Windows 7 on Z590 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.0)
Windows 7 on Z590 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.0)
Hello, I understand you have several Windows 7 programs running and no intention to upgrade. You're currently using two machines, which is fine. Can you try installing Windows 7 on your newer motherboard? If that works, you might be able to retire the second PC. I’m open to doing it manually if needed, but having everything ready would be ideal. You mentioned you’d like generic drivers for things like built-in Wi-Fi, assuming they were compatible with older boards.
Windows 7 here’s a bit of advice—someone mentioned using Linux as a host OS and running Windows 7 in a VM. This way, drivers stay manageable. Just assign all resources and route everything through the VM. You’ll get extra perks like simple VM backups, storing your main data on the host OS, plus additional layers such as external HDD or cloud storage. If you go further, backing up to an external drive or the cloud adds more security. Windows 10 has its issues too—like bloatware and confusing settings. Linux keeps supporting hardware longer, even after updates. Check out Puppy Linux or a lightweight distro for older machines; it handles ASAP CPUs like Athlon 64. Linux takes some getting used to, mostly via the terminal, and picking a distro can be tricky. I’d recommend Linux Mint if you’re new, but there are many options to explore.
You can use the VM to locate all your drivers and then switch Windows 7 as your primary operating system. Having two drives might assist with the process.