Comments on: How to downgrade Vista to XP

By: stuart

stuart — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:28:55 +0000

How do i downgrade my Vista Home Premium to Windows xp? Does this work in the same way as vista business.

By: Clearing out my desk : How to sell/ Why buy Vista | UK SMB Girl

Clearing out my desk : How to sell/ Why buy Vista | UK SMB Girl — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:31:25 +0000

[…] how many were downgraded to Windows XP? Posted in Marketing, Microsoft, Vista RSS 2.0 | Trackback | […]

By: Do you downgrade Vista to XP? | UK SMB Girl

Do you downgrade Vista to XP? | UK SMB Girl — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:32:50 +0000

[…] a recent post of mine was made in response to Partner interest at a recent Microsoft OEM Roadshow, there have […]

By: Windows XP SP3 | UK SMB Girl

Windows XP SP3 | UK SMB Girl — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:26:00 +0000

[…] Downgrading Vista to XP […]

By: Susanne Dansey

Susanne Dansey — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:23:32 +0000

excellent!

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:24:21 +0000

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.

By: Susanne Dansey

Susanne Dansey — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:07:10 +0000

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.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:02:42 +0000

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

By: Susanne Dansey

Susanne Dansey — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:13:20 +0000

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

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:17:14 +0000

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..?

By: chris

chris — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:05:43 +0000

Looks like I need to catch up with the master plan! Putting a space for 29/11 in my diary as we speak!

By: Susanne Dansey

Susanne Dansey — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:54:05 +0000

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!

By: chris

chris — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:39:47 +0000

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!