Is it possible to install Win-7 on a Win-11 Workstation ?

Hi,

I bought a Dell T-5820 workstation 3 years ago & have not used it at all.

Specs are :
Intel Xeon Processor W-2235 (6C 3.8GHz 4.6GHz Turbo HT 8.25MB 130W DDR4-2933)

Dual Nvidia T1000, 4GB graphics cards to run 8 monitors

2 x M.2 512GB PCIe NVMe SSDs

2 x 3.5" 4TB 7200rpm HDDs

16GB 2x8GB DDR4 2933MHz RDIMM ECC Memory

Windows 11 Pro for Workstations

I hate Win-11 & my old software would not work on it.
I am used to Win-7 on an old Dell T-7500 workstation which
is now giving problems.

So is it possible to install Win-7 on this machine ?

Dell says :

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-in/drivers/supportedos/precision-5820-workstation

Thank You.

Yes you can install on that computer but support for Windows 7 ended so it's risky move make sure you have good AV.

Should be able to use Win7 on the Xeon, I have Win10 on a Xeon E3-1220 V2 machine, Dell Precision T1650. Older drivers may be an issue. Don't know if one can still activate Win8.1 and earlier but if never online shouldn't hurt.

As long as you can find Windows 7 drivers for the hardware or force Windows 10 drivers manually from Device Manager (it might work, haven't tried), then why not. Install drivers in that order for maximum compatibility: Chipset, storage controller, graphics, all the rest. It's important to start from the chipset because every other device depends on that. I have seen many BSOD in earlier Windows versions when attempting to install the chipset drivers after other drivers, because you either reset all configuration or because some devices are replaced with others. Start with the chipset, then the storage controller and then whatever else. I see Dell doesn't provide drivers for Windows 7 64-bit, so you have to use Speccy or Aida64 and identify the exact model of each individual device. Then go at manufacturer's site (Intel etc) and download the Windows 7 driver (if any) from there.

sean said:

So is it possible to install Win-7 on this machine ?

Dell says :

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-in/drivers/supportedos/precision-5820-workstation

Click to expand...

You Dell links says 'yes' for Windows 7, 64-bit....

FreeBooter said:

Yes you can install on that computer but support for Windows 7 ended so it's risky move make sure you have good AV.

Click to expand...

Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows 7 still gets AV definitions/engine update to this day, same ones as Defender in Win11 gets.

Bree said:

I have a Windows 7 laptop and its MSE is still getting all the latest virus definitions and engine updates. The scan engine and definitions have the same version numbers as my W10 and W11 machines.

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Recently the AV update stopped appearing in Windows 7's Windows Update, but applying Easyfix51044 allows MSE to continue checking for and downloading updates.
See: Microsoft Security Essentials Acting Strange - Windows 7 Help Forums post #22

MS have removed the MSE download page, but you can still download it from the archived page in the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. There are two downloads available, the larger one is for 64 bit Win7, the smaller for 32 bit.

If you have ESU (Extended Security Updates) enabled, it installs new version of Microsoft Security Essentials which continues to receive definition updates, last one was yesterday. If you can manually download and install the latest version of MSE you should be good to go.

I am very grateful for everyone's contribution but not being a techie, I am afraid I might screw up a brand new system.

I will have to find another way like buying a refurbished older Dell T-7810 with Win-7 installed on it.

Many Thanks.

spapakons said:

If you have ESU (Extended Security Updates) enabled, it installs new version of Microsoft Security Essentials which continues to receive definition updates, last one was yesterday. If you can manually download and install the latest version of MSE you should be good to go.

Click to expand...

I've never had ESU, but I can confirm that even without ESU MSE still gets definition updates. The last one was 7 hours ago.

sean said:

I am very grateful for everyone's contribution but not being a techie, I am afraid I might screw up a brand new system.

I will have to find another way like buying a refurbished older Dell T-7810 with Win-7 installed on it.

Many Thanks.

Click to expand...

Don't worry. Just backup the whole disk before trying anything, so if you damage Windows you can restore. It is much simpler to remove the original disk and install Windows 7 in a new disk. Press F2 (or DEL) to enter BIOS. See at the Boot section. If there is a Legacy mode (aka CSM), enable it so you can install Windows 7 in Legacy mode, as in an old computer. It is possible to install in the newer UEFI mode, but it is a little more advanced to prepare the USB flash drive. Also set the disk in AHCI or even IDE mode if available to maximize compatibility. Disable any advanced feature that might confuse Windows 7 such as Virtualization etc. If you have the Windows 7 DVD you can connect an external USB DVD device to install it from there. Or you can download Rufus to prepare the USB flash drive. In rufus you open the Windows 7 ISO and then you set MBR (Legacy BIOS aka CSM). If you don't see this option press ALT+A to enable it. After you prepare the USB flash drive, connect it on the Dell, power it on and press F12 to see the Boot menu. Use the arrow keys to select the USB and proceed to install Windows. It is a good idea to include all the drivers in a folder in the USB flash drive, so in case the network is not working, you can install them from the USB. After installation install the chipset driver first and then restart. Let Windows find any drivers. then proceed with installing the SATA controller driver and then the graphics drivers. Then install the remaining drivers. Don't forget to install all Windows Updates to improve compatibility and security. Download the Windows 10 64-bit drivers. The Intel Chipset drivers should wok in Windows 7. Then have a look in Device Manager which devices are missing and right-click on each and select update drivers. Then select the second option (manual installation), and again the second option (select from a list). Browse to the folder where you extracted the driver files. You can use WinRAR, 7zip or similar to extract the files from the EXE installer.

If you have a local PC repair shop or can find a Windows expert, they can easily install W7 on this DELL. All the original W7 drivers are provided on the support page and any W7-savvy person can do it. They probably would have an updated copy of the install ISO to make the process go faster.

Hi,

0patch support windows 7 with

Windows 7 post-EOS and post-ESU patches

A note: one thing with Dell and their support is to have the Service Tag at hand to be entered where needed. Sometimes the Express Service Code is needed if the computer was purchased just a bit different from the catalog description. Both are on a sticker somewhere on the case and may also be in the BIOS or with a Notebook could be in the battery compartment.

There are Windows 7 64-bit drivers for this model. They are at the bottom of the list and hadn't noticed:


Even better. Just enable CSM in BIOS and configure the storage controller to AHCI mode (or IDE mode if available). disable Secure Boot and TPM and then install Windows 7 as you would on any other computer. Install the chipset driver first and then proceed. See my previous posts.

PS: I see there are more driver downloads for Windows 10 64-bit. Install all the Windows 7 drivers first and if you need more change the selection to Windows 10 64-bit and download the rest. Try running the installer. If you see any warning that you need Windows 10 or 11, use WinRAR to extract all the driver files in a folder and then manually force the driver from Device Manager.

sean said:

I bought a Dell T-5820 workstation 3 years ago... is it possible to install Win-7 on this machine ?

Click to expand...

The Heidoc Windows and Office ISO Downloader can generate a link to download the Windows 7 Dell factory reset ISO for that machine direct from Dell. That will of course include all the correct Dell drivers.

Wasn't aware of this tool. Downloading and adding to my utility collection. Thanks.

If you install Win 7, use Simplix for the updates

I'm not sure how much you plan to actually do with Windows 7 on that machine, but especially if you are only using it fairly lightly then you might want to consider installing Win 7 as a virtual machine within Windows 7.

The point is simply that you have options.

Megahertz said:

If you install Win 7, use Simplix for the updates

Single file with all updates - Simplix - Windows 7 Help Forums

My suggestion is to set Services - Windows Update - Manual and on WU page set it to Never check. Then run UpdatePack7R2 to download an up to date Simplix file. Simplix is a single file (880MB) that co

www.sevenforums.com

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Once I tried to update Windows 7 using Simplix and it installed some updates. But then something went totally wrong and I couldn't boot after restart! I had to use System Restore to go back to a restore point before using Simplix to recover. Thankfully it worked, otherwise I might had to reinstall WIndows 7. So use it with caution. I don't say it never works, but I share my experience to warn you it is not perfect. Maybe you have to install a few updates at a time and restart. I tried to install them all in one go.

spapakons said:

Once I tried to update Windows 7 using Simplix and it installed some updates. But then something went totally wrong and I couldn't boot after restart! I had to use System Restore to go back to a restore point before using Simplix to recover. Thankfully it worked, otherwise I might had to reinstall WIndows 7. So use it with caution. I don't say it never works, but I share my experience to warn you it is not perfect. Maybe you have to install a few updates at a time and restart. I tried to install them all in one go.

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I've been a supporter on Sevenforums for years and created the thread. You're the first one to have a problem with Simplix.

It might be a bad time or just a coincidence, but I would rather share my experience and have others prepared for Murphy's Law.