FantasyAcquiesce Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Hello, Google hasn't been my friend today and I've been trying to install Windows 7 on a 7th gen intel CPU laptop. I am attempting to install Windows 7 over 10 for the purpose of performance due to lacking an SSD. Are there any drivers available for the matter? Thank you for your time.
mjd79 Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Windows 7's standard AHCI drivers support even the latest laptop and desktop motherboards. I'm assuming you have a problem with a no driver error in the installer, in which case you need to integrate the USB 3.0 drivers
FantasyAcquiesce Posted February 9 Author Posted February 9 4 hours ago, mjd79 said: Windows 7's standard AHCI drivers support even the latest laptop and desktop motherboards. I'm assuming you have a problem with a no driver error in the installer, in which case you need to integrate the USB 3.0 drivers That's not the case with my 7th gen laptop. I get the prompt that I need a driver, but the installation does not see the USB flash drive plugged in and the laptop lacks a CD drive for an easy workaround.
D.Draker Posted February 9 Posted February 9 16 hours ago, FantasyAcquiesce said: the installation does not see the USB flash drive plugged in and the laptop lacks a CD drive for an easy workaround It will never see the USB with Win7, all is very simple, Win7 doesn't have USB 3.0 drivers, so you need to integrate them first into the ISO. I remember it was done with Gigabyte tool, back in the day. 2
D.Draker Posted February 9 Posted February 9 My memory isn't that sharp regarding the subject, I did it about 10 years ago. Here's how they do it these days, fresh article. "How to Inject USB 3.0 Driver into Windows 7 Install Media" https://woshub.com/adding-usb-3-0-controller-drivers-to-windows-7-install-media/ 3
mjd79 Posted February 9 Posted February 9 (edited) The easiest way for a “regular” user is to use, for example, NTlite trial version or, unfortunately, the undeveloped but free WinToolKit 1.7. Integrate drivers for both items in boot.wim and the selected edition in install.wim. As for the drivers themselves, these should work for example (I successfully installed Windows 7 on a ThinkPad X270 with a 7th generation processor using them) https://download.gigabyte.com/FileList/Driver/mb_driver_intel_usb3_200series_w7.zip Edited February 9 by mjd79
D.Draker Posted February 9 Posted February 9 12 hours ago, mjd79 said: https://download.gigabyte.com/FileList/Driver/mb_driver_intel_usb3_200series_w7.zip Yes, it's the tool I used about a decade ago, thanks for the right link, I can confirm it works the easiest way, even for beginners. 3
D.Draker Posted February 9 Posted February 9 12 hours ago, mjd79 said: NTlite No matter how many times I tried, I couldn't achieve a good result with it, @NotHereToPlayGames recommended WinReducer, but I don';t know whether it works with 7, sorry. And NTlite is simply awful, in my humble opinion. 3
FantasyAcquiesce Posted February 10 Author Posted February 10 (edited) Figured it out on my own. Get these drivers and integrate with NLite: https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/modded-intel-ahci-and-raid-drivers-digitally-signed/19691 Now I just need to figure out my next problem: how to scale Windows 7 lower than 100%. My AIO PC gives uncomfortably large task bars and windows. It takes away how much space I can actually use the PC. Edited February 10 by FantasyAcquiesce
mjd79 Posted February 10 Posted February 10 https://superuser.com/questions/80151/how-to-setup-custom-dpi-below-100-on-windows-7
Saxon Posted February 11 Posted February 11 On 2/9/2025 at 6:44 AM, mjd79 said: The easiest way for a “regular” user is to use, for example, NTlite trial version or, unfortunately, the undeveloped but free WinToolKit 1.7. Integrate drivers for both items in boot.wim and the selected edition in install.wim. As for the drivers themselves, these should work for example (I successfully installed Windows 7 on a ThinkPad X270 with a 7th generation processor using them) https://download.gigabyte.com/FileList/Driver/mb_driver_intel_usb3_200series_w7.zip The link is only to the driver itself, but the programme is missing. It's called Gigabyte USB 3.0 driver injection tool. https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/es7ia9/windows_7_usb_keyboard_and_mouse_not_working/
D.Draker Posted February 11 Posted February 11 On 2/9/2025 at 7:44 AM, mjd79 said: The easiest way for a “regular” user is to use, for example, NTlite trial version or, unfortunately, the undeveloped but free WinToolKit 1.7. Integrate drivers for both items in boot.wim and the selected edition in install.wim. As for the drivers themselves, these should work for example (I successfully installed Windows 7 on a ThinkPad X270 with a 7th generation processor using them) https://download.gigabyte.com/FileList/Driver/mb_driver_intel_usb3_200series_w7.zip Saxon is right, you didn't give any links to the tool itself, but probably because they removed it, here it is. https://www.mediafire.com/file/b4vxpuw136x6qsf/WindowsImageTool.7z/file 1
D.Draker Posted February 11 Posted February 11 They also say it could be done with another method with Samsung tool. https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/gigabyte-windows-7-usb-installation-tool.249384/ 1
mjd79 Posted February 11 Posted February 11 (edited) You guys misunderstood me lol. I only gave a link to the drivers, and above I wrote about the integration tools. But you are right that it is best to use the Gigabyte tool. Edited February 11 by mjd79
Saxon Posted February 11 Posted February 11 11 hours ago, mjd79 said: You guys misunderstood me lol. I only gave a link to the drivers, and above I wrote about the integration tools. But you are right that it is best to use the Gigabyte tool. No, we understood you very well, but what good of those Gigabyte drivers would be without their official integration tool? And NTlite is a paid soft, whereas Gigabyte is free and very simple.
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