Windows Vista License Downgrade

[Guest]

I know that a Vista Business or Vista Ultimate OEM license can be downgraded
and used for Windows XP. That is to allow customers to buy Vista for new
systems before the company actually converts its systems.

What I would like to know is can a Vista Ultimate license be downgraded to
run Vista Business? I am getting ready to order some new PCs and corporate
hasn't set a policy on whether we will be standardizing on the business or
ultimate edition.

I want to go ahead and buy the new PCs with Vista so I don't have to buy
(and keep up with licensing paths) upgrades for them later. I just don't
know which version I should get. If I get business and "they" standardize on
ultimate I still have the upgrade issue, however, if I buy ultimate and they
standardize on business I really don't want to have to pay more money to
"upgrade" to a lower version.

Does anyone know if the OEM license for ultimate will allow you to install
and run a "lesser" version?

Thanks

Howard

 

[Rock]

I know that a Vista Business or Vista Ultimate OEM license can be
downgraded
and used for Windows XP. That is to allow customers to buy Vista for new
systems before the company actually converts its systems.

I have no idea what you mean here. Vista OEM licenses can be downgraded and
used for XP? An XP version has it's own license.

What I would like to know is can a Vista Ultimate license be downgraded to
run Vista Business? I am getting ready to order some new PCs and
corporate
hasn't set a policy on whether we will be standardizing on the business or
ultimate edition.

I want to go ahead and buy the new PCs with Vista so I don't have to buy
(and keep up with licensing paths) upgrades for them later. I just don't
know which version I should get. If I get business and "they" standardize
on
ultimate I still have the upgrade issue, however, if I buy ultimate and
they
standardize on business I really don't want to have to pay more money to
"upgrade" to a lower version.

Does anyone know if the OEM license for ultimate will allow you to install
and run a "lesser" version?

No, an entering an Ultimate product key triggers the installation of
Ultimate. It is the product key that determines what get's installed.

 

[LaRoux]

The best course of action IMHO would be to go with Business. It seems
unlikely that a business would want or need the additional items in
Ultimate, with the possible exception of BitLocker.

If this ends up being the wrong answer, using the Anytime Upgrade
functionality should provide a quick and seamless upgrade to Ultimate with
the final cost only about $50ea additional than if you had gone with
Ultimate to begin with.

However, if you start with Ultimate and then want Business, you will most
likely have to reinstall and you'll be out about $160ea. for the additional
cost of the Business "upgrade".

 

[Mike Brannigan]

I know that a Vista Business or Vista Ultimate OEM license can be
downgraded
and used for Windows XP. That is to allow customers to buy Vista
for new
systems before the company actually converts its systems.

What I would like to know is can a Vista Ultimate license be
downgraded to
run Vista Business? I am getting ready to order some new PCs and
corporate
hasn't set a policy on whether we will be standardizing on the
business or
ultimate edition.

I want to go ahead and buy the new PCs with Vista so I don't have to
buy
(and keep up with licensing paths) upgrades for them later. I just
don't
know which version I should get. If I get business and "they"
standardize on
ultimate I still have the upgrade issue, however, if I buy ultimate
and they
standardize on business I really don't want to have to pay more
money to
"upgrade" to a lower version.

Does anyone know if the OEM license for ultimate will allow you to
install
and run a "lesser" version?

Thanks

Howard

No, the downgrade rights within the Windows Vista Ultimate Edition OEM
EULA - only allow the following rights
10. DOWNGRADE. Instead of using the software, you may use one of the
following earlier versions:

· Microsoft Windows XP Professional,

· Microsoft Windows Professional x64 Edition, or

· Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

This agreement applies to your use of the earlier versions. If
the earlier version includes different components, any terms for those
components in the agreement that comes with the earlier version apply
to your use of them. Neither the manufacturer or installer, nor
Microsoft is obligated to supply earlier versions to you. You must
obtain the earlier version separately. At any time, you may replace
an earlier version with this version of the software.



From - EULAID:VISTA_RM.0_CONSUMER_OEM_en-US


So you may only downgrade to a copy of Windows XP - and you must
source the product and activation key yourself.
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