Only Windows 8.1 Pro has Downgrade rights to Windows 7 Professional. Also you would need a Dell Branded Windows 7 Professional Reinstallation DVD to execute the Downgrade rights.

This system likely came with Windows 8.1 so no downgrade rights. However take the free upgrade to Windows 10 TH2 which has fixed most of the hassles with the Metro user interface of Windows 8.

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-10-oem-and-retail-iso/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycGr3MBcAnw&list=PL1RkaknDn7v-Ucth4gt0U3BHVSY7oNkWr&index=5

Hello natukuc4,

I'm starting to get confused on what you have mentioned regarding "This system likely came with Windows 8.1 so no downgrade rights."

Does it mean I am not allowed to downgrade the OS, even so I have the Windows 7 Professional Reinstallation DVD?

Anyways she doesn't want Win X, so thanks for that suggestion.

I just need to confirm if this notebook PC is possible to be downgraded.

She can use Win 8.1 in desktop mode only and not visit the Metro Start Page. The Desktop mode is virtually the same as Win 7.

Hello KirkD,

She really wants me to use Win 7 as I have seen that there are available drivers for this notebook PC

Link: www.dell.com/.../drivers

Do you think that is okay to use Win 7 for this notebook PC??

Hello natukuc4, I'm starting to get confused on what you have mentioned regarding "This system likely came with Windows 8.1 so no downgrade rights." Does it mean I am not allowed to downgrade the OS, even so I have the Windows 7 Professional Reinstallation DVD? Anyways she doesn't want Win X, so thanks for that suggestion. I just need to confirm if this notebook PC is possible to be downgraded.

It means you have to pay full retail price for a license. Windows 10 TH2 will be the best option.

Hi natukuc4,

Why should I use Windows 10 TH2?

As my mom is insisting me to install only Windows 7

I just want to know if that is possible.

I know that you are trying to help us but I am not getting the best answer to my questions.

Sorry about that

As per my question can I install and run smoothly Windows 7 to this type of PC?

Thanks in advance

Good answer beamermt79

Few more questions if it's okay

Have you tried this on this laptop?

Any tutorial or guide to be followed when installing Win 7 OS to this laptop?

Since this laptop has no optical drive

Is there any guide on how to make a bootable drive?

Or do I need to use external optical drive which suits my best option?

Thanks for your help

As long as you have a windows 7 disc and key, you can install windows 7 onto your laptop.  You will need to first download the drivers from here: www.dell.com/.../drivers

I will be honest I have not tried downgrading on this laptop as I do not own it :-(, however because Dell supplies windows 7 drivers It would be safe to assume that windows 7 is supported.  As for the optical drive issue, if your windows 7 copy is on Disc you can copy that to a USB flash drive (must make it bootable) and install it that way.  Or if you have an external dvd drive you can use that as it would be easier.  If you choose to do the USB flash drive option, google make usb bootable flash drive windows 7 and there will be tons of step by step guides.  

Hi beamermt79,

That's what I thought too, since the Win 7 drivers are available in their website

It might work to downgrade the OS of this laptop

Also the reason why I am here in this forum is to clarify and confirm if this would work first before moving forward in downgrading the OS

Thanks for the help and cheers!

Dell have released Windows 7 drivers for this model so it should work. However as far as I know they don't actually sell it to customers with Windows 7.

Windows 10 TH2 will be a lot more secure than Windows 7 as technologies like SecureBoot are supported. The User Interface of Windows 10 TH2 is similar to Windows 7 and it doesn't have the annoyance of opening Apps in full screen like in Windows 8.1.

I think your Mum will get more used to Windows 10 TH2 faster than the time it will take you to install and patch Windows 7 (>200 updates). Then again she might update it to Windows 10 TH2 by mistake anyway.... Apparently Microsoft are getting more aggressive at forcing Windows 10 and the Windows 10 Upgrade assistant is automatically popping up as follows...

I also think its a waste of money to waste two OS licenses on one computer unless the computer is mission critical and there is software that's not compatible with Windows 10.

If you have the license and installation DVD you'll need to make a Bootable USB with USB 3.0 support. You'll also need to disable SecureBoot and Enable Legacy Roms. See my tutorial video here for details:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg8Oebhc3EI&feature=youtu.be

Hi theflash1932,

Thanks for saying that this laptop will run Win 7 perfectly fine

Hopefully that would work

Thank you

Hi natakuc4!

Thank you for providing this tutorial! This will really help me a lot.

I'll follow this tutorial in changing the OS of this laptop

Thank you very much for your help!

One more thing

Is it possible to create a recovery backup outside the hard disk of this laptop?

Let's say to an external hd?

JUST TO BE CLEAR ... this laptop WILL run Windows 7 just fine, BUT you must PAY for a Windows 7 license, as the Windows 8 license does NOT allow you to downgrade like the Pro version does. You might have a Windows installation disc, but the license terms for the systems and software that you have require you to purchase Windows 7 for what you are wanting to do. Die-hard Windows 7 users must either plan ahead (purchase the system with the proper OS and/or licensing) or fork over the cash for what they need (or want).

Hi theflash1932, Thanks for saying that this laptop will run Win 7 perfectly fine Hopefully that would work Thank you

You seem to be ignoring the second and equally important part of theflash1932's post.

You must BUY a Windows 7 license.  What you are proposing to do is illegal.