want to go back to 7/8

[jdkr]

Have Windows 10, pc issues, trying to go back to windows 7, to see if its just a compatability issue, has Windows 8 on pc body, has windows 7 in control panel, whatever. Has been a few months since upgraded to Windows 10, along came the problems along with it. Thought it would be very easy to do, with the recovery disk I have, to reinstall Window previous, but appears nothing is as easy as it should be. It worked with a new Hard drive. Tried to reset, restore, factory settings, boot from recovery Dvd, its amazing, nothing works. Anyone have a simple way to do? Thanks for any help.

[Bastet]

Do you have the windows 7 or 8 installation media? You’ll have to clean install Windows to return to an older version.
You would boot from the media & delete all partitions (if you have a data partition then keep this) then Windows will install.

[jdkr]

Im not sure, two days ago I would have sworn it was windows 8, since a sticker is on back of PC, no key, just the 8. But when I went to control panel, it had restore recovery windows 7, not roll back, as it has been about 5 months. I created the recovery disk when first got PC about 4 years ago, I didnt write Windows version on them. I used the disk when i replaced hard drive about a year ago, then updated to windows 10. When they made the book series “for dummies” they had me in mind. I tried to boot from the recovery disk in bios, but it just started up as usual. So a bit lost. Can I go thru the “back up and restore” [windows 7] in control panel, and let it guide me thru, deleting partitions etc…? I fear this PC is close to going out the back window…thanks for reply. Theres a bit of time difference, sorry for late reply.

[Bastet]

Win 7 backup is a deprecated feature & is for creating an image of Windows 10 not for returning to win 7.
If there’s no activation key then it had Windows 8 installed. When you reinstall Win 8 it should pick up that key in the BIOS.
Insert the disc, restart the pc & try rapidly pressing either F7 or F8 or F12 as soon as you see the manufacturer’s logo.

[jdkr]

It didn’t work, it just starts back up as normal. Just going to trash this POS, and get a new one, thanks for helping.

[Bastet]

That usually means either the USB installation media hasn’t been created correctly, the key clicked wasn’t correct, the key wasn’t clicked fast enough or the pc doesn’t have a temporary boot key.
You’re welcome. If you wish to continue troubleshooting then please post back.

[Rustys]

Are you using DVD or USB recovery media?

Thought it would be very easy to do, with the recovery disk I have, to reinstall Window previous

Can you access your BIOS and see what the boot order is?

Here is how to from with in Windows 10.

Boot Windows 10
Go into Settings
Windows and Security
Recovery
Under Advance Startup click Restart Now
Select Troubleshoot
Select Advanced Options
Select UEFI Firmware settings
Click Restart

[jdkr]

DVD, I’ll try that tonight, I was looking in those settings but wasn’t sure, i thought I had changed the boot order to DVD, but didn’t work, but haven’t changed uefi, but I will try. Thx

[Rustys]

not a problem there are several things that we can do.
Windows 10 and secure boot can he hindering at times. May even have to disable Fast Boot from with in the Poser setting in Windows which can cause you not to be able to access BIOS from the Logo Screen.

[jdkr]

That usually means either the USB installation media hasn’t been created correctly, the key clicked wasn’t correct, the key wasn’t clicked fast enough or the pc doesn’t have a temporary boot key.
You’re welcome. If you wish to continue troubleshooting then please post back.

I used to the recovery disk to install everything back on the new hard drive awhile back, no problems then. Someone mentioned to try uefi setting, I was looking at that b4 posting in forum, but was out of my comfort range. I’ll try everything over again, then try uefi change if still doesn’t work. I’ll give it another go tonight.

[jdkr]

DVD, I’ll try that tonight, I was looking in those settings but wasn’t sure, i thought I had changed the boot order to DVD, but didn’t work, but haven’t changed uefi, but I will try. Thx

didnt work, said it couldnt recognize DVD, but its same recovery disk i used to reinstall 8 when i replaced hard drive. i think its just a POS! I appreciate the help, think everything has been tried, except my favorite, throwing it against the wall, and thats acoming!

[Rustys]

This is up to you there are a few more things that could be done.

Turn off Secure Boot and turn on Legacy in the BIOS

Turn off Fast Boot in the Power setting in Windows

Then set the boot order in the BIOS.

You did make sure that the DVD drive is working in Windows correct by reading the disk?

[jdkr]

This is up to you there are a few more things that could be done.

Turn off Secure Boot and turn on Legacy in the BIOS

Turn off Fast Boot in the Power setting in Windows

Then set the boot order in the BIOS.

You did make sure that the DVD drive is working in Windows correct by reading the disk?

I saw the legacy setting, but didn’t know if it would have made a difference, or safe, so left it. It said it couldn’t detect disk, so it’s not reading it? I used these same disk when I changed hard drive. In short, I’m not sure wtf is happening with it, lol. It’s kinda of point me in a direction and I’ll try it. I will try the legacy setting and see what happens.

[jdkr]

That usually means either the USB installation media hasn’t been created correctly, the key clicked wasn’t correct, the key wasn’t clicked fast enough or the pc doesn’t have a temporary boot key.
You’re welcome. If you wish to continue troubleshooting then please post back.

I finally got it back to W8, but still some freezing, all the aggravation for nothing. Couldn’t update any of the old updates, error code, will try fixing that tonight, but not holding my breath that is the problem, but guess it could be … no problems b4 windows 10, so maybe there’s something missing on an old update? Any chance? Tell me there’s a chance…

[jdkr]

not a problem there are several things that we can do.
Windows 10 and secure boot can he hindering at times. May even have to disable Fast Boot from with in the Poser setting in Windows which can cause you not to be able to access BIOS from the Logo Screen.

I got it finally, but still freezing, have to fix an update error code, hoping an old 8 update is missing, but not holding breath. A few people helping here, I appreciate all of your help.