Vista Downgrade

[Guest]

If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP uograde
disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?

 

[Ken Blake]

If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP
uograde
disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?

You can never do any kind of downgrade of Microsoft operating systems.
Downgrades are never supported.

So you can *not* downgrade from Vista to XP. However, if you own a copy of a
qualifying operating system (such as Windows 98) for an upgrade to XP, you
can use that with an XP Upgrade CD. Just do a clean installation of XP by
booting from the CD and deleting the existing partition by pressing "D" when
prompted, then creating a new one. You will be prompted to insert the
previous operating system's CD as proof of ownership.

Two additional points however:

1. If the machine comes with Vista, you may have trouble getting the XP
drivers you need for all its hardware.

2. The manufacturer may consider your warranty void if you change operating
system.

I recommend that you stick with Vista, but if you want XP, it's much better
to buy a machine that comes with XP.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an
XP uograde disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?

In order to 'downgrade' - you must format and install Windows XP anew.
Since Windows Vista --> Windows XP is not an accepted upgrade path, unless
you have a Windows 9x, Windows MW, Windows 2000 CD laying around you can use
as qualifying media - you must have a full version of Windows XP to do a
clean install.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP
uograde
disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?

You actually have two questions here, one is the cost and the other is how
to do it.

Some versions of Vista, *not all of them*, do have downgrade rights. IIRC
it's limited to Business and Ultimate. The idea is that you do not, under
some circumstances, have to buy a new XP license.

But, there's a rather large "But".

*You* have to come up with the valid XP install media and key, and you then
have to contact Microsoft and convince them that you qualify, and then they
will (hopefully) send you activation codes for XP. However, there are
reports that this can take days or longer. Apparently, some CS reps won't
accept some XP install types (for example, if you've used an OEM version,.
you may be disallowed). It isn't a smooth process.

You can't use an XP Upgrade disk with Vista as the qualifier. You have to
present an older, qualifying version, like ME or 2000 (2000 will not work
with an XP Home upgrade disk).

Google "Vista Downgrade Rights"
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

If you don't want Vista, it's a *much* better idea to not get a system with
it in the first place. Most manufacturers still offer XP as an option at
purchase. You are *not forced* to take Vista.

If you do decide to downgrade, you will have to *first* verify that drivers
are available for all the hardware, and get them so that they can be
installed from CD or local disk as soon as XP finishes installing. You
can't go online to find them if the network card won't work.

You will have to wipe the drive at the start of the XP Install. Delete and
recreate the partition.

You may find it a somewhat better idea to get an entirely new hard disk, and
put the Vista disk away unmolested, so that you can just plug it in when
you're ready to use Vista.

But the best idea is to get what you need in the first place so you don't
have to spend a lot of time playing with the OS install.

HTH
-pk

 

[Phisherman]

If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP uograde
disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?

You can buy an upgrade copy of XP if you have an older Windows or you
can buy an OEM XP version with a small hardware purchase. The OEM
version is probably less money at $70.

 

[Ken Blake]

You can buy an upgrade copy of XP if you have an older Windows or you
can buy an OEM XP version with a small hardware purchase. The OEM
version is probably less money at $70.

I strongly recommend *against* buying OEM versions of Windows XP. Assuming
that he qualifies for the Upgrade version I recommend that instead, since it
usually costs only slightly more than an OEM version, and comes without the
OEM version's restrictions, the most severe of which is that once installed,
it can never legally be moved to another computer, even if the original one
dies.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info. I will look for a machine loaded with XP, since my
application software does not support Vista.

 

[smlunatick]

If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP uograde
disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?

Please read the 'fine print" in the warranty of the new machine, when
you purchase it. I have seen several "other" pre-installed Windows
(not Vista) where the warranty would not be "honored" if the Windows
Vista is removed.

 

[Ken Blake]

Thanks for the info. I will look for a machine loaded with XP, since my
application software does not support Vista.

What software is that? Are you sure it won't run under Vista? Even in
compatibility mode?

 

[Paul Randall]

If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP
uograde
disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?

It depends. If you are a cheapskate like me, you probably want M$ or your
computer's mfg to just give you a free key/license for WXP and let you
install with a friend's WXP installation CD. Example:

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

There may be different rules for OEM and Non-OEM Vista downgrade rights. I
thought I had two separate URLs, but can only find the one right now.

Some computers with Vista preinstalled don't have WXP drivers, or may have
their BIOS optimized for Vista and online support chat recommend not running
WXP. Example:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?product=3340210&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&cc=us

I guess you could experiment with a 30-day trial WXP installation without
activating and see whether it is feasible on your hardware.

-Paul Randall

 

[crs1969]

I don't really think this answers the persons question. That is why I don't
depend on others who cannot just give a straight answer. I did talk to Dell
Tech Support today and you can downgrade to Win XP home edition or
Professional. All you have to have is the Win XP disc and I would make sure
that I have the back disc for Win Vista. Otherwise anyone who says you
cannot downgrade is wrong because you can.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

As long as Vista is preinstalled, yes. However, you need to be aware of the
restrictions. MS has a page for OEMs explaning the program. According to
it, Vista Business and Ultimate have downgrade rights to XP Pro x86, XP Pro
x64, and XP Tablet editions. According to the site, Vista Home Basic and
Premium do not have downgrade rights and XP Home is not an option as the
downgraded OS.

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

 

[DL]

Not withstanding the downgrade rights, the primary consideration would be
whether winxp drivers are available for the hw