Purchase windows 8 upgrades through volume licensing vl with software assurance. Windows 8 pro oem downgrade to windows 7 pro via software assurance. Windows 7 professional and windows 7 ultimate customers have downgrade rights to windows vista business, windows vista ultimate, or windows xp professional. Windows 10 enterprise e3 in csp windows deployment. Downgrade rights for microsoft volume licensing, oem, and fpp. Downgrade rights in volume licensing agreements provide you with the right to downgrade to any prior version of the same product. Licenses enrolled in software assurance downgrade rights are granted in connection with all applications software licenses acquired through volume licensing, fpp, and oem and enrolled in software assurance coverage. License downgrade discus and support license downgrade in windows 10 updates and activation to solve the problem. Microsoft will allow downgrades from windows 8 to windows 7, vista. Once youve determined that your purchase vehicle supports a downgrade, you need to ensure that you downgrade from like editions. Deployment and use of this software is subject to the geographic distribution restrictions. When purchased through a when windows 8 pro is purchased through oem, sa can be added within 90 days. Microsoft will allow downgrades from windows 8 to windows.
Sep 03, 2012 hi jay in case you hadnt discovered the answer elsewhere, see question 4 in the september update to the downgrade rights brief. Sep 03, 2012 microsoft will allow users of windows 8 pro to downgrade their new pcs to windows 7 or even vista, according to the operating systems licensing agreement. For windows 10 pro licenses acquired though an oem, you may downgrade to windows 8. The following oem versions of windows software are eligible for downgrade rights. The windows 10 enterprise per user addon is an optional subscription license that provides windows 10 enterprise per user rights for a primary user whose primary device is licensed with windows covered by software assurance, or windows per user vda rights for a primary user whose primary device is licensed with windows vda. Here is the text from the licensing site for windows 8.
Oem downgrade rights apply to windows 8 pro and allow downgrading for up to two prior versions n2 to windows 7 professional or windows vista business. Microsoft volume licensing microsoft software assurance. I now have a mak key for my windows 7 wds deployments. Adding sa to a windows 8 professional oem license provides, among other benefits, the right to downgrade to any prior os. A windows 8 pro oem license, not covered by sa, entitles customers to downgrade up to two releases downto windows 7 professional and windows vista business, but not to xp. Purchase windows intune wsa subscription through vl or online services.
Downgrade rights will be critical to windows 8 s acceptance in the enterprise, but if theyre exercised by consumers, its a sign microsofts newest os has pulled a vista, analysts said today. Mui is only available for windows 7 in the windows 7 enterprise edition, which requires software assurance. Because the multilingual user interface mui is included with windows 8. For the windows products, there are limitations on downgrade rights. Downgrade rights for microsoft commercial licensing, oem, and.
I activated sa on the very first windows 8 pro machine i bought. Downgrade rights for microsoft volume licensing, oem. Personally i loved windows 7, it was one of my favourite versions. So for example, windows 10 pro can downgrade to windows 8. Hello, i work for a medical software company and im trying to find a solution to a windows 7 pro downgrade rights issue. Our current workflow is to purchase pcs from a vendor i. You can only downgrade to windows 7 professional or windows vista business, not windows xp. How to downgrade from windows 8 pro to windows 7 professional. This brief explains the options for licensing windows embedded 8 editions and key enterprise features. I will be surprised if after 29 july we will really have to pay full price to upgrade windows 7 8 to 10, but with ms you really dont know what theyre going to do until they do it. Downgrading windows 8 to 7 without having downgrade rights. Thanks to downgrade rights, end users who have acquired a later version of the software such as windows server 2012 r2 standard can use an earlier version of the software such. If your copy came preinstalled on your system, you may downgrade your copy to windows 7.
Customers will not be able to buy a windows 7 professional or ultimate pc with end user downgrade rights after windows 7 reaches the end of sales date in the oem channel which according to. These licensing rules, called downgrade rights, vary by sales channel. Windows 8 enterprise is available only as a software assurance benefit and. Please previously i use win10 pro, few week ago on the sceen show license will expired soon. A lot of computers that come preloaded with windows 8 do not have native driver support for windows 7 by the manufacturer. An understanding of both your microsoft windows downgrade rights. If there are no native drivers, you will have to consider returning the machine and purchasing a machine preloaded with windows 8 pro with downgrade rights to windows 7 professional. An understanding of both your microsoft windows downgrade. Adding software assurance software assurance sa can be added to windows 8 pro. I need windows 7 ultimate or enterprise for 20 desktop pc so bitlocker can be used.
Windows desktop os upgrade licensing which license do i. You would not, however, be able to downgrade to windows vista home basic or. Adding software assurance software assurance sa can be added to windows 8. Active software assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to. In summary, the windows 10 enterprise e3 in csp program is an upgrade offering that provides small and mediumsized organizations easier, more flexible access to the benefits of windows 10 enterprise edition, whereas microsoft volume licensing programs and software assurance are broader in scope and provide benefits beyond access to windows 10. Window 7 8 pro enterprise 32bit 64bit software assurance. Systems on this list were available with a windows 8 pro purchase option, windows 7 drivers may not be available. To get access to downgrade rights, software assurance sa is available to. Product activation every copy of windows 8 must be activated with a valid product key. This article describes an update that enables downgrade rights between windows 10 internet of things iot and windows embedded 8. Apr 03, 20 for a pc that has windows 8 preinstalled by an oem oem downgrade rights apply to only windows 8 pro and allow for downgrades for up to two earlier versions to windows 7 professional and to windows vista business. Software assurance availability and benefits vary by volume licensing program and region.
Refer to the table below for more specific product downgrade rights. To get access to downgrade rights, software assurance sa is available to purchase for underlying oem office professional licenses within 90 days from the date of the oem purchase. Downgrade rights windows 10 pro retail to windows 7 pro. Microsoft will allow users of windows 8 pro to downgrade their new pcs to windows 7 or even vista, according to the operating systems licensing agreement. Thanks to downgrade rights, end users who have acquired a later version of the software such as windows server 2012 r2 standard can use an earlier version. Well it certainly looks like it should according to. Software assurance benefits help you take full advantage of your investments in it. Software assurance by benefit microsoft volume licensing. Downgrade rights will always apply to volume licenses, but it will depend on the product for the oem licenses.
Microsoft license downgrade rights why you need to know them. Mar 01, 20 for the windows products, there are limitations on downgrade rights. Your ability to downgrade windows 8 to an earlier version of windows depends both on the version of windows 8 that you have and on the method by which you obtained windows 8. Sorry, but windows xp downgrades wont be available. With windows software assurance per user licensing, all of the users. To license windows software assurance per user for faculty and.
Dec 20, 2012 purchase windows 8 upgrades through volume licensing vl with software assurance. Can i add software assurance to my windows 10 pro license. Windows 8 7 volume license version ms licensing spiceworks. For full details about the access rights granted, refer to the software assurance benefits section of the microsoft volume licensing product. Software assurance through vl volume licensing provides the greatest flexibility, allowing for downgrades to all prior versions and editions besides windows 7 ultimate and vista ultimate editions. For a pc that has windows 8 preinstalled by an oem oem downgrade rights apply to only windows 8 pro and allow for downgrades for up to two earlier versions to windows 7 professional and to windows vista business. Heres a link to the licensing brief that talks about downgrade rights. Software assurance sa through volume licensing provides the greatest downgrade rights, allowing for downgrades to additional prior versions and editions, including notably, windows 7. Upgrade copies of windows 8 pro dont include downgrade rights, so you cant purchase the windows 8 pro pack to get downgrade rights. We license our users with windows software assurance per user, do windows downgrade rights extend to all of the licensed users. What types of windows server licenses are available. Windows downgrade rights frequently asked questions.
New benefits are provided for devices covered by software assurance for windows embedded 8. Without software assurance coverage, vl has downgrade rights to prior versions of windows with the exception of enterprise. Steps for an end user to downgrade windows software. Is there a ultimate or enterprise version of windows 8 or will buying windows 8 pro vl give me downgrade rights to windows 7 ultimate and or enterprise. May 10, 2016 this article describes an update that enables downgrade rights between windows 10 internet of things iot and windows embedded 8.
While the windows 8 pro license allows for a downgrade to windows 7, there is no assurance that windows 7 drivers will be available either from dell or the component manufacturer. Windows 8 will not include right to downgrade to xp. A windows 8 enterprise edition purchased with sa, provides downgrade rights down to windows nt. Explains the downgrade rights for the most commonly acquired systems license terms granted by volume licensing programs and how they compare with original equipment manufacturer oem and fullpackage product fpp license rights. Downgrade rights for microsoft volume licensing, oem, and. Windows sa licensing confers the rights to use the enterprise edition of the latest windows release, as well as downgrade rights. Each time you purchase a machine with an oem license of windows 8, attach sa via volume licensing at a cost of around. Looking on the volume license quote website i only windos 8 pro. For windows 8 licenses acquired though an oem, you may downgrade to the two prior versions n2 of the licensed windows edition.
Before you install this update, see the prerequisites section. You may downgrade windows 10 enterprise to windows 88. Windows 8 enterprise which comes with software assurance may be downgraded to windows 7. Sep 10, 2012 if a pc has an oem windows 8 professional license, any post windows xp version windows vista business, windows 7 professional, or windows 8 professional may be deployed. Windows 10 downgrade rights when will microsoft make an official statement as to what happens to my legit windows 7 key after i upgrade to rtm windows 10. One of the most valuable benefits you receive through windows software assurance and windows virtual desktop access vda is flexible access to windows enterprise. Though downgrade rights, customers with a valid license for windows embedded 8. It is important, though, to read through the eula or oem license terms document that ships with the product to understand the specific downgrade rights offered. Volume license customers who purchase software assurance contracts from microsoft will continue to have downgrade rights on systems they. Microsoft tweaks per user vda and software assurance. For the windows 8 enterprise with sa volume you can downgrade all the way to windows 95. Downgrade rights which let customers replace a newer version of windows with an. Downgrade to windows 8 proffesional microsoft community.
Windows 8 pro oem downgrade to windows 7 pro via software. What may i downgrade to if i have windows 8 enterprise. Oem downgrade rights apply to windows 8 pro only and allow downgrades up to. To obtain a more favorable and expanded set of use rights than provided by oem licenses, including downgrade rights, many customers supplement their oem windows professional licenses with purchases made through volume licensing programs, the two most prominent being the windows professional upgrade license and software assurance sa. As noted above, microsoft only provides the media for n2 versions of windows desktop os. Downgrade rights are an enduser right that microsoft offers to customers for certain oem products which meet the technical requirements for a windows software downgrade. Downgrades are key to microsoft license compliance directions. Cddvd of earlier microsoft products that your organization is currently licensed to use through downgrade rights, you can use these prior software.
Read the fine print before downgrading to windows 7 new report explains in straightforward language what you need to know to stay in compliance with microsofts licensing rules. Feb, 20 downgrading windows 8 to 7 without having downgrade rights. Downgrade rights windows 8 to 7 i have had my optiplex 3010 for two weeks now and just cannot get on with windows 8 professional. Downgrade rights for microsoft commercial licensing, oem. Microsoft windows 7, microsoft windows 8, downgrade from windows 8 to. Jun 08, 2016 only the professional versions of windows desktop operating systems include downgrade rights, and the easy rule of thumb is that they can be downgraded to the pro version of the previous two major releases. With windows software assurance per user licensing, all of the users devices receive the same downgrade rights as they would if they were covered by windows software assurance per device. Oem versions of microsoft office software licenses do not grant downgrade rights. Software assurance is an offering for microsoft volume licensing customers that provides customers with benefits such as the ability to spread payments over three years, new version rights, support, tools, and training. If youve purchased a license with software assurance and you want to. Our software is currently designed for xp pro only.
Does anyone have a link to the windows 8 downgrade rights document. Downgrade rights are only available on computers that come with windows 8 pro. Thanks to downgrade rights, if you have acquired a later version of the software such as windows 10 pro you can use an earlier version of the software such as windows 8. Mar 14, 2017 downgrade and downedition rights are an enduser right that microsoft offers to customers for certain oem products that meet the technical requirements for a windows software downgrade. To downgrade eligible windows software, end users must. Windows embedded 8 is a trusted platform that enables enterprises to delight customers and extend the power and intuitive experience of windows 8 to specialized devices. Downgrade rights for windows 10 licensing howto windows. For example, an end user who downgrades to windows 7 professional may later return to windows 8.
Downgrade rights are documented in the microsoft software license terms that customers accept upon first running windows and windows server software. Oem windows 10 customers must use genuine windows 8. A comprehensive program that includes a unique set of technologies, services, and rights to help deploy, manage, and use microsoft products efficiently, software assurance helps keep your business up to date and ready to respond quickly to change and opportunity. Downgrade rights are granted with all server software licenses acquired through the select license and open license programs. Mar 30, 2018 the server products after 2003 typically do include downgrade rights, and the windows operating systems from windows vista through windows 10 professional do include downgrade rights. Software assurance is only available through a microsoft volume licensing agreement. Customers will continue to be allowed to attach software assurance to new devices purchased before july 1, 2014. This will give you the various benefits discussed in this article. Software assurance sa can be added to windows 8 pro. The first step is to know your rights for a variety of reasons, some businesses are looking to downgrade from windows 8 to windows 7.
Discussion in windows 10 updates and activation started by andrreasandrreas, apr 12, 2020 at 5. Hpe faq for microsoft oem licensing windows server. Downgrade rights are available for windows for embedded systems products. I have windows 7 professional and need to get to windows 8. The technical steps to deploy downgrade rights to windows 8. Dell with a windows xp pro oem license then we do a clean. Update enables downgrade rights between windows 10 iot and. The new peruser sa and vda plans are restricted to using windows 7 or windows 8 8.
If you do have downgrade rights and decide to use them, you continue to keep the license and rights of use for your original version and may upgrade back at any time. Dont assume microsoft license downgrade rights apply universally. Jun 09, 2014 for oem licenses, downgrade rights are documented in the microsoft software license terms that customers accept upon first running windows and windows server software. For this you have to use the gparted software that is a linux based application that will allow you to delete and format your.
However, institutions may acquire windows software assurance per user rights through the windows software assurance per user addon. Microsoft software assurance, downgrade rights, and virtualization with oem licensing specific product questions for active product families client access licenses cals and remote desktop services rdss cals reseller questions licensing 1. Active software assurance customers in volume licensing have the. There are no downgrade rights to windows 7 ultimate 5. How the new windows 8 license terms affect you zdnet. If you upgrade from a retail version, it carries the rights of a retail version.
In addition i have updated the main software i use to the latest versions and they are still not compatible with w8. Licenses bought through fpp and oem can be activated via the internet or. Read the fine print before downgrading to windows 7 infoworld. Frequently asked questions about microsoft licensing squalio. What are downgrade rights and how would my customer benefit from them. Consumer versions of windows have no downgrade rights, but the.
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