Installing Windows 7 To Windows 10 Laptop.

I have two Windows 10 laptops and I am trying to download one of them to Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bits. The installation disk is bootable. The laptop is a Dell Inspiron P58F.

When I attempted to install the Windows 7 disk I got a error message: A required CD/DVD driver is missing. I thought it would be best to clean the drive and start fresh. I used Darik's Boot an Nuke 2.3.0. I used this in the past with great results. The dban loaded properly but failed in the last step. There is only one choice which was selected and pressing F10 did not start the wipe. I changed the PRNG and Method to all available choices with no luck. It looks to me that Windows 10 is not compatible.

If this is true, is there another software or update that will clean the drive?

Red

 

If this laptop is running UEFI you will need to reset it to Legacy boot and disable Secure Boot before you can run anything other than Win 10, including boot disks such as Boot 'n Nuke.. What model is it?

 

Sorry Earthling, the W7 x 64 is o.k-(I have it installed both ways, on different disks on same laptop.
Just need to change it in the bios.
What I did find was few niggles getting right .. Also , when trying a re-install I had to Tinker with it to get it going.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/askcore/installing-windows-7-on-uefi-based-computer

 

The UEFI is reset to Legacy boot. I needed to change the boot sequence when the boot sequence couldn't be changed in Secure boot.

The model number of dban is 2.3.0. as stated in Reply #1.

 

Thanks. Good to hear you already understand and have addressed the UEFI implications. I can't help with dban as I've never needed to use it.

 

Thank you Baklogic for your link. I'll try once more to install W7 with the help from your link. I hope I can get it to work.

Red

 

Hair of red, You may have to fiddle about to find some drivers, as a lot of Windows 10 laptops/pc's have some problems going backwards with drivers- and they can be a pain- you might need some patience- Iobit Driver booster may help, if you cannot find anything on Dell site
https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/driver_booster_beta.html (free version works well)

 

You are THE TINKERER. My tinkering didn't work out. Sorry.

 

Don't give up, too soon- Look at plodr,s link, and try your luck- not that easy for a novice, but you might succeed.
Integrating stuff can take time, but sometimes persistent Tinkering gets there in the end.

-
Worth trying anything, if you really want to downgrade to W7 - Just remember that support is on its way out

 

Thank you Earthling,baklogic and plodr for your help. You and other moderators have helped me in the past and I am great-full for all that you have done for me. I had problems trying to transfer ISO images using Rufus and failed miserably. I'm not knowledgable enough to go through that again. I hate to call it quits, but I must.

Red