OEM customers will need media and a product key to run a previous version. There are several options to obtain them.
From a previous license. Customers may use media and/or a product key from a previous license in order to install, activate and run an earlier version of the product. The product key and media must match. If the product key being used has already been activated, the customer may not be able to activate over the internet. In these cases, the customer will be prompted to call the Activation Support Line and explain their circumstances to the Customer Service Representative. Once it is determined that the end user has a valid Windows Server license the Customer Service Representative will help them activate their software. For more information on Product Activation Call Centers go to http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/vol/numbers.mspx. Some OEMs have pre-activated their software. In these cases, a customer would not need to activate over the internet or via the phone.
From an OEM. Beginning in late December 2008 through December 31, 2009, some OEMs may support fulfilling Windows Server 2003 R2 downgrades (includes Windows Server 2003 Web Edition, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems, and Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based Systems) to their customers. There are several options available. Contact your OEM to determine if it supports downgrade fulfillment. Please note that downgrade media is not a new license for Windows Server. It only enables a customer to install, activate and run an earlier version of Windows Server under a Windows Server 2008 license.
With a new server. OEMs may offer their customers an option to have Windows Server 2003 R2 preinstalled in place of Windows Server 2008 or to have a copy of Windows Server 2003 R2 recovery media included with the server.
After the purchase of a new server. OEMs may offer their existing Windows Server 2008 customers one copy of downgrade Windows Server 2003 R2 media if their customer requests it.
Some OEMs have pre-activated their software. In these cases, a customer would not need a product key or to activate over the internet or via the phone.
For Windows Server 2008 R2 downgrade requests, end customers should fulfill downgrade requests through the Windows Server Downgrade Fulfillment site.
Downgrade Media Kit. Customers who do not have media or a product key from a previous license and are unable to obtain one from their OEM, may order a downgrade media kit of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2003 R2 from the Windows Server Fulfillment website. The downgrade media kit will contain a copy of Windows Server and a corresponding product key that the end user may run under a valid Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2008 license. The downgrade media kit is not a new license for Windows Server. The media kit is a retail version of the software and may not be supported by your server manufacturer. The customer should contact the OEM from which the server was purchased for its support policy when installing this downgrade version of the software on server hardware. To order from the Windows Server Fulfillment website, a customer will need the product key from their Windows Server 2008 license which can be found on their Certificate of Authenticity (COA). For more information on COAs, please go to www.howtotell.com. The following versions are available:
Note: Customers will need to supply their own media and product keys for versions earlier than Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems, Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based Systems, and Windows Server 2003 Web Edition.
Down-edition Media Kit. Windows Server 2008 R2 customers also have to right to down-edition – please refer to the End User License Terms for details. The customer can order a down-edition media kit also through the Windows Server Fulfillment website. The down-edition media kit will contain a DVD/CD of Windows Server 2008 R2 and a product key that the end user may run under a valid Windows Server 2008 R2 license. The down-edition media kit is not a new license for Windows Server. To order from the Windows Server Fulfillment website, a customer will need the product key from their Windows Server 2008 R2 license. The following down-edition versions are available:
*These editions are only available for OEM and VL customers.
Note: Down-edition kits are only available for Windows Server 2008 R2 customers.
