Downgrading the version of Vista from Ultimate edition

[Guest]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if there is any way to 'downgrade' the version of Vista
(through changing product key or any other means) without reinstalling? I
have currently installed the Ultimate Edition and need to downgrade to Home
edition for testing purposes - can this be achieved, or will I need to
reinstall with the Home product key?

 

[Guest]

Just reinstall and put no keys you will then be presented version
choices.....then later when asked to activate use the same key you previously
had.......

 

[Mark D. VandenBerg]

Just reinstall and put no keys you will then be presented version
choices.....then later when asked to activate use the same key you
previously
had.......

Actually, not so much. The product key will only activate one specific
version of Vista, in this case, Vista Ultimate. There were a couple of
posts by people who had installed a different version and then called the
activation telephone number and were successful at having Microsoft give
them a different key.

And Ally is correct that in order to go down one or two notches from
Ultimate you will have to reinstall the operating system as a custom
install.