Downgrade rights for microsoft volume licensing, oem licentia. 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. Thanks to downgrade rights, end users who have acquired a later version of the software such as windows 10 pro or windows server 2012 r2 standard can use an earlier version of the software until. Before you install this update, see the prerequisites section. Features exclusive to the windows server datacenter edition include shielded virtual machines, software defined networking, storage spaces direct, and storage replica. Windows 10 enterprise e3 in csp windows deployment.
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. Microsoft will allow users of windows 8 pro to downgrade their new pcs to. 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. Oem versions of microsoft office software licenses do not grant downgrade rights. When purchased through a when windows 8 pro is purchased through oem, sa can be added within 90 days. This brief explains the options for licensing windows embedded 8 editions and key enterprise features. Downgrades are key to microsoft license compliance directions. For the windows products, there are limitations on downgrade rights.
Downgrade rights for windows 10 licensing howto windows. Though downgrade rights, customers with a valid license for windows embedded 8. 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. If youve purchased a license with software assurance and you want to. 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. Without software assurance coverage, vl has downgrade rights to prior versions of windows with the exception of enterprise.
With new version rights, each microsoft product license that is covered by active software assurance can be upgraded to the most recent version for no additional cost. So for example, windows 10 pro can downgrade to windows 8. Windows 8 enterprise is available only as a software assurance benefit and. The process for downgrading to an earlier version of windows is the same as it is for a retail version of windows 8. Independent software vendors services provider license agreement. Customers that acquire rights to mui on their new windows vista pcs through windows vista enterprise in software assurance are permitted to use prior mui versions of the windows operating system. The vlk grants imaging rights, and hes covered with the oem os license. Customers will continue to be allowed to attach software assurance to new devices purchased before july 1, 2014. Microsoft windows 10 pro volume license ms licensing. Because the multilingual user interface mui is included with windows 8 pro, may i use downgrade rights to run mui on a windows 7 pc not covered by software assurance no.
May 10, 2016 this article describes an update that enables downgrade rights between windows 10 internet of things iot and windows embedded 8. Software assurance through vl volume licensing provides the greatest. Sep 03, 2012 downgrade rights which let customers replace a newer version of windows with an older edition without paying for two copies are available only in windows 8 pro. Software assurance in some commercial licensing programs. 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. Because the multilingual user interface mui is included with windows 8. Downgrade rights for microsoft commercial licensing, oem.
For example, if a new version of windows is released during the term of your agreement, your licenses are automatically upgraded to the new version. 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. To provide the rights for users or devices to access the windows server os software running on the server, windows server cals are required. This microsoft volume licensing brief is provided for general informational purposes only. Downgrade rights for microsoft volume licensing, oem, and. Windows 10 enterprise e5 windows 10 enterprise e5 is for organizations that want to take advantage of everything in windows 10 enterprise e3 with the addition of windows defender advanced threat protection windows defender atp, a new service that helps enterprises detect. 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. It does not have any downgrade rights to previous version. The following oem versions of windows software are eligible for downgrade rights.
Microsoft license downgrade rights why you need to know. Fqc09525 is the proper part number for windows 10 pro without software assurance. Windows server also includes features like unlimited windows server containers. A windows 8 enterprise edition purchased with sa, provides downgrade rights down to windows nt. This is the ability to use a previous version of windows under your windows 8 license. 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.
Microsoft license downgrade rights why you need to know them. Licenses bought through fpp and oem can be activated via the internet or. Windows 10 licensing guide and upgrade paths spiceworks. 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. How to downgrade from windows 8 pro to windows 7 professional. 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. Assurance, are allowed to downgrade from any version of windows to any. Adding software assurance software assurance sa can be added to windows 8 pro. Software assurance is only available through a microsoft volume licensing agreement. New benefits are provided for devices covered by software assurance for windows embedded 8. Downgrading windows 8 to 7 without having downgrade rights.
In addition to the base windows server cal or external connector license, some functionalities will continue to require the purchase of an. Personally i loved windows 7, it was one of my favourite versions. This is governed by the personaluse microsoft software license terms for the product. Solved downgrade from win 10 to 7 license question ms. Mui is only available for windows 7 through windows 7 enterprise, which requires software assurance.
Mar 14, 2017 downgrade rights are documented in the microsoft software license terms that customers accept upon first running windows and windows server software. Windows 10 enterprise is only available as a sa software assurance benefit for. Product activation every copy of windows 8 must be activated with a valid product key. Mui is only available for windows 7 in the windows 7 enterprise edition, which requires 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 purchase for underlying oem office professional licenses within 90 days from the date of the oem purchase. The correct part number gives downgrade rights and access to the media and keys. Apr 03, 20 note a windows 8 customer who has multilanguage functionality cannot downgrade to windows 7 pro or to windows xp pro. Desktop oss via the volume licensing program are upgrades only. If you want to downgrade to windows xp then you would have to add software assurance to the new windows 8 pro machines within 90 days to gain the volume licensings unlimited downgrade rights, he.
Downgrade rights are available for windows for embedded systems products. Active software assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer. Microsoft license downgrade rights software license audit. 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. Downgrade rights have nothing at all to do with the sticker or the license being on chip. An understanding of both your microsoft windows downgrade rights. Software assurance by benefit microsoft volume licensing. Software assurance helps boost organizational productivity with 24x7 technical support, deployment planning services, enduser and technical training, exclusive technologies and rights, and the latest microsoft software releases and unique technologiesall in one costeffective. Hpe microsoft windows server 2016 oem licensing faqs.
If a user is licensed with windows software assurance per user, do windows downgrade rights extend to all of the licensed users devices. This is because the multilanguage functionality is exclusive to windows 7 enterprise and is not available for a professional edition. One of the most valuable benefits you receive through windows software assurance and windows virtual desktop access vda is flexible access to windows enterprise. However, customers will not be able to add sa to windows pro oem licenses starting july 2014. You would not, however, be able to downgrade to windows vista home basic or. Microsoft will allow downgrades from windows 8 to windows 7. Windows 8 enterprise which comes with software assurance may be downgraded to windows 7. Dec 20, 2012 oem downgrade rights apply to windows 8 pro only and allow downgrades up to 2 previous versions.
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. New version rights, license mobility, and home use are popular benefits, but software assurance doesnt stop there. This article describes an update that enables downgrade rights between windows 10 internet of things iot and windows embedded 8. Downgrade rights for microsoft volume licensing, oem, and fpp. Oem downgrade rights apply to windows 8 pro only and allow downgrades up to 2 previous versions.
Oem downgrade rights apply to windows 8 pro only and allow downgrades up to. Windows server standard and datacenter editions continue to require windows server cals for every user or device accessing a server see the product terms for exceptions, or windows server external connector licenses for servers accessed by external users. Software assurance for volume licensing includes a range of benefits that span microsoft software and services. What versions are eligible to use downgrade rights, and what versions can they downgrade to. For full details about the access rights granted, refer to the software assurance benefits section of the microsoft volume licensing product. Note a windows 8 customer who has multilanguage functionality cannot downgrade to windows 7 pro or to windows xp pro. 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.
Downgrade rights are only available for licenses obtained through oem or volume licensing vl. Oem downgrade rights apply to windows 8 pro and allows for downgrades up to two prior version. Update enables downgrade rights between windows 10 iot and. Windows 8 will not include right to downgrade to xp.
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. 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. Downgrade rights are only available via oem and volume licensing, not fpp. The downgrade hes asking about is the oeminstalled windows 8. Downgrade rights are where end users who have acquired the latest version of some kind of software can use an earlier version of that same software, until they are ready to migrate to the later version of the software technology. I will be surprised if after 29 july we will really have to pay full price to upgrade windows 78 to 10, but with ms you really dont know what theyre going to do until they do it. If you installed windows 8 by purchasing and installing windows 8 system builder yourself, there are no downgrade rights. Windows server offers additional features in standard and datacenter editions. Downgrade rights for microsoft commercial licensing, oem, and.
Unique technologies, services, and rights help you deploy, manage, and use microsoft products efficiently. Microsoft will allow downgrades from windows 8 to windows. We license our users with windows software assurance per user, do windows downgrade rights extend to all of the licensed users devices. Adding software assurance software assurance sa can be added to windows 8. Downgrade rights will be critical to windows 8s acceptance in the enterprise, but if theyre exercised by consumers, its a sign microsofts newest os has pulled a vista, analysts said today. Desktop oss via the volume licensing program are upgrades only from a qualifying os which would be a previous version of pro. Downgrade rights windows 10 pro retail to windows 7 pro. Software assurance sa, a subscription that included upgrade rights and the microsoft desktop optimization pack mdop, was also part of volume. Downgrade rights are granted in connection with all server software licenses acquired through volume licensing, fpp, and oem and enrolled in software assurance coverage. Windows server os licenses only allow the os to run on the physical server it is licensed for.
Sep 10, 2012 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. Downgrade rights which let customers replace a newer version of windows with an older edition without paying for two copies are available only in windows 8 pro. These licensing rules, called downgrade rights, vary by sales. You get a broad range of benefits that help you make the most of your windows, office, and server products. Thank you for helping us maintain cnets great community. An understanding of both your microsoft windows downgrade. Downgrade rights are documented in the microsoft software license terms that customers accept upon first running windows and windows server software. Software assurance by product microsoft volume licensing.
1111 1082 741 784 287 1238 781 186 378 348 341 60 633 1562 437 1 227 890 1626 1623 809 984 1094 654 1614 108 1243 1204 1376 1554 1256 451 176 1600 401 270 1445 1262 318 1044 1060 1168 1044 343