Your best bet is actually running Windows 7 on a virtual machine—and we can suggest several.

If you're ready to embark on the journey back to Windows 7—it feels wrong to simply call it a downgrade—then gather your supplies, muster your courage, and let's dive in.

A Few Words of Warning

Microsoft does offer downgrade rights, complete with support services and a clear downgrade path to Windows 7, but only for systems with Windows 8 Pro. If you've just got plain old Windows 8—and most mainstream systems do—you're on your own. Switching between the two operating systems is still very doable, but you'll be doing it without Microsoft's blessing.

Related to this, you may also run into trouble getting support from your manufacturer, as most do not provide legacy support for Windows 7 on systems that were factory-shipped with Windows 8. This extends to drivers. You'll need to do your homework as to what your devices are, what drivers they require, and whether or not there are Windows 7 drivers available. Unfortunately, this will vary from model to model, and even from one configuration to the next.

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Brian Westover is an Analyst for the Hardware Team, reviewing laptops, desktops, and storage devices.

As a child, Brian was frequently asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" His answer alternated between Superman and Batman. This was cute when he was five, but worrisome at seventeen. Naturally, he is now a journalist, writing about technology and gadgets.

Brian has been writing professionally since 2007, and his work has appeared in business newsletters, websites, textbooks, and magazines. He earned his degree in Communications from Brigham Young University - Idaho. When not writing or fighting villainy, Brian enjoys sampling the culinary delights of New York, perusing obscure trivia, . More »

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