Vista Downgrade

[Guest Rickb54]

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?

[Guest Ken Blake]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

"Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...

> 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.

 

--

Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup

[Guest Shenan Stanley]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

Rickb54 wrote:

> 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.

 

--

Shenan Stanley

MS-MVP

--

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[Guest Patrick Keenan]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

"Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...

> 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/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-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

[Guest Phisherman]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:30:04 -0700, Rickb54

<Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>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.

[Guest Ken Blake]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

"Phisherman" <noone@nobody.com> wrote in message

news:0ugbd3151gmadtosn0pq5pnv8c94sspea3@4ax.com...

> On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:30:04 -0700, Rickb54

> <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>

>>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.

 

 

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.

 

--

Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup

[Guest Rickb54]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

 

Thanks for the info. I will look for a machine loaded with XP, since my

application software does not support Vista.

"Ken Blake" wrote:

> "Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...

>

> > 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.

>

> --

> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User

> Please reply to the newsgroup

>

>

>

[Guest smlunatick]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

On Aug 29, 1:30 pm, Rickb54 <Rick...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> 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.

[Guest Ken Blake]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

"Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:B908220F-1F19-4453-BC4B-4DABABCACBFB@microsoft.com...

>

> 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?

 

--

Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup

> "Ken Blake" wrote:

>

>> "Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...

>>

>> > 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.

>>

>> --

>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User

>> Please reply to the newsgroup

>>

>>

>>

[Guest Paul Randall]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

 

"Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...

> 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/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-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

[Guest crs1969]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

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.

 

"Paul Randall" wrote:

>

> "Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...

> > 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/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-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

>

>

>

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

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/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

 

 

"crs1969" <crs1969@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:E2E3EAA8-0419-4546-94AF-C570A81F3376@microsoft.com...

>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.

>

> "Paul Randall" wrote:

>

>>

>> "Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...

>> > 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/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-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

>>

>>

>>

[Guest DL]

Re: Vista Downgrade

 

Not withstanding the downgrade rights, the primary consideration would be

whether winxp drivers are available for the hw

 

"crs1969" <crs1969@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:E2E3EAA8-0419-4546-94AF-C570A81F3376@microsoft.com...

>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.

>

> "Paul Randall" wrote:

>

>>

>> "Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...

>> > 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/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-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

>>

>>

>>