HP doesn’t recommend downgrading on its consumer products

Nov 9, 2012 07:32 GMT  ·  By

HP is really keen to convince users that Windows 8 deserves a chance, so the company won’t allow those who purchase a computer running Microsoft’s latest operating system to switch back to Windows 7.

Basically, Windows 8 users can downgrade to Windows 7 if they’re not satisfied with the latest Microsoft operating system, but this won’t be possible on HP’s consumer desktop and notebook products.

Only business-based desktops and laptops are going to allow downgrading, otherwise the company may not provide support at all to customers who request it.

PCWorld writes that HP’s support pages have been updated to inform users that buying a Windows 8 computer basically “forces” them to stick to this operating system flavor.

“Windows 7 will not be supported on these new platforms, and no drivers, apps, or Windows 7 content will be available through HP,” as mentioned on the new support pages.

“If users choose to downgrade their HP consumer desktop or notebook system, HP will continue to support the hardware but if there is an issue where HP diagnostics are required OR it is determined that the loaded software or upgrade operating system is causing the issue, HP may suggest returning the system to the original Windows 8 OS that shipped with the computer.”

On the other hand, HP still plans to offer Windows 7 computers to business users, just like some other hardware manufacturers on the market.

Dell, for example, will offer Windows 7 as an alternative to business and gaming customers choosing the company’s Alienware laptops.

“We're still moving our business customers from [Windows] XP to Windows 7. The OS migration for a large company is no small feat. We make it easier but it takes some planning and work. For Alienware customers, they know what they want and we give them that choice,” Alison Gardner, director at Dell, said last month.