Vista to XP Pro downgrade procedure

[Jeff7181]

What is the procedure for downgrading from Vista to XP Pro? I have a spare Vista Business 32-bit license that I'd like to "downgrade" to a valid XP Pro license to use in a virtual machine.

Do I just use the Vista Business 32-bit key to install XP Pro?

 

[mariosoft034]

I dont think thats going to work, both licenses aren't related.

 

[loup garou]

Yes, you can downgrade to XP Pro using a Vista Business license. You have to use another XP Pro Product Key to install, then call the Activation Hotline and explain the situation when it won't activate. Yes, it's silly, but that's the way it works.

This is for OEM/Retail products. It's much easier with Open Licensing...eOpen gives you the Product Keys for XP Pro right in the website (when the website is working, that is).

 

[RebateMonger]

Note that the downgrade rights are only for OEM versions of Vista Business and Vista Ultimate and, of course, for volume-licensed versions of Vista. Retail Vista versions don't count.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Note that the downgrade rights are only for OEM versions of Vista Business and Vista Ultimate and, of course, for volume-licensed versions of Vista. Retail Vista versions don't count.

Ah, that's right. I was thinking of the Server 2003 exception.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: loup garou
Yes, you can downgrade to XP Pro using a Vista Business license. You have to use another XP Pro Product Key to install, then call the Activation Hotline and explain the situation when it won't activate. Yes, it's silly, but that's the way it works.

This is for OEM/Retail products. It's much easier with Open Licensing...eOpen gives you the Product Keys for XP Pro right in the website (when the website is working, that is).

Thanks, that went fine. Apparently I can use the Vista license again whenever I want as long as they're both not in use at the same time.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Note that the downgrade rights are only for OEM versions of Vista Business and Vista Ultimate and, of course, for volume-licensed versions of Vista. Retail Vista versions don't count.

WHAT??? I thought that ALL Vista Business and Ultimate licenses had downgrade rights to XP. Are you saying Retail doesn't get that priviledge?

For all the money that MS charges for Ultimate, it's a total rip-off if they don't let you downgrade.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Note that the downgrade rights are only for OEM versions of Vista Business and Vista Ultimate and, of course, for volume-licensed versions of Vista. Retail Vista versions don't count.

WHAT??? I thought that ALL Vista Business and Ultimate licenses had downgrade rights to XP. Are you saying Retail doesn't get that priviledge?

For all the money that MS charges for Ultimate, it's a total rip-off if they don't let you downgrade.

It is a rip-off that Microsoft doesn't sell the software and let you go back to older obsolete software because you bought it 😕?