How to downgrade Vista to XP
I went along to Microsoft’s Cardinal Place today to sit in with a few familar faces (you know who you are!) and listen to the team talk about a number of OEM topics such as Windows Server 2008, Office Ready PC, and combatting illegal licensing.
One of the Partners wanted to ask about an issue which I and the licensing team at work have been answering more often than not so I thought I would take the time to walk you through it. The question was about downgrading Vista to XP and here’s how you do it.
Remember, a license isn’t the physical disc; it’s the sticker which has the unique code to activate the software. Oh, and also, you can only downgrade Vista at the specific request of your customer; downgrade rights are an end-user right and are documented in the product End User License Agreement (EULA) and refer to the ability of your customer to acquire the most recent version of Microsoft software but continue to run a previous version until they are ready to upgrade.
You cannot uninstall a copy of OEM Windows Vista, but you can reinstall a previous operating system, which then replaces Windows Vista. To reinstall your old operating system, you must have the original installation disc (either the user has a copy or you could use your MAPs copy if you are a System Builder). Back up your programs and files, insert the installation disc into your computer, and then reinstall the old operating system. To regain the hard disk space used by Windows Vista, reformat the disk during the reinstallation process. After reinstalling your previous operating system, reinstall your programs and files.
When an end user is using their downgrade rights offered under the EULA in Windows Vista Business and Ultimate versions and they use both Windows XP media and a product key that was previously activated, they will be unable to activate online over the Internet, due to the hardware configuration change when installing on the Vista system. In these cases the end user will be prompted to call the Activation Support Line on 0800 018 8345 (UK) and explain their circumstances to the Customer Service Representative.
You will need to explain to them what you are doing so have the COA (Certificate of Authenticity) to hand. Once it is determined that the end user has a valid Vista Business or Ultimate license, the Customer Service Representative will help them activate their software.
What you are doing here is swapping your Vista key for an XP key. End users who downgrade may reinstall the original software when they are ready to migrate. For example, an end user who downgrades to Windows XP Professional may later return to Windows Vista Business software provided that the end user deletes the Windows XP Professional software from the PC. To do this, end users must use the original OEM system builder media that was included with the PC for reinstallation. The downgrade software must be deleted from the hard drive before the original software is reinstalled.
End users MUST use a legally licensed version of the specified previous version of the Windows desktop operating system to install the downgrade software. The downgrade software may be from the retail, OEM/System Builder, or volume licensing channels.
Other things to know about downgrading Vista.
OEM downgrade rights for desktop PC operating systems apply to Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate as stated in the license terms. Please note, OEM downgrade versions of Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate are limited to Wndows XP Professional (including Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP x64 edition). End users can use the following media for their downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided the end user has a Volume Licensing agreement), retail (FPP), or System Builder hologram CD (provided the software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License). Use of the downgraded operating system is governed by the Windows Vista Business License Terms, and the end user cannot use both the downgrade operating system and Windows Vista Busienss. There are no downgrade rights granted for Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Home Premium.
What about Windows Vista Enterprise? What can I downgrade to?
Downgrade rights in the Volume Licensing programs provide customers with the right to downgrade to any prior version of the same product. Windows Vista Enterprise is a new type of product and does not have a prior version. However, customers licensed for use of Windows Vista Enterprise are licensed for Windows Vista Business, and it can be downgraded to the Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows NT 4.0, Windows NT 3.51, Windows 98, or Windows 95 operating system. You would not, however, be able to downgrade to Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, or Microsoft Windows Millennium as those are different products and not considered previous version of Windows Vista Business.
Who can install the downgrade software or reinstall the original software?
A system builder, or the end user. Because downgrade rights are an end user right granted in the EULA, the end-user must first be able to accept the EULA associated with the software, so this software must be installed first before the downgrade software is installed.
To understand more about downgrade rights, check out this pdf.
Microsoft UK will be issuing an official black and white statement on this shortly (check out here for now) but this is my take on it. Hope it helps. Further reading on this also available on David Overton’s post.
My god, ive only just returned and you’ve blogged this thorny topic already, before ive even warmed me slippers!
It was really good meeting some fellow SBSC’ers there , and hope theres a few more meetings in the future.
next time, ill leave *far* more timebefore my train to chat though!
After Microsoft confirmed what I stood up and said I thought I would give a more detailed posting on it because I realise that we could have gone on more about just this subject!
There was some great chat after the event and hopefully I’ll see you there at the Westcoast Small Business Forum on the 29th November!
Looks like I need to catch up with the master plan! Putting a space for 29/11 in my diary as we speak!
There is one slight flaw in the method described. When you call 0800 018 8345 you get an automated response with no means of speaking with a live operator. I have tried this several times to no avail. Am I missing something here..?
Hi Mike,
I don’t have any other to hand unfortunately. Does anyone else have an alternative number where you can talk to a live operator? It may be that if you are Microsoft Partner that you contact the Ask Partner hotline on 0800 60 70 700 and they should be able to help you.
Let me know if that does/doesn’t work.
Susanne
Thanks for the number Suzanne. Unfortuanely I am not a Microsoft Partner. In the end I tried calling Microsoft’s Licencing on 0800 60 10 100 and ignore the first 3 options and in the second menu select option 3 for Business customers. I couldn’t get a direct number for the activation centre but was passed onto them. Eventually after spending an eternity on hold I spoke with a live operator. He requested the installation ID and only asked me to confirm what Operating System was present and whether it was pre-installed or purchased. I did not have to provide the Vista product key or certificate of authority number.
Anyway it’s activated now but Microsoft need to publicise the correct procedure for activating downgrades as their online service is not geared up to the task. Thanks for your assistance anyway.
Regards,
Mike
Thanks Mike for updating via the comments. You’re right, the correct procedure should be made clearer but I would guess that they aren’t keen on encouraging people to avoid using their new technology.
I found it tricky finding the exact information for the blog post so it only goes to show how difficult it is for many now.
If anyone else knows a better way to contact Microsoft then please let us know.
I would also suggest that feedback as to why you are downgrading Vista to XP should also be submitted to Microsoft so that the challenges you face can be addressed.
To follow up I have received the following email from Microsoft.
Hello Michael,
When you select Option 1, if you press the # or the * it will fast forward you through the system and take you to a technician, alternatively select option 2 to go through to the same team (even though it says Small Business and Terminal services team).
If you have any more questions please give us a call on 0870 60 10 100. Our lines are open Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm.
excellent!
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How do i downgrade my Vista Home Premium to Windows xp? Does this work in the same way as vista business.