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General discussion

Windows 8 just isn't my thing, can I install Windows 7 over

Jan 25, 2013 6:58AM PST
Question:

Windows 8 just isn't my thing, can I install Windows 7 over 8?


I just bought a new PC that came with Windows 8 and it is just too
different for me and my wife. We'd like to go back one step and install
Windows 7 over it. Is this possible to do? And if it is, can you tell
me exactly what the procedures are and what version of Windows 7 (upgrade or full version)
is needed to accomplish this? Thank you for your help.


--Submitted by: Gary G.

Discussion is locked

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Can't install over
Feb 1, 2013 1:48PM PST

A general setting with Windows is that you can't install an older version. If you have XP Svc pack 3 and something craters, you can't do a repair with a Svc Pack 2 install disk, etc. There may be a special downgrade disk for business computers purchased with downgrade rights (don't know), but there's no such thing for "regular folks".

I went from 7 Home Premium to 8 Pro on my main home machine and used Classic Start Menu to give it the "look and feel" of 7 except I left the slide-out right-side menu (which Classic Start Menu can disable). I found 8 still was somewhat unwieldy. Things a power user can do in 7 keep refusing permission in 8 or you have to "jump through hoops".

After awhile, an unrelated hardware problem caused a total crash. For some reason the good backups just wouldn't reinstall. I reinstalled 8 (no other programs), but then thought, "Wait a minute! I like 7 better! Even though I can make 8 look the same, 7 is a bit more stable and less of a hassle!" So I wound up reinstalling 7 onto a different SSD instead and then loading all the other programs.

Incidentally, when I wound up upgrading my spare computer, I just stuck in the Win 8 reinstall I had done. I use a KVM switch, so both computers have the same monitor and keyboard. Because it wound up with a look and feel almost exactly like 7 after booting, I had to set a different theme so I don't get confused as to whether I'm in 7 or 8.

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I'm still trying to figure out what is so great about Win7..
Feb 1, 2013 1:59PM PST

....within seconds of installing Win7 replacing perfectly functional WinXP I discovered M$ had destroyed my ability to be productive.

No more View Filmstrip.
This is/was a fast, easy way to navigate folders with large quantities of media files. Preview screen is NOT the same....

No more Explore option.
I know, you can use a third party utility to simulate Explore, but the functionality is gone! No more can you explore a nested folder file system by arrowing down on the left pane while showing the folders' contents in the right pane. Pain in the ****.....

Default option of Details view doesn't show file size? ***?

And that was just the first few seconds of booting, the list only grows as I struggle with another "tweaked" OS courtesy of the know-it-alls over in Redmond.

And so now we're supposed to "upgrade" to WIn8 and throw some more third-party utilities at IT to make simulate Win7 which was a FAIL? Meh!

Already bought myself a Macbook.....

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Rafael "Mental" Block
Feb 2, 2013 5:37AM PST

Clearly, your mind is bought, and like an "MS" product. That said, it was done by APPLE. Why did you waste your time to contribute?

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first go into the bios and see if you can ditch secure boot!
Feb 1, 2013 2:27PM PST

Provided this is not a laptop or Surface tablet we are talking about? Even so with most you will be able to ditch secure boot.

If you have a legit copy of windows 7 go into the bios ..still usually accessed by hitting delete during the POST (power on self test). Some companies like Dell will use other bios access methods but it is all documented.
In the BIOS there will be an option to disable secure boot, which is in reality not a real security issue or source of pc infections. Microsoft just made a stink with vendors and they all jumped on board so that it is now a little harder to dual boot computers off the shelf. (slows down the adoption of Ubuntu and Mint Linux)

You can then remove the existing windows drive put it aside if you want to keep windows 8 and resell the computer with it later. For cheap you can pick up another drive and just put windows 7 on it... the manufacturer most likely has alternate windows7 drivers for the hardware on their web site. Most windows 8 motherboards are exactly the same as the last generation windows 7 devices and the hardware drivers should not be problematic.

I would download and stick a copy of Mint linux or Knoppix linux on a thumb drive and try it out in live mode without having the secure boot get in the way to see how old your hardware really is. If all the devices work then chances are Windows 7 will run without issues. Again just unplug the windows 8 drive and you should not have trouble.

It is mandated that you can turn off secure boot and by doing so you will not have issues installing either windows 7 or running a test session of any version of Linux.

The whole secure boot nonsense is just a ploy to stop people from down grading to 7 or trying out Linux, don't let the shills on the net fool you, having secure boot turned off will not compromise your security or the functionality of your system!

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I regret Windows 8
Feb 1, 2013 7:49PM PST

We did 8 only because it was cheap and for the under the hood changes, I knew the UI and hated it. So far of 4 systems, one is already back on Win 7. Would I reinstall Win 8 again? Heck no. Talk about buyers remorse. I have had Win 8 Pro since like three days after it came out and have not seen one thing in that was worth the time or the money to upgrade. I ended up buying Start8 just to get rid of the awkward hideous UI. Now Win 8 looks much like Win 7 and it's fine. But like I said I wouldn't do it again and no I would not recommend it to anyone.

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Using Windows 8...
Feb 1, 2013 9:15PM PST

After building my latest PC, I decided between Win7 & Win8 that I would use Win8. The only concession to Windows 7 I made was installing Stardock's "Start8" software because I despise the Modern UI Start Menu on my desktop PC. Win8, to Me, has been faster, more stable and easier to use in many ways (Task Manager springs to mind.) I think I'll keep it for now.

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I found a fix to run Start like Windows 7
Feb 2, 2013 12:03AM PST

Granted, not everyone likes all of the various utilities out there, but I am running IObit Advanced System Care 6 on my computer and they have a free add-on that you can download for free (with purchased program) that will give you the same desktop appearance as Windows 7, where everything is available through "Start." If you want to have Windows 8 Start appear, all you have to do is hold down the Alt + X and it brings you back to the Windows 8 format screen, use this to flip-flop between the two screens. I'm not as technologically advanced as you all, but this works superbly for me. It even has the "shutdown" feature so you don't have to go through two screens to shut down your computer.

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I see no problems
Feb 2, 2013 1:18AM PST

Sure has different look and feel. I came from xp pro, for while took seaerching find the things I needed. Was told not best os for mmo gaming, I have yet to run into any issues. Different look and feel. Just needs time to get used to.

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Win 8 - Great...Win 7 Downgrade - Hope You Have Backup
Feb 2, 2013 1:59AM PST

I have been using Win 8 exclusively since the full release to Developers on August 24, 2012. I was a little apprehensive at first but, after a few days of playing with it, I grew to love the new OS. The problem and complaint I see from most is that Windows 8 is not like Windows 7...It isn't supposed to be. MS took a bold redesign approach to consolidate a tablet OS with a PC one. The argument that Win 8 is "just for a tablet" is completely false. The tablet only version was Windows 8 RT. Most that I have talked to that got stuck in that mentality are the ones that complain the most. And now that the Win 8 64-bit is releasing to the Surface on Feb. 6, the new OS is exactly the same on the local machine and the tablet. In other words, there is nothing you will not be able to do on a tablet that you can do on a laptop/desktop. Imagine how functional and practical that is to a business looking to integrate local computers and the mobility of a tablet without losing functionality. I have supported tablets in a business environment for quite a while and can honestly say that the biggest complaint I hear from users is that they aren't able to do the same things on a tablet as a laptop and have to carry both. With Win 8, problem solved.
The radical redesign is great but it does take a little effort for the user to learn. Windows Key shortcuts and functionality shortcuts are the key to maximizing the OS functionality, especially if you don't have a touchscreen (and for the record I do not and use a traditional mouse).. Resources can be found all over the Internet, and Cnet and TechRepublic are two of the best ones. I would not roll back to Win 7. Win 8 is lighter on resources, faster to boot, and is more stable. "But the apps are limited and suck"...in the beginning. App Developers are constantly adding new ones and I have to say I have been impressed with a lot of them. So many are releasing now that it is hard to keep track of at times. There are apps that I have on my Win 8 that I wish I had on my iPhone and Kindle. MS has also certified so many applications now that there are few I have seen that aren't compatible with Win 8. But, like most OS version changes, it takes time to get "everything" compatible.

As far as going back to Win 7,,,I hope you have a backup or image. According to Microsoft, in order to go from Win 8 to Win 7 will require a new install...in other words you will have to reformat the drive. You will not be able to roll Win 8 back to Win 7. What I did was create an image of my Win 7 machine before I installed Win 8 as well as made sure I backed up all of my important stuff externally. If you did not, then just make sure you make a copy of all of your docs, pics, etc. and a list of the programs you have installed (and hope you have the install discs and/or the program .EXEs or .MSIs). Make sure you have some time too because you will have a lot of updates and configuring to do after the reformat and install. Win 7 has been out for quite a while and the updates are huge in number.

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Don't go back
Feb 2, 2013 2:35AM PST

I do not own Win8 yet, because I do want Win8 with a touch screen. If have been through every OS since Windows 95... every one. Each is different and each is a learning experience. I am ready for a new experience, and touch is here. One just has to go with it, mumble and grumble, and after a litlle while (note, I said little while), you will have it, and ALL will be ok. It had to be, and Microsoft did it... and it will be all right. Time is of the essence. It will be ok. Don't go back, please.

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Classic Shell is an easier solution and FREE.
Feb 2, 2013 3:18AM PST

It is a Source Forge project. http://www.classicshell.net/ . You can even get it to look like XP if you want. A great program and shell replacement that should remain FREE, Though contributing is always a good thing for something like this to continue to feed and house the developers of great things like this =)

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It's not called a downgrade, its a reinstall...
Feb 2, 2013 3:43AM PST

The only way I know to remove Windows 8 or any installation of Windows is to run the setup from a windows disc or USB device. From there its just a matter of deleting (formatting) the hard drive that Windows 8 is installed on. Then the Windows 7 setup will install to the drive Windows 8 was on. However it is highly recommended you write down your motherboards model number and other hardware devices model numbers, if applicable. This way you can recover your drivers from the internet. Most new computers have the drivers stored on the C drive in a folder called drivers or similar. Usually on a computer newer than 2007 Windows 7 is able to install all the drivers for it, generic drivers, which can be updated using windows update or the hardware manufactures website. That's about the biggest issue you will encounter in a reinstall. Please note that a full format of the hard drive will result in a total loss of any information you have stored on your computer. Not just the operating system, but any personal data such as pictures, music, etc will be lost unless you have backed it up. All pre-installed software from the PC maker will also be lost. However this is actually a good thing since all the pre-installed bloatware will no longer be starting up and slowing down your boot time.

There is also the option of installing a dual boot setup. With this method you can keep both Windows 8 and install whatever operating system you like on a different partition of the same hard drive. This can be accomplished almost the same way as a regular install of Windows. The only thing different you have to do is setup a secondary partition using Windows computer management. This windows application can be found under the administrative tools menu on the start menu (in windows 8 I have no idea where it is). If you can find it, then you can create a new partition on the C drive which uses the free space on your hard drive so be careful and read your total amount of free space before setting the new partition size. Once you have created the new partition, insert your install media (DVD/USB) and reboot the PC. Then press F8 or whatever key that allows you to manually choose your bootup device. Then choose the DVD drive or USB device that contains your OS install media. The computer will enter setup and you will see two hard drives this time. Choose the drive that you just created when you partitioned the hard drive, as the install location for windows 7. Also, be sure to leave the other drive alone as that will contain your Windows 8 install and all related programs/media. Install the operating system and answer the questions it ask you along the way. If my rough explanation is not clear enough for you to understand then refer to these Microsoft installation guides.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-7

or for dual booting try,

http://windows.microsoft.com/is-IS/windows-vista/Install-more-than-one-operating-system-multiboot

I've tried Windows 8, and its nice looking and all. Though I ran it in a dual boot situation on a laptop I have. That way when I was done checking it out, and found it not to be the right operating system choice for me. All I had to do was erase the Windows 8 partition after booting to the Windows 7 install that was already there.

I completely understand why you would want to change your operating system. Windows 8 is for touchscreen computers and most desktop users will not be able to utilize the full functionality of Windows 8 unless they are willing to invest in the hardware. In a few more years all new computers sold will have some kind of touch interface and then Windows 8 may find more of an audience.

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Get used to it ;-)
Feb 2, 2013 6:13AM PST

I am somewhat computer saavy but my wife isn't. She had been pestering me for a laptop for months, and before Christmas I went to check them out in the stores and online. Knowing that MS had released Win8 I had looked at the features and had decided to stick with 7.
That was until I came across a Acer touch screen laptop!
After fooling with it for a short time and having the salesperson show me some of the hidden Win7 GUI that is really still there in the background, I decided to purchase the Acer over Dell that I had always been loyal to.Yes it s somwhat annoying to getting around but like everything else once you get used to it ,it isn't so bad.I remember back in the day when Windows 95 was released, the calamity that caused and people who were used to keyboarding complaining about using a MOUSE! Look how far we have come!

All I can say is, my wife has taken to the machine like a duck to water,absolutely loves it, and has figured her way around getting things done, even without major help from me,for which I applaud her.She mostly uses it for working with photos, scrapbooking, art, and online browsing (ancestry.com).I have actually come to like it myself, but at this time would not change my 2 Win 7 desktops over to 8 since reloading all my programs and files would be a major hassle and they are not touch screens.
Some of the available apps for 8 are worthless, some are very good, you have to sort through them.

The combination of Win 8 and a touch screen are a match made in Heaven.
It really boils down to just what type of work you do and how efficently you can do it.

Bottom line -Proper tools for the job at hand and how you work,Win 8 is optimised for touch screens,and this IS the future of computing.

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Wow
Feb 2, 2013 1:02PM PST

You have your nose deep inside MS....

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Windows 8 just isn't my thing,
Feb 2, 2013 8:29AM PST

I have it for a month now. It is a major screw-up. Nothing intuitive about it. One need to learn avery step of the way. And there is no "Windows 8 for dummies" yet. But I am getting the hang of it. Takes some time. One need to go around those convoluted pathways, then remembering how arrived there, and try to find a shortcut. Somebody suggested the desktop as a square one. It helps. Regards. Ureck.

PS. It is fast though!

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Windows 8 just isn't my thing,
Feb 2, 2013 8:34AM PST

I have it for a month now. It is a major sc**w-up. (Eg Vista) Nothing intuitive about it. One need to learn avery step of the way. And there is no "Windows 8 for dummies" yet. But I am getting the hang of it. Takes some time. One need to go around those convoluted pathways, then remembering how arrived there, and try to find a shortcut. Somebody suggested the desktop as a square one. It helps. Regards. Gtobol.
PS. It is fast though!

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Can I Install Windows 7 over Windows 8?
Feb 2, 2013 3:59PM PST

Wow. The OP asked a simple question which I have kept as my subject title. I clicked on this to see if I could find an answer and all I get is all this bull crap about which system is better. Windows 8 sucks for desktops, pure and simple. Now, can anyone tell me how to install Windows 7 over this crap without getting into an argument about which is better?

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Re- installing Windows 7 Over Windows 8-
Feb 2, 2013 4:22PM PST

You might have been better off just buying the Windows 8 installation DVD then installing it on one of your Windows 7 computers.Then you could either have duel booted it with Windows 7 so,then you would have had the best of both worlds, or run it as the only OS.

I recently bought Windows 8 Pro upgrade install DVD which I will install on one of my Windows 7 netbooks. The reason why is that-

1/ I don't want 64 bit Windows and my netbooks have 32 bit Windows so I can install the 32 bit version of Windows 8 on my Windows 7 netbooks and run it as the only OS. Just like I was doing with Windows 8 RP and the Beta versions of Windows 8. If you buy a Windows 8 laptop in the shops,they are not netbooks,they are big laptops ,and so they have 64 bit Windows. So the only way round this is to buy a Windows 7 netbook, this has 32 bit Windows then install Windows 8 32 bit over it. I only ever run 32 bit Windows never 64 bit because 32 bit Windows runs all the old software from older versions of Windows.

2/The second reason why I why I would only install Windows 8 on one of my Windows 7 netbooks and not buy a laptop pre- installed with 8 is. That you get all of the junk software from the manufacturers and then there is the problem with secure boot which stops you from installing other OS's. But if you install Windows 8 on one of your own Windows 7 laptops. There is of course no secure boot and you can uninstall Windows 8 anytime.

Why is it you don't like Windows 8 may I ask? If the problem is the Metro start menu,you can install a start menu software like Classic Shell to get the start button and Windows 7 start menu. And also there is Ribbon Disabler which disables the ribbon and gives you the Windows 7 Explorer.

but from what I read and what others have told me on other forum,you can turn off secure boot and then you should be able to install Windows 7 or any other version of Windows over Windows 8.

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MS Created This Monster
Feb 2, 2013 11:53PM PST

I think people get upset over the shortsightedness of corporate America, and this is a prime example. MS is trying to "FORCE" people to the newer way, rather than introduce them. It would have been so simple to add the choice of either Desktop w/ start button, or Tablet w/ tiles, while maintaining the move to the newer format. I think most would play with each, and discover that the other isn't quite so bad. Shame on Microsoft

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Be Careful
Feb 3, 2013 12:35AM PST

If you have win 7 you can install win 8 because it is considered an upgrade. Using that same method to go back to Win 7 takes a couple extra steps.

Win 7 comes with a couple of different versions. It has a 1st update pack so download that if you need it. This will save you time if you have the space on a USB Flash drive to store it. You can always download it later or purchase a version of Win 7 that comes with it.

Backup any files you want to keep. Once you start they will be gone forever. For instance if you have say some favorites in a browser or an address book try to export that info and save it on a flash drive. If you have any special settings for hooking up to the Internet like your ISP info you may want to save it. If you are using a router that info is probably in the router. However, you may be using special settings in your e-mail or something like that.

If you have a new Win 7 OEM version or a retail version that might be possible to install Win 7. I recommend that you do a install as if you were building a new computer. You want to insert the install DVD and then let it go to the first screen. You may need to pick an advanced install. First delete the partition and select to use all the space on the hard drive to create a new partion. This rewrites or forces a rewrite of all the data on the hard drive. You will then need to format the drive. These two first steps gets rid of all of the effects of Win 8, and gives you a clean slate on which to install a new OS of your choice. So then the program should automatically go to installing Win 7. If you can get to this part then it should install almost automatically. It may ask a few questions like language, Time Zone, etc.

I do not usually install software on retail computers. There are some problems that may pop up if you try this so I always suggest you go to your manufacturers support website first to see if anyone else is doing this. You may need chipset drivers or video and networking drivers to make it work.

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Wait just a keyboard poundin minute
Feb 3, 2013 7:23AM PST

The next email I opened here was for keyboards for tablets. Keyboards for tablets are everywhere. Well, hey, if almost everyone wants a keyboard for their tablet, there are these integral things called laptops, notebooks, etc. It seems that the touching moment of the tablet was short-lived. Then why did Microsoft bundle all that cumbersome, idiotic interface together in Windows 8?

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Just wipe the Hardrive and do a fresh install of Win7
Feb 3, 2013 8:49PM PST

Probably the best thing to so it wipe the hard drive (from DOS, use a Boot disk like Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) www.dban.org) then do a fresh install of Win 8

Yes Windows 8 is HORRIBLE for a daily use PC, if you use your PC for WORK that is, if you just surf the web and write email then its the OS for you, but its the same thing as using a cell phone or tablet. so stick to your cell phone. If you like table PCs, then get an Ipod they are superior to any Windows device. However if you actually need to run applications and WORK ON A PC, NOT A TABLE stay with Windows 7.

I wont use Windows 8, so goodby MS. I can use Linux for most of my work (Take a look at Linex and Open Office (openoffice.org) a nice free office suite. ) My next computer will be a Mac, as many of you are doing and I think that the best way to go. Windows 8 is the beginning of the end for Microsoft, and good riddance. The will lose so much money on the Surface and Win8 they will begin a spiral to oblivion.

far fetched? Not at all. My company had started a policy of no new MS PCs, we are going Mac and Linex. , those that need tables will get Apple devices. I have used Linux for years (I just LOVE to go into a Hotel and ask them how I connect to their network LOL its fun and only a bit evil)


so wipe that crap off your drive and get a better OS and start looking at the Mac, its the wave of the future.

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Do it!!
Feb 4, 2013 12:13AM PST

I ran the Consumer Preview, and I'm glad I did, I didn't have to go through the curiosity of what I'd be getting myself into running it on one of my machines and not just in a VM.

I stuck with Windows 7 on my gaming rig, and on my laptop I switched over to Ubuntu with Gnome.

Anyway, I wanted to say if you're going to stick with Windows 7 for what might potentially be the rest of time, please do the rest of the world a favor and don't run Internet Explorer. I prefer the non-profit built Firefox, but even Chrome, or Safari for Windows is a better choice than IE. Firefox won't be tracking you in weird unknown ways like Chrome may be, but all of them will give you better security and a more advanced web to enjoy.

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Don't hold me to this...............
Feb 5, 2013 4:10AM PST

I don't remember exactly where I read this but if memory serves me correctly it was in one of the ZDNet forums.
Now I don't know "exactly" where the person who posted it got their information but if I remember their piece it said that if you purchased a "new computer" with Win8 "pre-installed" you couldn't replace the OS (WinCool.

They stated "that somehow, either through a chip on the motherboard or when uninstalling Win8 it left something/ some trace on the hard drive that would "ONLY" allow the installation of Win8"!

It might have been something in the BIOS setup, I believe that is where they said the little sneaky 8 and only 8 could be installed glitch was hidden and MS made them, the manufacturers, put it there to prevent the person from going back to Win7 or even any of the Linux flavors!!!!! Effectively owning "YOUR" computer!!! You bought it BUT they can tell you what to install or not!!

Doesn't that give you that warm and fuzzy feeling in the pit of your stomach?? The more I think about it, that "IS" where the hidden trap lies according to their post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Ergo if it came pre installed your stuck, your goose is cooked, etc, etc, etc. I don't know if that person "was being factual" or was on drugs. Don't shoot me as I didn't write it. But I recall reading/ seeing somewhere(?) that you can't uninstall 8 and put on anything but 8.

Maybe I was on drugs that day but usually I don't go off the deep end by taking my vitamins!!!!

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Like I said turn of secure boot or die.
Feb 10, 2013 10:34AM PST

It is easy to confuse how to mess up getting windows 8 off a device. You DO need to do things that the average joe would not do. That is dump the need to check the bios signing keys. It is rather hidden and not something that seems to be a good idea. However by turning off the security key check you DO NOT repeat DO NOT stop UEFI bios features accessing HDD partitions larger than 2 gig if you are running a 64 bit environment. The bios will still boot a loader from the MBR (master boot record) that Windows 7 or Linux or whatever writes to the HDD.

This makes the average joe think that by turning bios singing keys in the bios then their install will be somehow insecure and thus they will be instantly "hacked" by evil Russian or Chinese communist hackers.

You be the judge, if this were the case then every single current window 7, vista, and XP install on planet needs to be eliminated immediately for the sake of US national security and the very future of Microsoft LOL

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Come over to the Dark Side!
Feb 7, 2013 5:59AM PST

I'll just throw a monkey wrench into the whole thing and suggest you come over to the dark side and try Linux. I know, I know, it's learning something new. Well, I'd suggest...not so much. Consider Zorin Linux (download from here: zorin-os.com). There's a free version to try as a live DVD, and there are also the versions "Ultimate", "Business", "Multimedia", and "Gaming" you can buy for somewhere between $36 and $45 (US) - the actual price is in Euros. It has the advantage of being able to change the desktop appearance with a click to resemble Windows 7 or XP, Mac, or Linux-Gnome2. It's based on Ubuntu 12.04, so you'll get excellent stability and 5-years long term support. There is actually very little that you can do on Windows that you can't on Linux, and for your favorite Windows software there's an interpretive program called Wine. At the very least, give it a look...

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re: Zorin
Feb 7, 2013 6:07AM PST

I Installed Zorin OS 6 Ultimate 2 weeks ago , cost $13.00 U.S. Wow What A System. It took a little setting up as any other OS . I had get the screen size right and just got my wireless printer running but now I see myself using Zorin all of the time.

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Format Baby! Format
Feb 7, 2013 9:09AM PST

It it were me, and my machine, I would format that puppy, (quick) the whole disk, and install Windows 7 on it, because of the plain simple fact that Windows 7 is a proven, reliable, ready to go, familiar to operate OS. I mean, there are lot's of people still running Windows Xp, because it is a proven and well liked OS. That is what I would do. Just make sure you have a good legit Windows 7 disk, and re-install to your hearts content!

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Microsoft app for desktop
Feb 9, 2013 1:22PM PST

I went to a MS store the other day. A rep told me that they're coming out with an app in two months to turn this...thing back to the 'way we were' - the desktop. Any verification of this?

They had some nice machines with Windows booting from a SSD and a 500 Gb drive for storage.

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Oh, it seems they have been noting their mistake!
Feb 10, 2013 3:31AM PST

As posting earlier, I have been having the familiar Win7 desktop with all familiar features on Win8 already months ...