Downgrade Rights FAQ
Q. Who can install the downgrade software?
A. A system builder (when authorized by the end user), or the end user can install the software.
Q. A Windows XP Professional media disk is needed to facilitate the downgrade from Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows XP Professional. Where does the system builder or end user get the Windows XP Professional media to perform the downgrade?
A. The Windows XP Professional downgrade media can be media associated with any prior legally licensed version from the OEM/system builder, Retail, or Volume Licensing channels. If a customer does not have an available Windows XP Professional media disk, the partner may choose to use media that they have available when they facilitate the downgrade on the customer’s behalf.
Q. Do I need separate Windows XP Professional media for each downgrade that is performed?
A. Media associated with one prior legally licensed version of Windows XP Professional can be used for multiple installations. Multiple sets of media are not necessary for each PC that is being downgraded because the end user has acquired a legitimate full Windows Vista license with the PC, which gave them the right to downgrade.
Q. Do I include the Windows XP Professional media in the box of the customer’s system?
A. No. While a system builder may assist the customer in the facilitation of their downgrade rights, they may not provide Windows XP Professional media with the system, as this is not the product licensed with the system. They should, however, ensure the PC includes the Windows Vista edge-to-edge recovery media. It is this software the customer needs to upgrade to Windows Vista when ready.
Q. Will the Windows XP Professional software require product activation? If so, what product key should be used to activate the software?
A. Once Windows XP Professional is installed, the PC will prompt for a Windows XP Professional product key in order to activate the software. The product key associated with the original Windows XP Professional software should be used for activation. If the Windows XP Professional product key has been previously activated, which is likely if the media came from a prior legally licensed version that has been activated in the past, the software may be unable to activate on-line over the Internet, due to the hardware configuration change when installing this media onto the Windows Vista system. When this happens, the appropriate local Activation Support phone number will be displayed and whomever is performing the downgrade will need to call the Activation Support Line and explain their circumstances to the Customer Service Representative.
Once it is determined that the end user has a valid Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate license, the Customer Service Representative will help them activate their software by providing them with a one-time use activation code which they may use to activate the software.
Q. Clarify again why product activation may fail?
A. Product activation is an anti-piracy technology that associates the hardware configuration of the PC with the software. If the Windows XP Professional product key used when downgrading has been activated in the past, it will be associated with a different hardware configuration and may register an activation failure when used on the new PC. When activation fails, call the local Activation Support center for help in activating.
Q. What are the customer benefits of downgrade rights?
A. With downgrade rights end users are allowed to acquire Windows Vista, but continue to use Windows XP Professional until they are ready to upgrade. When they are ready for Windows Vista, they already have the license.
