UNSOLVED
REINSTALLING WINDOWS 7 AFTER WINDOWS 8 INSTALL
August 3, 2013
I installed Windows 8 Pro on my XPS Studio 8100, when first available. Later, I was told that Dell had not tested W8 on this computer. To add to my misery, something went amiss when I made my back-up of the W7 O/S. I couldn't reinstall W7, I regret I installing W8. It is the most inane version of Windows since I started using computers, before Windows 3.1.
As far as Windows 8 is concerned, I think some person(s) at Microsoft were thinking too far outside the box. And, now I read that Microsoft is going to charge W8 users for the upgrade. Talk about adding insult to injury.
I am trying to decide if I will go back to Windows 7 or switch to Ubuntu Linux. The problem in switching is I have a lot of Windows compatible software programs.
I have Linux on a disc and have been playing around with it since yesterday. It's a most interesting and user friendly O/S.
Since I do not have backup discs that work I wonder if the version of W7, as originally installed on my computer, the same as the one I'd purchase elsewhere? Someone told me pc manufacturers "massage" the O/S for use in their products.
Thanks/Regards
Don
You can request a windows 7 disk if you are in the US and the original owner. There might be a charge.
Dell does not support windows 8, but Microsoft does. Try skipping the Start Screen and go straight to the Desktop instead. It is almost win 7.
Before you abandon Win 8, Google "Windows 8 Start button" and try out one of the utilities that add the Start button back to the Win 8 desktop. I personally prefer Start8 (www.stardock.com/.../start8) which also allows booting directly to the desktop rather than the Metro screen.
Once I'd configured everything the way I wanted, I've found Win 8 boots faster, and my laptop's battery seems to last longer.
Philip_Yip
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Posted August 5th, 2013 20:00
See Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows 7 in my signature. It will instruct you on a clean installation of Windows 7 step by step.
Step 1 will instruct you in where to download the media if you cannot procure it from Dell (see the IdeaStorm link in my signature for more information about procuring the media from Dell). Step 2 tells you how to obtain the Dell OEM activation and Step 11b tells you how to activate your product. You may also activate your product using phone activation Step 11e.
ieee488
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Posted August 3rd, 2013 14:00
I am not sure what you are asking. The Windows 7 you buy will be fine and work for your PC.