Re: Legal Vista > XP Question

On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:01:43 GMT, "BushTurkey" <bt@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


"journey" <journey@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:er9i74d0v7putmf68acr9u60r6dpfr8b3k@xxxxxxxxxx
On Sat, 12 Jul 2008 08:46:06 GMT, "BushTurkey" <bt@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

"Nota Clu" <tyro01NOT@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:48760e2e$0$28594$c3e8da3@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have 2 decomissioned Dell XP boxes and the XP CD's. Since they are no
longer used, can I downgrade my new Dell Vista box to XP using one of the
XP CD's?

Vista business and ultimate have downgrade rights.

With downgrade rights, does MS provide the XP install files / disks?

No Microsoft don't supply new XP media.
You would need your own copy of XP Professional media.
You use the Vista license key to instal XP.


If not, then what exactly is a downgrade right -- does it mean that if
you have an install disk, such as for a Dell computer, you are allowed
to use that to downgrade XP on multiple computers using the one XP
install disk you have?

Yes, the downgrade rights are really intended for businesses so that they
can keep all of their computers at the same OS level.
A business in that situation would have XP Professional media.
Plenty of home users would have a copy too.


If MS provides "downgrade rights", it seems that they should also
provide the installation files -- maybe MS should bundle XP in the
Vista versions that are allowed downgrades!

That is something that the reseller can do for new items.
Dell offers a preinstalled XP downgrade service on some computers.
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/sitelets/solutions/software/business/xp_smb?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~tab=4#3rd
"If you are not ready to install Windows Vista, you may also choose the
Windows Vista Downgrade Rights Service (Windows Vista Bonus options), which
provides a simple way to migrate to Windows Vista on your schedule. Dell
will preinstall Windows XP Professional and give you the DVD to install
Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate when you're ready (you will
also receive the CD for Windows XP Professional). Dell will also support
both operating systems on your PC throughout the limited warranty period.

If you exercise the downgrade right on your own, which you can do, Dell
won't provide technical support for the XP operating system in this case.

"To downgrade on your own you will need Windows XP Professional media (i.e.
from a prior purchase). However, Dell's standard policy is to provide
technical support on the operating system that comes pre-installed on your
PC. Dell does not encourage you to change your operating system on your own
as this can be a complicated process."



No offense but this type question keeps popping up from time to time
here and the answers vary so obviously, it is a subject that is not
well understood. I'm not blaming the posters or you because I think
MS does this on purpose to suit their legal needs.

Bottom line is after all the number of questions and the lack of
clarity on this subject, (now watch the flames begin) , should we
really care if we are using it for "private" purposes (for no monetary
gains)? I suppose if your intent is to steal intellectual property,
it doesn't matter whether the license wording is clear or not. I'm
really talking about the well intended user who is trying to be legal
or fair here but can't get a straight answer. Of course you can ask
MS and they'll tell you to buy XP. Just seems like MS is making this
matter just too complicated (almost like doing taxes). Therefore I
think users should just use their best judgement in the end tho I
can't fault them for asking here nor for people like yourself for
trying to help them !! I guess I'm just frustrated by the lack of a
clear answer after many concerned posters. Again, this rant isn't
meant to blame you (actually you are to complimented for trying to
help here) but rather MS.
.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: Legal Vista > XP Question
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