New PC has Windows 8 pre-installed & Dont Want It

NomNom said:
How so? You need to disable UEFI in the BIOS for it to pick up the Windows XP Disc.
Click to expand...

+1

On boot up access your Bios. Under your Boot section choose to disable UEFI and secure boot. In most instances secure boot will be disabled automatically when you disable UEFI. Choose your DVD Rom / Writer as first boot device and restart with your XP CD.
 
Bandicoot said:
But I want to install XP or something else.

Can I or am I now stuck with buying Windows 8???

My question is actually, can and will it let me install anything but Windows 8 software???

Thanks
Click to expand...

Windows 8 is better. Just get used to it.
 
NomNom said:
How so? You need to disable UEFI in the BIOS for it to pick up the Windows XP Disc.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing the windows installer detects a later version of windows already installed and tells the user to **** off.
In that case you would need to [-]format the hard drive[/-] somehow erase the currently installed windows from the laptop to get rid of windows 8 before trying to install xp.
 
Mouse said:
I'm guessing the windows installer detects a later version of windows already installed and tells the user to **** off.
In that case you would need to [-]format the hard drive[/-] somehow erase the currently installed windows from the laptop to get rid of windows 8 before trying to install xp.
Click to expand...

Not at all, the reason I think OP says that it won't install it is because he must have UEFI and secure boot enabled in his BIOS, you MUST disable these features in your BIOS to install an operating system.
 
NomNom said:
Not at all, the reason I think OP says that it won't install it is because he must have UEFI and secure boot enabled in his BIOS, you MUST disable these features in your BIOS to install an operating system.
Click to expand...

Perhaps even both, OP might find the version problem after getting past the UEFI problem.
 
If it's a recent model laptop I wouldn't count on finding drivers for everything for XP.
 
OMG! My mother got a notebook with Win8 on... when operating in desktop to get the side-start-bar-thing to go to control panel open is such a hassle.
 
Last edited:
Rickster said:
-Download Retail Windows (It is legal because you essentially bought windows 8 OEM) PM for links
-Burn ISO to DVD
-Insert DVD
-Format
-Install
-Enjoy
Click to expand...

Depends if it has Windows 8 Pro or not. Its illegal to downgrade from Home or other. You can read all about it over at Microsoft

As for Linux for desktop use, its kinda a mix bag. In some cases it might work out fine, like giving it to a gran that just use Facebook and email but the moment you start playing games or do other crap you gonna meet the console and ages on forums hell they do not even support the rat.

Example: I installed Linux for a friend to use on her old PC to get her mail and Facebook. All seemed fine till she started getting PDF invoices via Email that only had instructions for windows users.

Hell, personally I even Dualboot, Windows at night for gaming and Mint for during day work.

As for the stat numbers quoted, Android is running on Linux and is way higher than 1.25% so it has its place, just not on a home desktop.

To OP, just install classic shell. Save you time/money and grief. Its even included in http://ninite.com/ so you can just install it on a new PC with all your usual apps.
 
Last edited:
saor said:
@Bandicoot: Have you used Windows 8 yet? Maybe give it a go and see if you like it. After using it for some time now I don't really want them to bring the start menu back, and it's been the fastest & most stable Windows o/s I've used so far.
Click to expand...

I agree with you fully on that hey, i was at first a bit IFFY with Win8, but then i started using it, tweaking and playing around with it, and i must admit, i actually enjoy it better than 7, so im staying...
 
supersunbird said:
OMG! My mother got a notebook with Win8 on... when operating in desktop to get the side-start-bar-thing to go to control panel open is such a hassle.
Click to expand...

Pin control panel to task bar, one second bam control panel open. Sounds like a long time to get control open to me. Geez one click.

Xp my gosh you want to go from windows 7/8 to xp? you must be high :D. xp won't be supported for good reason. Time to move into 2013. Windows 8 really isn't that bad and classic shell you are basically running windows 7. What is the issue?
 
killadoob said:
Pin control panel to task bar, one second bam control panel open. Sounds like a long time to get control open to me. Geez one click.

Xp my gosh you want to go from windows 7/8 to xp? you must be high :D. xp won't be supported for good reason. Time to move into 2013. Windows 8 really isn't that bad and classic shell you are basically running windows 7. What is the issue?
Click to expand...

I dont want to go to back to XP... never said that, though it had a nice clean layout that I miss.

How must I know how to pin it if I have never used Win8? You didn't even tell me how, thanks though.

You know what the issue is? I want a Start menu, so that my taskbar is reserved for items I have open and am working on/with. And when I want to open stuff I use often find it there in the start menu, pinned to Start menu...

Will get a Start menu program...
 
I have 20 pinned items, do most people need more than that i wonder? Got control panel pinned, apps, games etc all a click away.
 
killadoob said:
I have 20 pinned items, do most people need more than that i wonder? Got control panel pinned, apps, games etc all a click away.
Click to expand...

How do you think my mothers 15.6" laptop taskbar will look with all my support crap like control panel on?

I will only pin what she uses to taskbar and I want to be able to access support related stuff easily enough but not have it showing all the time. As said, I will get something that enables a proper start menu. I dont want to see any of this Metro crap again.
 
killadoob said:
I have 20 pinned items, do most people need more than that i wonder? Got control panel pinned, apps, games etc all a click away.
Click to expand...

That sounds truely horrible. I like a clean desktop.
 
biometrics said:
That sounds truly horrible. I like a clean desktop.
Click to expand...

My desktop is entirely clear. What makes you think i have 20 icons on my desktop? Pinned to taskbar that i hide. Unless you don't like anything on your taskbar either and classify that as your desktop, then you can hide it though so i think we are not on the same page :D

I barely even know about metro apart from start up when i click desktop, from there i don't need anything else. It's like having windows 7 :D.
 
Pin control panel to task bar, one second bam control panel open.
Click to expand...
Or learn the keyboard shortcut. Surely if OS X users can manage to learn some, so can Windows users.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X