ditching win 8 for win 7

I just bought a 17.3 " Samsung series 7 laptop. I also just purchased a samsung 840 ssd. Is the install going to be as simple as replace drive. Insert win 7 disc. Boot machine. Follow win 7 install directions. Install drivers.
I will download all drivers from samsung website before starting install.

 

You could just clone the existing drive on to the SSD. Much less hassle than going for a clean install.

 

I could but then I would still be on win 8 I want to use win 7

 

Not if it came with Windows 8.

 

The samsung site doesnt even list drivers for win 8 under my laptop. win 7 should be fairly straightforward

exactly.

Not sure what happened to my other post. Not having drivers listed for win 8 makes me wonder if the laptop will run better with win 7.

 

You probably need to disable Secure Boot and UEFI. See this thread regarding UEFI.

Samsung no longer produces new lists of downloadable drivers. You install SW Update and sit back (with fingers crossed) while it gets all the relevant drivers and software.

John

 

So if I am just going to install win 7 I should be okay. I am open to just cloning win 8 if this is gonna be a PIA. I hate when manufacturers make like this difficult.

Thnx

Sent from my unlocked Note 2

If I clone the drive it's just a swap and go.. correct?

Sent from my unlocked Note 2

 

Depends.

If you mean pull the Win8 drive, swap in the new drive and clean install Win7, then yes.

 

The drivers for win 7 on the sammy site are fine to use corect? I just disable UEIF in Bios correct? How do I fix secure boot?

 

Yes, I have my NP900X3D set with the OS Mode Selection = CSM OS, Secure Boot = Disabled

The simple way to get the drivers is to download and install the Samsung Update Software to see what is available, save what you want local, and run the install for each package local. At least that is what I do. More work but more control.

 

Well the install is done. I ended up doing a clean install of win 7 ult. Took about 2 hours to finish,but its running great.
I disabled secure boot installed win7 got wireless working download the other drivers. Viola done.

I do have a question though. Since I have a ssd drive I dont need to install the express cache drivers or the HEI driver correct?

Thanks

Ty

 

Great, good job!

And correct, you don't need ExpressCache since your SSD is faster anyway. Use that iSSD for whatever you like.

If you meant HECI, that's Intel Management Engine. You will have an unknown device without the drivers. I recommend getting it from Windows Update as it comes with less bloat.

 

Cool om almost done then. I ran all win7 updates and still have a unknown device. It doesn't show up in device manager though. No yellow in device manager. I will download HECI drivers and see if that's the one

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Win7 us so much better than win8
B-)

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There you go!

 

If all is well in your Device Manager, you're good to go. No need to download and install Samsun'g HECI in that case.

For my Z3A (Sandy Bridge) Windows Update offered an Intel ME driver (under Optional Updates) which took care of an Unknown Device. Before that I would do a Driver Update in Device Manager and point to the Driver folder of the unzipped HECI package. Installing the full Samsung HECI package installs some additional bloat that I would rather avoid.

Again, good job there

Update/side note: I just installed Win8 on my test partition, mostly so that I can answer some of the Win8 related questions here. Last time I checked it out was the Consumer Preview. I still don't like the Modern Metro Mess and how it penalizes non-touch screen users. BUT, that said, it's not as bad as I remember once you discover the hidden interface tricks; and it does have some real benefits over Win7. Installation was a breeze, and everything works with the latest drivers.

With that, back to the scheduled program of Win8 bashing

 

Weird thing is if I go to devices and printers, I have a yellow exclaimtion point. Trouble shooting devices finds no problems.

Sooner or later I'll get it all smoothed out. I have no problems with os running that I can see

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Oh and yeah the metro interface sucks. Why would I want to touch the screen. That just sets off my ocd and I have to polish the screen

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I hardly ever use the modern apps on my NP900X3D. But on my Surface RT, that is all I use.

 

Yes, I absolutely agree Thor, Metro is fine on a tablet. That's where it makes sense.

On a PC, it not only requires more mouse work to accomplish the same little things (not to mention the flipping back and forth), but it's a colossal waste of screen real estate to render everything in huge boldface letters -- to accommodate the touch interface.

 

Agreed. Tablet use it works great. Otherwise, not my thing at all

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Also thinking about downgrading to win 7 after using 8 for a few days on my new Series 9.. does windows 8 eventually grow on you or is it just really a mess of an OS?

 

@Penetrator: Those who like it seem to REALLY like it. I must say after spending a little time with it, I can now better understand why. But as I mentioned earlier, it's despite (not because of) the Modern Metro Mess.

Edit: To put it differently: If I could choose to boot straight to the Desktop with a Start Menu, and only load Metro when/if I want to, I'd switch to Win8 in a heartbeat.

 

TBH, there are start button apps that practically do that. So that should not hamper you, my issue is with M$ pulling gadgets by lying to us all about issues already known to exist from day one and Aero Glass. The fact it isn't there just knaws at me to no end..............

 

Yes, I saw that, it's a fair argument. Member bertsirkin recommended one such 3rd party Start Menu app in this post in the Series 9 Windows 8 thread.

I guess I still find this to be so basic that I want it to be a native part of the OS before I commit. I don't want to be fighting Microsoft every step of the way. I think they will have to eventually release something that appeals to existing Windows users. It's clearly not a technical problem, the code is all there, they just have to make up their minds if they want to forcefully push users to a new UI paradigm (on old PCs) or let them let them gradually move as they switch to touch screen devices.

 

That is exactly what I do on my NP900X3D-A02US.

 

When will they realise that there are plenty of people out there who prefer matte screens to avoid unwanted glare (and Samsung have made this a feature of their entire notebook range during the past year)? However, keeping matte screens clean is more challenging than a shiny glossy finish and a touch screen will make it even more challenging. Perhaps the message might get through from the big corporate customers who will stick with a previous version of Windows to avoid both the glare issue and then need to retrain innumerable users. When is Windows 9 expected?

John

 

Yea, I worry about this too. Especially after the Intel CES announcement that the Ultrabook logo requires a touch screen.

I hope makers provide matte non touch versions of their machines.

 

I was just telling a buddy of mine that I bet the first service pack for win 8 allows the choice of start button or metro

 

I hope they will do that, but I am not sure they will. This is clearly not an oversight on Microsoft's part. They knew this would be unpopular, but they're convinced that their user base must be converted to a touch paradigm -- and they are on a mission to make that happen.

I think they feel they have an advantage over Apple here, in bringing touch and classic interfaces together under the same roof. If they can make the switch happen sooner, they hope to better defend themselves against iPad and Android eroding Microsoft's role.

Even though I don't like the outcome (the Modern Metro Mess) I understand their plight, and even respect their willingness to take on this battle.

 

I was looking at the Microsoft surface tablet, i5 proc, it was nice. The metro interface makes sense. This is the future of portable devices, Imo.

I think a 12" tablet like the surface tab. Running Win8 with an i7 proc, 8gigs of ram, 256 gb ssd. 2 usb 3 ports and a internal sd card.

This will be here soon. Do this for around $1000-1500, and it will sell

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@earled: I agree, that form factor has great potential. I've been tempted several times to buy an Asus Transformer for my wife (particularly the TF700 with Tegra 3 and 1920x1200 screen). Two years ago, they were the first to come out with a tablet that transforms to a laptop by attaching a keyboard. Sheer genius! But although it is excellent as an Android tablet, it wouldn't be able to run the Windows apps you need on a laptop. A bit of a tweener.

On the subject of touch screens on laptops: It reminds me of the HP 150 back in 1983: A highly innovative machine for its time, with a touchscreen to ease the use of programs like Lotus 1-2-3 (spreadsheet) and WordStar or Multimate (word processing). It ultimately failed because it wasn't IBM PC compatible. But I remember that, as intuitive and obvious as it was, using a touchscreen on a desktop computer was actually rather hard work, requiring you to keep your arm raised above the keyboard for many hours. Although a mouse can be ergonomically challenging as well, at least your arm can rest while using it.

As we all agree, tablets is another matter, and Metro works fine there.

 

dumb question, but how did you do this?
Thanks,

 

I use Start8™ for Windows® 8 - Bringing back the Windows Start menu

There are some other products on the market that claim to be as good or better, lower cost, lower footprint, etc.

 

Awesome..Thanks for the insight.

 

Have you guys noticed any issues doing a clean install of win7 on a machine with win8 originally? I cannot remember where but I remember reading that this may cause some issues?!

Please correct me if I'm wrong (I hope I am)

 

Nope no problems. Install went pretty smooth. Just download all your drivers and burn to disc before you start install. I shut of secure boot.

I used start 8 and it was pretty good, but I find Win 7 is just much better. Win 8 is a disaster imo.

 

I wouldn't touch Win 8 with a barge pole. Stupid touch interface being forced on desktop/laptop users.

 

This thread doesn't belong in the Samsung forum. I think it should be moved to Microsoft Windows Forum

 

I can see the logic of that, given the thread title and the most recent posts.

But I think it's fine to have it here. The first few pages were all about Samsung specific issues: Samsung drivers, Samsung BIOS settings, Samsung UEFI issues etc. Only after that was covered did it turn into a Win7 vs Win8 debate. No harm in Samsung owners exchanging opinions on that subject in the context of their Samsung PCs.

Personally I wouldn't have seen or participated had it been in another forum, as I only have time to follow this one.

That's just my opinion, of course. I am not arguing strongly one way or the other.

 

I don't mind as long as the context is running Windows 8 on the Samsungs. What I do mind is the bashing that doesn't offer any credible backup to support the bashing. It is usually done by someone that doesn't have any (or very little) experience with the product.

I really don't see what the big deal is. I run Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Server 2012, OS X, Linux, etc. They all have their strengths and weaknesses.

 

Thor,
Imo, note my opinion, win8 is a disaster. The fact that Microsoft is forcing the touch screen interface is crazy. I have played with a surface tab and it works there. Just not on a desktop\laptop. Why do I want to touch my CLEAN screen and put fingerprints on it. Microsoft dropped the ball on this one.

I'm glad you don't mind win8. You are in the minority. Imo win 7 is better. You are allowed your opinion. If you like it, use it. And be happy.

Sent from my unlocked Note 2

 

I just went over this yesterday with a family member and showed them first the Surface RT, then my Samsung Series 9. Right away they noticed when I booted and logged in on the Samsung that they didn't see the metro tiles and it had a start button that worked just like Windows 7.

I then commented, press the Windows keyboard button and of course up pops the metro apps. I said press that key again, and back they go to the traditional desktop.

We then did some comparisons on how to start and stop apps, use various apps designed for Windows 8 and legacy apps for Windows 7.

Then my brother in law asked, "What is everyone gritching about?"

I pointed out the start button and being forced to the Metro tiles first. Both easily circumvented with free or small fee add-ons.

He just laughed.

 

And your point? Like I said if you like it, use it. I don't like it, so I'm not using it.

Your family member used it for all of 30 seconds. Let him use I think for a week or more and ask him again.

Like I said, Imo, win8 is horrible.

Sent from my unlocked Note 2

I'm done with this thread. Mods can lock it. Opinions are just that. Use whatever OS you want. Thanks for all who helped me out

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I would love that, too.

 

Personally, I think this thread has a valuable role for discussion of the possible obstacles encountered if attempting to downgrade the Windows version on Samsung notebooks (for whatever reason).

John

 

Actually I have no gripe with Modern as it can be circumvented. The gripes, in no particular order, are;

1.) Aero Glass missing
2.) DWM broken; (I like Window Blinds etc.)
3.) Removal of Windows Gadgets. (Particularly M$ scare tactics for already well known issues)

I would have lived with the gadget issue but the Aero Glass one along with the broken DWM was the straw that broke the camel’s back. To me now they have to fix it ALL before I'll convert. M$ has to show it finally is listening to all of us original beta testers and make it at least as it was right before the RTM with the added option to loose metro or at least put it on the back burner for PC's.

The issue(s) for those that want to install Windows 7 should be addressed as well. IMHO M$ should make it an option for all non-touch screen users, not just Win8 PRO, to have easily obtainable downgrade rights that are supported by the OEM's. Since M$ is making the mess with some consumers wanting non Windows 8 machines it is their job to fix, and pay for, it! I mean they get the licensing fee for an OS either way and they should convenience the consumer. Not as it is where it is the other way around right now.............

Edit; Also remember all the driver issues, crash problems and software compatability issues not mentioned. These though can be atributed to growing pains and over time may resolve.