installing windows 7

Chris · November 1, 2015

@Chris

I don't need the acer anymore and want to get rid of it anyways. The plan was /is to deinstall Win 7 form the acer, deinstall Win 8/8.1 from HP and install Win 7 afterwards. Now I know what version it is I'm going to do this step by step.

I was thinking to copy the Win 8 form the HP on an extra USB just in case. Does that work and make sense?

You guys rock!!

You will want to install all your files on one. I wouldnt worry about copying over a win 8 install package

ember1205 · November 1, 2015

Some things to think about:

- The OEM key that came with each of your machines is for that specific manufacturer only. The installation will go fine until you put in the key to activate, and then it will fail. It will see that you are using a key from an Acer on an HP and it won't activate.

- Windows 8 was an abomination (IMHO) and I was glad to see MS put back much of the original "feel" when they updated to 8.1, but it still largely was 8 "at its core".

- Windows 10 has WAYYYYY too many snooping features for my liking, but many of them can be turned off. I do like that the look and feel of this OS is much closer to that of Windows 7. In fact, to me, it looks quite a bit like 7 until you hit the start button (then you see rumblings of 8).

- Windows 7 is "old" and was not developed for the newer machines. There's a reasonably good chance that at least one part of your new laptop will not have drivers to operate under Windows 7 (this sort of issue is especially true with HP).

What, EXACTLY, is it about Windows 7 versus 8 versus 8.1 versus 10 that has you preferring Windows 7 over anything newer? If it's look and feel stuff, you may be able to simply customize the shell to your liking.

BRay'sGirl · November 1, 2015

- The OEM key that came with each of your machines is for that specific manufacturer only. The installation will go fine until you put in the key to activate, and then it will fail. It will see that you are using a key from an Acer on an HP and it won't activate.

So I bought a license, but going to lose it by the time I don't need the laptop anymore...that sucks. I always thought that bying a (that specific) license (like ms office which I can put on any laptop, over and over again as long as I deinstall it upfront) would make me be the owner. Instead I paid for that license and acer keeps it?

- Windows 8 was an abomination (IMHO) and I was glad to see MS put back much of the original "feel" when they updated to 8.1, but it still largely was 8 "at its core".

- Windows 10 has WAYYYYY too many snooping features for my liking, but many of them can be turned off. I do like that the look and feel of this OS is much closer to that of Windows 7. In fact, to me, it looks quite a bit like 7 until you hit the start button (then you see rumblings of 8).

Win 8 was fine until the update to 8.1

Since then a lot has changed, on top Kaspersky isn't running the way it did before and the way it's supposed to. The money security part doesn't work at all and even asking Kaspersky didn't change a thing.

I don't get what Win 10 was made for. But there sure is a reason. All I know is too many people are not happy with Win 10.

What, EXACTLY, is it about Windows 7 versus 8 versus 8.1 versus 10 that has you preferring Windows 7 over anything newer? If it's look and feel stuff, you may be able to simply customize the shell to your liking.

I worked with Win 7 a lot and always felt comfortable, easy to handle. Period.

I'm not the type of person who wants or needs all the new stuff on the market. I am more like my Grandparents....even though I bought a few TV's in my life I think my Grandparents were fine with the one or two they had while living. I like the idea of hanging on to things. People tend to give up way too often -

It's not the looks, I actually like the Win 8 look, I got a cell phone with Win 8 and I am happy.

After the update which I didn't want things have changed and it looks like I cannot change them back to how they were.

I guess I have to figure out if I can use the key or not and if I have to buy a new version of Win 7 I will do so.

Thanks so far - Mel

BRay'sGirl · November 1, 2015

... since Win 8 is pre-installed I wonder if I could go back from the update to Win 8.1 to Win 8. Would that be easier? And how can I make sure that there won't be a new update to Win 8.1?

Win 8 was working fine as I said, and even though I like Win 7 better I could live with Win 8 as long as it runs good.

(should go back to the days of chalkboards)

patriot · November 1, 2015

Loads of "opinions" here.

Stick with the facts.

ember1205 · November 1, 2015

Windows 10 has a "tablet mode" (I think that's what it's called) that may give you back more of the look and feel that you seem to be missing from Windows 8.1 - maybe hit a box store and try monkeying around with some of the settings to see if if give you what you want in terms of Windows 8-esque ishness. Yes. Those are words.

I'm not sure what you mean by having paid for a license and will lose it. If the machine came with Windows 7 pre-installed, you only "sort of" paid for a license. A) It would have actually cost you MORE to get the machine with -no- operating system on it, and MS basically subsidized the OS on the machines by "locking" it to the particular manufacturer so that you COULDN'T move it to a machine if your choosing.

Can you elaborate on "money security" and what that means? As far as anti-virus in general, I use AVG on my Mac and Windows machines and have also run it on my Android devices when I had them. My Dad runs it on his Win8.1 machine, and I've also put it onto my FIL's WIndows 10 box. It runs well everywhere without an issue and does its job. And, did I mention that it's free?

My personal belief is that a very large part of Windows 10 being "free" is because MS is using it as a platform to A) gather up as much user-specific information as they can (Google does this with your searches and device usage, and it has given them a significant edge in creating products and content that are much more relevant than what MS has been doing) and B) push more MS-specific stuff at you (including the new Edge browser and all sorts of cloud services that are subscription-based). Much of the data collection stuff can be turned off, and the base OS can be made to look and act quite a bit like Windows 7. To me, I see it as Windows 7 with a different app bar and start button.

patriot · November 1, 2015

Windows 10 has a "tablet mode" (I think that's what it's called) that may give you back more of the look and feel that you seem to be missing from Windows 8.1 - maybe hit a box store and try monkeying around with some of the settings to see if if give you what you want in terms of Windows 8-esque ishness. Yes. Those are words.

I'm not sure what you mean by having paid for a license and will lose it. If the machine came with Windows 7 pre-installed, you only "sort of" paid for a license. A) It would have actually cost you MORE to get the machine with -no- operating system on it, and MS basically subsidized the OS on the machines by "locking" it to the particular manufacturer so that you COULDN'T move it to a machine if your choosing.

Can you elaborate on "money security" and what that means? As far as anti-virus in general, I use AVG on my Mac and Windows machines and have also run it on my Android devices when I had them. My Dad runs it on his Win8.1 machine, and I've also put it onto my FIL's WIndows 10 box. It runs well everywhere without an issue and does its job. And, did I mention that it's free?

My personal belief is that a very large part of Windows 10 being "free" is because MS is using it as a platform to A) gather up as much user-specific information as they can (Google does this with your searches and device usage, and it has given them a significant edge in creating products and content that are much more relevant than what MS has been doing) and B) push more MS-specific stuff at you (including the new Edge browser and all sorts of cloud services that are subscription-based). Much of the data collection stuff can be turned off, and the base OS can be made to look and act quite a bit like Windows 7. To me, I see it as Windows 7 with a different app bar and start button.

Good info except the license part. A license is ties to the OS not the machine. It can be used on ANY ONE MACHINE. If you want to move the license to another machine, you can do this, but the original machine MUST have the OS removed.

ember1205 · November 1, 2015

Good info except the license part. A license is ties to the OS not the machine. It can be used on ANY ONE MACHINE. If you want to move the license to another machine, you can do this, but the original machine MUST have the OS removed.

Wrong.

OEM License keys that are part of an original machine purchase are BIOS-locked to the manufacturer of the original machine While it may be possible to use the license on another machine from the same vendor, it absolutely will NOT work on a machine from a different vendor.

Additionally, OEM license keys explicitly state that the license is for use only on the original machine and can not be used on a different machine EVER.

When you purchase a FULL license as an individual item, then you are free to install it wherever you would like so long as there is only one instance of it installed at any given time.

ember1205 · November 1, 2015

https://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/transfer_oem_licenses.aspx#fbid=ijVp7vJBTqp

BRay'sGirl · November 1, 2015

.

Can you elaborate on "money security" and what that means? As far as anti-virus in general, I use AVG on my Mac and Windows machines and have also run it on my Android devices when I had them. My Dad runs it on his Win8.1 machine, and I've also put it onto my FIL's WIndows 10 box. It runs well everywhere without an issue and does its job. And, did I mention that it's free?

Well, I use Kaspersky internet security for some years now and it wasn't expensive - sometimes I don't care that much if something is free or not.

But if you're happy with your anti-virus program - Congrats!

Kaspersky got this feature (I'm sure money security isn't how it's called - sorry for that) which I like and used until this damn update happened.

It's good for online banking as you going to do the banking in a kind of extra safe mode. But as mentioned it's not working anymore.

Okay, back to the OS .... again the question is there a simple way of downgrading from Win 8.1 to Win 8?

After the update happened I was looking for a restore point (is that the right word?) but there's non.

Oh, and after the update a lot of programs were gone. I had to install MS office again, Skype, and some more. I don't know why that happened and I don't care, it just made me mad because I don't think that should have happened at all.

urrgh... so now what??

ember1205 · November 1, 2015

I've seen similar issues with all kinds of programs disappearing after the update - I never did get that solved.

I don't see a blanket "right answer" for you on this. There are a variety of ways that you could address your needs, but none of them is a straight-forward solution to what you're dealing with.

The one thing I could suggest would be to make a Restore Point of your machine right now, as it sits. Upgrade it to Windows 10, turn off all of the "call home" stuff that MS wants to have turned on by default, and try it out. See if it performs and works in a manner that's actually to your liking. I'll admit that I'm not necessarily a fan. But, I haven't come across any specific issues with it compared to Windows 7.

patriot · November 1, 2015

You CAN'T turn off ALL of the spyware on WIn 10.

It's embedded.

A non-OEM license can be moved as well. Just not an OEM one.

Of course, you're going to tell me I'm wrong. Doesn't mean a thing.

spout away

BRay'sGirl · November 2, 2015

Looking at the sticker on the acer it says OEM, so I guess I would have to buy Win 7.

Win 10 is no option. I'd rather find a way to downgrade to Win 8.

BRay'sGirl · November 2, 2015

...still reading about that stuff on the internet.

I looked up the information regarding OEM and my understanding is this:

The manufacturer MS gives acer the okay to sell Win 7 but only in connection with hardware. acer is not allowed to sell Win 7 separately.

The plus for MS is they don't have to support the customers, that's up to acer or the store you bought the hardware from.

The plus for the customer would be it's kinda cheaper. And acer can sell it cheaper because they don't have to give the customer installations-/ recovery cd's which saves them a lot of money. I didn't read that acer is the owner of the OS though. (maybe I'm blond)

There are many different opinions about the use of a OS that's been pre-installed. I read many posts saying as long as the pre-installed version on a laptop is deinstalled before it gets installed on another one it's supposed to work.

This is very confusing and I feel kinda stuck. That's what I don't like about the ongoing technology. Am I really supposed to keep up with this? In my mind it's supposed to make life easier for me, but it doesn't.

My problem is that I trusted a computer guy once (he owns a computer service business) and he screwed up big time. That's why I can't / won't use the acer anymore.

The HP isn't that old and I got issues already. I wish I would have known how to stop the update in this first place.