Downgrade Windows 10


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #1

    Downgrade Windows 10


    Hi, I was running windows 8.1 on my laptop but it broke. It was unable to be fixed so the insurance company sent me a brand new dell running windows 10. I hate it, I just want to know when the laptop came with windows 10 is it possible to downgrade to windows 8.1? thanks in advance
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #2

    There is no downgrade path from 10 to 8.
    You will have to purchase a genuine Windows 8 license and do a Clean Install over the Windows 10.
    You will also have to check to make sure you have the necessary drivers from the existing Win 10 computer to run Win 8. You probably will have to install a driver or 2 after clean installing Win 8.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    davidhk said:
    There is no downgrade path from 10 to 8.
    You will have to purchase a genuine Windows 8 license and do a Clean Install over the Windows 10.
    You will also have to check to make sure you have the necessary drivers from the existing Win 10 computer to run Win 8. You probably will have to install a driver or 2 after clean installing Win 8.
    If i could find the installation CD from my old laptop could I use that?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #4

    It is not the software that is crucial. It is the product key needed to activate the system.
    You need a valid, genuine Win 8 product key to activate if you clean install Win 8 over the pre-installed Win 10.

    Product key that comes with an operating system pre-installed in a computer can NOT be transferred to another computer no matter what.

    A retail product key that is already used for a computer can NOT be used for another computer.
    Last edited by davidhk; 23 Dec 2015 at 17:24.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #5

    If you have 10 Pro then it has downgrade rights to 7 Pro or 8.1 Pro.

    10 Home doesn't so as @davidhk says you'd have to buy a license (either 8 or 10 Pro whichever was cheaper would do).

    Understanding downgrade rights
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #6

    What do you dislike so much about Win 10? Maybe we can help you overcome whatever that is so you can stay with Win 10?
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    Stuartni said:
    If i could find the installation CD from my old laptop could I use that?
    Run showkeyplus from this forum. It will tell you the product key stored in bios and what version of Windows it is for. If it is a Windows 8 product key then you can download Windows 8 install media and use that to install Windows 8. If it is a Windows 10 product key in bios, then you will have to purchase a Windows 8 product key.

    Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

    Windows 8 download:
    Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
      My Computer


 

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