Can’t Install Windows 7 on Windows 8 PC
Reader Question:
“Hi Wally, I tried installing Windows 7 on my Windows 8 computer. Everything went great, but after the installation process ended, Windows didn’t start. I tried re-installing Windows 7 again from scratch, but its still not working? I don’t understand whats happening??” – Monica K., United Kingdom
Before addressing any computer issue, I always recommend scanning and repairing any underlying problems affecting your PC health and performance:
- Step 1 : Download PC Repair & Optimizer Tool (WinThruster for Win 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000 – Microsoft Gold Certified).
- Step 2 : Click “Start Scan” to find Windows registry issues that could be causing PC problems.
- Step 3 : Click “Repair All” to fix all issues.
Setting up weekly (or daily) automatic scans will help prevent system problems and keep your PC running fast and trouble-free.
Wally’s Answer: Reinstalling Windows can be a real chore at times, especially when facing problems. Many users have been encountering problems when installing Windows 7 on a Windows 8 (or Windows 10) computer. Here, we will look at how to fix these problems.
Problem
The user can’t install Windows 7 on a Windows 8 (or Windows 10) PC (or Laptop) computer.
Cause
The most likely cause is that the Windows 8 (or Windows 10) computer has a GPT partition system instead of MBR.
Solution
Here are some ways to fix this problem:
What The Heck are GPT and MBR?
GPT and MBR are two different ways of storing partition information on the hard disk. When you make a new partition, you can choose to make an MBR or GPT partition.
MBR
MBR can only work with hard disks of size up to 4 TB. MBR was the standard on all Windows PCs, until..
GPT
GPT (GUID Partition Table) became the new standard for Windows PCs and Laptops. As for the limits of GPT, they depend mostly on what Windows will allow. GPT has much better protection against hard disk corruption.
You Will Need To Convert Your Drive
If you must install Windows 7 on your Windows 8 (or Windows 10) computer, then you’ll have to remove all partitions and make GPT partitions. Use the diskpart command as explained in this article. You can also delete old partitions and make new ones using a free third-party tool like minitools Partition Manager if using commands is too difficult.
Copy Important Data before Converting Partitions
You should copy important data before deleting all partitions and converting the hard disk to GPT. You can do this even if Windows is no longer working normally. Follow the instructions in this video to make a bootable Linux USB. Use it to copy all important data easily.
Install Windows 7 to Replace Windows 8
Once you have successfully converted the partitions from GPT to UEFI, you’re ready to install Windows 7. Click here for instructions on how to install Windows 7 on your computer.
I Hope You Liked This Blog Article! If You Need Additional Support on This Issue Then Please Don’t Hesitate To Contact Me On Facebook.
Is Your PC Healthy?
I always recommend to my readers to regularly use a trusted registry cleaner and optimizer such as WinThruster or CCleaner. Many problems that you encounter can be attributed to a corrupt and bloated registry.
Happy Computing! 
Wally's Answer Rating
Summary: Every Windows Wally blog post is evaluated on these three criteria. The average of all three elements determines an "Overall Rating" for each blog post.
4
Overall Rating
About the Author
Wally PhillipsWindows Wally is a helpful guy. It’s just in his nature. It’s why he started a blog in the first place. He heard over and over how hard it was to find simple, plain-English solutions to Windows troubleshooting problems on the Internet. Enter: Windows Wally. Ask away, and he will answer.
