I have to say it boggles my mind that HP will not support the best OS Microsoft has ever put out, but will support the next ME or vista.
HP isn't alone not supporting the installation of Windows 7 on their computers shipped with Windows 8. Most every other major computer manufacturer has the same policy... This is what Gateway / Acer / eMachines has to say about it;
"I bought a system with Windows8, can I install a different operating system?
You can install an operating system different from what shipped on your computer. If you choose to do so, you are responsible for locating and installing any drivers or software needed. Gateway will not be able to troubleshoot any issues you have while installing or using another operating system."
This will be the last HP product I ever purhase. I'll probably just trade this desktop for a older but far better win7 machine.
Again, every other major computer manufacturer has moved to Windows 8. Just about he only way to get Windows 7 pre-installed and supported on a computer is to purchase a business class machine with Windows 7. If this is your last HP, then most likely this is your last computer purchase... period.
Very dissapointed in this company. Locking down OS, graphic card upgrades,etc.
HP hasn't locked down anything... they didn't lock down the OS, the graphics cards... none of it. What you are seeing is the result of industry wide changes. "Secure Boot" has nothing to do with HP or any other manufacturer, other than them implementing it to fulfil the requirements of Windows 8. With computers moving away from small hard drives, MBR, BIOS, etc. and toward very large (2.2TB+) AF (advanced format) hard drive, GPT, UEFI, etc. the game ahs changed, and companies and consumers need to adapt and evolve with the technology.
If you still want to install Windows 7, it is very easy to do. I have done it on a dozen different computers from several manufacturers. Just follow the information in my previous post;
1) Make sure you create your HP Recovery Discs or USB Flash Recovery media before modifying or changing ANYTHING.
2) You will need to DISABLE "Secure Boot" and maybe ENABLE "Legacy Support" in the "BIOS Secure Boot cofiguration" on the settings page shown below before you can attempt to install Windows 7. If using a USB Flash Drive, will aslo need to DISABLE "Fast Boot"
3) Additionally, as the hard drive is partitioned as GPT, you must boot the computer using the "UEFI - CD/DVD drive" in the "F9" boot menu. If "UEFI - CD/DVD drive" or something to that effect doesn't exist in the boot menu, please post a screen shot and descibe the listed options.
4) Please use a Windows 7 SP1 disc for the best intallation experience. If you need a Windows SP1, please see "How to Install Windows 7 Without the Disc" to download and create your own. If the DVD refuse to boot as UEFI, you may need to use a USB Flash drive as the installation media. Please download the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool to create a Windows 7 USB Flash drive. If your hard drive doesn't appear in the list of drives to select when installing Windows 7, your computer may be set to RAID. You may be able to change the setting to AHCI or you may be able to load the appropriate drivers by pressing "F6".
If you have any issues, please post back.
Once Windows 7 is fully installed, we will need to locate drivers from a similar pre-Windows 8 model or the chipset manufacturer's webites.
Please send KUDOS