New laptop Windows 8-how can I change back?

Emuchops

Hi I'm due to get a new, (budget) laptop (HP 255 G3) which will be loaded with Windows 8 which I have used before & don't really like. I have 2 questions:
1. Can I change it back to Windows 7 and if so, how?
2. Am I right in thinking that Windows 10 is out soon? Is it worth hanging on and seeing what that's like?

Many thanks, Dawn.

HappyMJ

I'd switch to windows 10 when it comes out.

I do have Windows 8.1 and although the start screen is quite rubbish you can make it work in desktop mode almost exclusively which is virtually the same as Windows 7 except for that start button which you'll get used to quite quickly.

You need to have the right laptop to downgrade to Windows 7. Some of the hardware may not have Windows 7 drivers. The machine will no longer be supported by the manufacturer for software faults. Hardware failure will be supported but trying to get software for you to run a non supported operating system is not.

JJ_Egan

Windows 10 is about to rollout the free update .
http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/windows-10-faq?ocid=win10_auxapp_LearnMore_win10faq

As said win 7 drivers for your new hardware may not exist .
Plus you would need to buy a copy circa £70 .

Win 8 users qualify for free update to win 10 .


As said warranty / SOGA may be at best difficult at worst invalid .

gjchester

Emuchops wrote: »

Hi I'm due to get a new, (budget) laptop (HP 255 G3) which will be loaded with Windows 8 which I have used before & don't really like. I have 2 questions:
1. Can I change it back to Windows 7 and if so, how?

What version of Windows 8 is it?

If its Pro you can downgrade to W7 as the W8Pro license allows a downgrade. If its Just Windows 8 then you would need to buy a licence for Windows 7.

The 255 *was* available with Windows 7 so drives should not be an issue, and you may also be able to buy a version with Windows 7 already installed if you look around, especially in "business" sections of sites/stores rather than the "home" area.

Fightsback

If it were mine I'd wipe it and download the W8.1 iso from Microsoft and use that. However this requires more technical competence than you possess.

Avoid Windows 10 for at least six months until they sort out the invariable major bugs that will appear in that time.

dannyrst

Fightsback wrote: »

If it were mine I'd wipe it and download the W8.1 iso from Microsoft and use that. However this requires more technical competence than you possess.

Avoid Windows 10 for at least six months until they sort out the invariable major bugs that will appear in that time.

Judging by the OP's questions alone, I'm guessing he doesn't know much about computing and therefore uses his laptop for word documents, internet browsing, maybe some music and games?

I am fairly confident there won't be a bug in Windows 10 that stops the OP doing any of the above and if there was, it would be sorted in a couple of days.

System

Well the only 'major bug' that I am currently aware of/experienced, having been running the tech previews since they started and currently on the RTM is that if you use your MS account to log on and decide to use a PIN instead of a password then you can not access network shares.

Fightsback

dannyrst wrote: »

Judging by the OP's questions alone, I'm guessing he doesn't know much about computing and therefore uses his laptop for word documents, internet browsing, maybe some music and games?

I am fairly confident there won't be a bug in Windows 10 that stops the OP doing any of the above and if there was, it would be sorted in a couple of days.

Sorry to pop your fanboy balloon but I know plenty, that's why I use Linux instead

PS good luck stopping those forced updates.

grumpycrab

HappyMJ wrote: »

I'd switch to windows 10 when it comes out.

+1 Its the easy option. Don't see a problem getting it early either.

macman

Installing Classic Shell will make W8 look like W7, or any earlier version you prefer. Instant conventional Start button, hey presto!

dannyrst

Fightsback wrote: »

Sorry to pop your fanboy balloon but I know plenty, that's why I use Linux instead

PS good luck stopping those forced updates.

Why not try to be helpful and post a list of these bugs you're aware of?