I am on Windows 8, can I do a clean install of Windows 7, not 8, from the factory disk?

[Flora5]

I am on Windows 8, can I do a clean install of Windows 7, not 8, from the factory disk?

Also, I don't have a product key as I bought my computer new. Will this be a problem?

 

[DarkSable]

The factory disk of... windows 8? No, you can't install windows 7 with a windows 8 disk.

Also, your computer has the product key on a sticker somewhere on it; at least, it's supposed to.

 

[Flora5]

The factory disk of... windows 8? No, you can't install windows 7 with a windows 8 disk.

Also, your computer has the product key on a sticker somewhere on it; at least, it's supposed to.

Sorry, I didn't include enough info. My computer came with windows 7 installed, I put W8 on it and now I want to restore it back to W7 as my friend does not want to buy a computer with W8.

I'll have a search for a product key somewhere, but my PC is 3 years old and if it's on a separate sheet, I've probably lost it. I only have the manual.

Thank you

 

[ThomasJ93]

If you still have both the product key and the Windows 7 disc, there's no reason why it shouldn't be possible to install Windows 7.

 

[DarkSable]

When you put windows 8 on it, was it an upgrade? If so, programs that find serial keys might be able to find the old windows 7 key.

 

[dodger46]

If it's a laptop the Recovery Partition may be intact, post your Model for assistance or consult your manual. Perhap there's even a Recovery partition on a Desktop?

 

[Flora5]

When you put windows 8 on it, was it an upgrade? If so, programs that find serial keys might be able to find the old windows 7 key.

I was not an upgrade version. I used Belarc Advisor, but only my window 8 key shows up on that. Any other suggestions?

thanks

 

[Flora5]

Phew, the windows 7 product key is on the back of my Case

 

[DarkSable]

Thought it'd probably be around there somewhere. So you're good to go?

 

[Flora5]

Thought it'd probably be around there somewhere. So you're good to go?

Almost. I'm just waiting on a reply from the guys over at the storage forums about my harddrive configuration. I've got them in RAID 0 from factory and want to know will I lose that If I format the harddrive.

Other than that, I'm pretty much ready.

Thanks for the help

 

[DarkSable]

Raid 0 should be something that's setup through the BIOS, unless you're using some wonky software to do it.

 

[Flora5]

Raid 0 should be something that's setup through the BIOS, unless you're using some wonky software to do it.

Will I have to reconfigure it if I format my drives? Is it difficult to do?

 

[DarkSable]

1) Maybe, but probably not.

2) If you're doing it through the BIOS? Not at all.

 

[Flora5]

1) Maybe, but probably not.

2) If you're doing it through the BIOS? Not at all.

I've looked up a few videos on it an it seems easy.

Thanks again for all the help

 

[DarkSable]

Of course!