Downgrade rights for Windows software | Downgrade rights for Windows Server software
Downgrade rights are an end-user right, documented in the Software License Terms that customers accept upon first running Windows and Windows Server software. Thanks to downgrade rights, end users who have acquired a more recent version of the software (such as Windows 8 Pro or Windows Server 2012 Standard) can use a prior version of the software (such as Windows 7 Professional or Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard) until they are ready to move to the more recent version. If a product includes downgrade rights, the license terms for that product will indicate which prior versions of the software may be used.
The following OEM versions of Windows software are eligible for downgrade rights.
| Windows 8 |
Windows 7 |
|---|
Windows 8 Pro includes downgrade rights to: - Windows 7 Professional
- Windows Vista Business
|
Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate include downgrade rights to: - Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate
- Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, or Windows XP x64 Edition
Note Other OEM Windows 7 versions (for example, Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Premium) do not include downgrade rights. |
To downgrade Microsoft Windows 8 or Windows 7 software, customers must:
- Purchase a PC preinstalled with Windows software.
- Accept the End User Software License Terms.
- Perform the downgrade or authorize a third party to perform it on their behalf.
Follow these steps to downgrade to a previous version of Windows software:
- Obtain genuine Windows media and a corresponding product key for the version of Windows that is eligible for downgrade.
- The media should come from a prior legally licensed version from the OEM or retail channels.
- Qualified OEMs have the option to distribute downgrade media and product keys directly to end users, per end user request.
- End users who are licensed separately through Microsoft Volume Licensing (VL) may provide their VL media and key to a system builder to facilitate the downgrade on their own systems.
- Insert the downgrade-eligible version of Windows media in the CD drive and follow the installation instructions.
- Type the product key.
- If the software was previously activated, you will not be able to activate it online. In this case, the appropriate local Activation Support phone number will be displayed. Call the number and explain the circumstances. When it is determined that the end user has an eligible Windows license, the customer service representative will provide a single-use activation code to activate the software. Please note that Microsoft does not provide a full product key in this scenario.
- Activate the software.
See additional details and FAQ
Provided that certain requirements are met, end users may request that another party perform the downgrade on their behalf. The following document explains how to meet those requirements and what the process entails.
End User Downgrade Rights Facilitation Options .pdf 88 KB
Because downgrade rights apply to end users, they are not primarily designed for third-party facilitation, which has many complications. Also, such facilitation is not suitable for carrying out on a large scale.
The following OEM versions of Windows Server software are eligible for downgrade rights.
| Windows Server 2012 |
Windows Server 2008 R2 |
|---|
Windows Server 2012 Datacenter includes downgrade rights to any earlier version or lower edition.
Windows Server 2012 Standard includes downgrade rights to an earlier version of the following editions of the software:
- Windows Server Standard
- Windows Server Enterprise
- Windows Web Server
- Windows HPC Server
Windows Server 2012 Essentials includes downgrade rights to an earlier version of: - Windows Small Business Server Essentials
Windows Server 2012 Foundation includes downgrade rights to an earlier version of: - Windows Server Foundation
|
Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter includes downgrade rights to any earlier version or lower edition.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard includes downgrade rights to any earlier version.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise includes downgrade rights to any earlier version.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation includes downgrade rights to any earlier version. |
Steps to downgrade Windows Server software
To downgrade Microsoft Windows Server software customers must:
- Purchase a Server licensed with Windows Server software.
- Accept the Software License Terms.
- Perform the downgrade or authorize a third party to perform it on their behalf.
The downgrade process
Follow these steps to downgrade to a previous version of Windows Server software:
- Obtain genuine Windows Server media and a corresponding product key for the version of Windows Server that is eligible for downgrade.
- The media should come from a prior legally licensed version from the OEM or Retail channels.
- End users who are licensed separately through Microsoft Volume Licensing (VL) may provide their VL media and key to a system builder, reseller or a third party to facilitate the downgrade on their own systems.
- Install the downgrade-eligible version of Windows Server media in the CD drive. You may need to activate the software. In this case, the appropriate local Activation Support phone number will be displayed. Call the number and explain the circumstances if unable to activate.
Direct Downgrade Program
A program from Direct OEMs is available for ROK and preinstalled versions of Windows Server software to help end users obtain media and keys to exercise their downgrade rights. Review the program details if you have acquired ROK or a server with a licensed operating system from a Direct OEM (for example, HP, Dell, or IBM). Not all versions are available and not all OEM’s may participate in the program.
Learn more about the Direct Downgrade Program.
