Licensing and installing earlier software versions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jeff
  • Start date Start date
J

Jeff

If you purchase Windows 2003 server with Open License, can
you install Windows 2000 server instead of Windows 2003
(using the product key that you get for Windows 2003). It
seems to me that at one time you were allowed
to "downlevel" to the previous release. I tried doing
this today and the installation errored with an invalid
key. I can use Windows 2003 server if I have to, but not
too many people are using the application software that we
are going to install in a Windows 2003 server environment.
 
If you purchase Windows 2003 server with Open License, can
you install Windows 2000 server instead of Windows 2003
(using the product key that you get for Windows 2003). It
seems to me that at one time you were allowed
to "downlevel" to the previous release. I tried doing
this today and the installation errored with an invalid
key. I can use Windows 2003 server if I have to, but not
too many people are using the application software that we
are going to install in a Windows 2003 server environment.
Click to expand...

I don't have a copy of the 2003 Open License EULA but if it reads
similar to prior MS product offerings I am familiar with, Open
License, Volume License, etc, this was permissible but you would use a
product key for the item being installed. i.e. use a 2000 server key
to install W2K. Check your EULA and go from there if it is still OK to
do so.

FWIW, we are purchasing 2003 CALs for 2000 server as the 2000 CALS are
discontinued and 2003 CAL licenses downgrade to W2K.

Warren
 
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