Can I uninstall Win 8 from a T530 and install a Win 7 with the same product key without additional cost?

At lenovo, there is a T530 deal now but it comes only with Win 8 and Win 8 pro. If If I buy this T530, can I uninstall win 8 and use the same product key to install a win 7?

If yes, any additional cost?

If yes, any links about how-to steps?

Thanks a lot!

 

No, you can't. Messing around with Windows 8 is messy -- duh. I strongly recommend you find a ThinkPad with Windows 7.

 

Kaso, thanks so much for your input. That is what I am trying to avoid. I dont want to spend much time on doing the work Lenovo should do.

Any idea why Lenovo is giving so called "doorbuster" deals only with Win 8?

I know that Win 8 is not selling well, if I am correct.

Thanks!

 

There are really two issue with your original set of questions. First, the key that comes with the ThinkPad is likely embedded in the BIOS. Second, that key can only be used for Windows 8.

As Kaso mentioned, if you really care about the OS, order the one you want up front.

 

You are correct. They are ganging up to push this thing (put politely) down consumers' throats.

 

Thanks to all of you!

 

Base on my personal (painful) experience. Do not at any cost order
windows 8 to install windows 7.

 

I suppose spending some dollars to buy Windows 8 when you will eventually, possibly, probably need it, is much better than trying to be "smart" with your ThinkPad order. Life is short.

 

Microsoft should not mind if you have Windows 8 Pro and replace it with 7. You need to get the Windows 7 media and a key (even if used on another machine, just to pass the wizard), and finally call Microsoft.

Downgrading from Windows 8 to 7: What you need to know | PCWorld

 

Thanks so much for your info.

 

Thanks for sharing !

 

As I said, life is short. Why break your back for nothing?




Yeah right.

 

Well, I agree, but that's what the original poster wanted.

IMO the best way would be to keep Windows 8 if the laptop comes with it. It boots faster and its desktop mode is hardly different from Windows 7 (and where it's different, it's better). The new Start menu, which I don't personally like, takes time to get used to, but it will stay. It has many haters now, but in a couple of years people will get used to it and will actually prefer it, like has happened with MS Office Ribbon UI. It was the case before even with start menu: significant changes happened in Windows XP, and then again in Vista/W7, and all the time something got improved, something got worse or removed.

Still, it takes about 10 minutes and Start8 installation to restore things as they were, with start menu screen button (for people who can't stand pressing Windows key on their keyboard), Windows 7-like start menu, Quick Launch toolbar, etc. Solitaire is a Metro app now, so heavy players may be disappointed, but for others it's probably easier than reinstalling Windows.

 

Downgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 7 was a lot more involved than downgrading from Win7 or WinVista to XP. The whole UEFI/BIOS license/key thing was just annoying. I thought I'd be smart to order a Win8 machine and use my MSDNAA Win7 license for now...I wasn't wrong; I just had to jump through a lot more hoops than expected. ...thanks Micro$oft... my next computer is going to have a real OS like Linux.

TL,DR: It's doable (to downgrade) it's just more complicated than before. Create restore media and be ready to learn and have fun messing around for a few hours.

 

"Downgrading" is really a licensing term. It has nothing to do with installing an operating system. Installing Windows 7 or Windows 8 on a T530 is trivial. Especially if you have access to the .ISO's and keys.

You may find the Windows 8 license model and embedded key methodology a hassle, but I find it refreshing. I don't really have to worry about the key if I ever want to install Windows 8. I like that feature.

 

Can you elaborate more or the steps you took to 'downgrade'?

Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2

 

I've had a lot of experience re-imaging systems and installing operating systems (Installed Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, dual-booting Vista+XP, triple-booting Vista+XP+Linux, triple-booting Vista+XP+Win7.) Some things that seem second nature may be confusing or omitted... If there are parts that seem unclear, feel free to PM me and I can elaborate.

Background:
I ordered a Thinkpad X1 Carbon with Windows 8 64-bit preinstalled and preactivated. I have a spare Windows 7 Professional x64 license from MSDN-Academic Alliance.

General steps:
1. Boot up Windows 8 and see if you like it (I didn't so I decided I wanted to install Windows 7 on my machine.)
2. Just in case anything went terribly wrong, I went ahead and created "recovery media" of the Windows 8 factory install.
2a. Specific to the X1, your computer might be different: the X1 Carbon didn't have a CD/DVD drive. Recovery media must be created on a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. I only had a 4GB flash drive that contained Windows 7 x64 so I used a formatted MicroSD connected to the computer via my Android operating in CWM mode...long story...
3. Once recovery media is created, disconnect it and store in a safe place.
4. In Windows 8, open the Charms bar (right side of screen) and choose "Settings."
5. Select "General" on the left, vertical menu bar.
6. Choose "Restart" under "Advanced Startup" option (scroll to the bottom of the screen)
7. Your system will reboot. When it comes back up, you will be in the preboot environment of Windows 8.
8. Select "Troubleshoot" item in the menu.
9. Choose UEFI Firmware Settings" item in the submenu.
9a. Specific to the X1, your computer might be different: Press "Enter" for Setup Utility.
10. You will enter the UEFI/BIOS menu of your laptop.
11. Under “Advanced” (I think it’s under this menu, it could be a different menu name - look through the various menus and options) for the option for "Secure Boot," choose to disable it.
12. Under the “Boot” menu, for the option “UEFI/Legacy boot” choose "Both" and for which one to run first, pick "Legacy First."
13. Choose “Exit saving changes” to reboot.
14. On the next start, press “Enter” to interrupt the system startup.
15. Choose the correct device to boot from after pressing “F12.”
16. Insert your Windows 7 media into the USB port or DVD drive.
17. Complete the Windows 7 install and activate with your key.

Good places to reference:
Windows 8 - Downgrade Instructions
How To Access The BIOS On A Windows 8 Computer
http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/642274-hearsts-guide-clean-installing-windows-7-thinkpad.html