| I didn't like Windows 8 on a new laptop purchase (Samsung NP365E5C-S02UB) and wanted to go back to Windows 7. Samsung doesn't even have a support or product page for the actual model (NP365E5C-S02UB, purchased from BestBuy) nor any Windows 7 support or drivers for similiar model numbers. Samsung's official support response is that only Windows 8 is available. To get BIOS updates you must use the Samsung SW Update utility, and it will download any needed driver updates for Windows 8.
I found drivers from trusted sources (chipset maker or another major vendor's website) since I don't trust those drivers sites that could have malware.
- You need a valid license for Windows 7
- You need a valid Windows 7 ISO 64-bit installer
- Look here - I recommend the Windows 7 Professional SP1-U ISO x64
- You might want to make a "Samsung Recovery Factory image" backup to a 32GB+ USB drive
You will need the following drivers (install in this order):
- AMD Chipset Drivers
- AMD Catalystâ„¢ Notebook Display Driver
- Skip the AMD Mobility Radeonâ„¢ Driver Verification Tool as it doesn't work
- Use Latest Beta Driver
- If you are happy with the AMD Chipset Drivers and don't need the extra Catalyst stuff then you may skip this especially since it takes forever to install
- Bluetooth Drivers
- Qualcomm Atheros AR3012 Bluetooth 4.0
- I have no good reference for the 4.0 drivers.
- Wireless - LAN - Atheros AR9485 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN Driver Lite care of HP.com
- I recommend using 7-zip to extract just the drivers inside the exe
- The Samsung NP305V5A-A04US drivers for Wireless LAN,ATHEROS (Driver) (ver.9.2.0.470) might work too
- Gigabit LAN - Realtek - Software: Drivers & Utilities - RTL8168
- Win7 and WinServer 2008 R2 Driver
- Realtek SD Card Reader - Software: Drivers & Utilities
- USB RTS5139/RTS5129/RTS5179 card reader driver for XP/Win7/Win8
Helpful pointers from WINDOWS 8 TO WINDOWS 7 (via tomshardware forum)
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