windows - Legal to use Vista OEM to install on Computer with XP sticker?
2014-07
Jake
Possible Duplicate:
Legally downgrade Windows Vista Home OEM license?
I have a HP Probook 4410s laptop which couldn't boot and I did a clean install of the OEM Vista that came with the laptop. After everything was up and running, I was told by the user that it was originally XP.
Indeed, i later found the OEM XP as well. To complicate things, the sticker on the bottom of the laptop has faded and I cannot make out whether the key is for Vista or XP. I then tried to change the product key to the sticker key, but the system says it is invalid. Then again, I read that the sticker does nothing from some other forums.
I don't want to redo everything or go back to XP (yes yes, Vista worse than XP, doesn't matter) So is it legal given my situation? I don't understand why they would give 2 version of Windows for nothing.
bubu
This is most likely due to the XP-downgrading process which likely is obsoleted.
From the Vista downgrading FAQ Website
Q. What are the end-user benefits of downgrade rights?
A. With downgrade rights end users are allowed to acquire Windows 7 or Windows Vista, but continue to use Windows Vista or Windows XP Professional respectively until they are ready to upgrade. When they are ready for Windows 7 or Windows Vista, they already have the license.
(Emphasis mine)
From the FAQ, I think they do allow restoration of vista when the user is "ready" to do so. To check whether the computer is from that particular process - ask microsoft... (eh...)
Roalt
Last year I bought a laptop that included Windows Vista Home Premium, OEM version. As I bought it for my linux work and am not fond of Vista, I would like to replace it by Windows XP or make a Virtual machine that runs XP.
Is it possible to legally downgrade my Vista version to XP without paying for an extra XP licence? There is some text in the Vista license about downgrading but I cannot understand it.
Can I just use my Vista license number for XP?
I'm talking here about how to do this in a legal way, not technically. I do not care for the data that's now on my system, I just as well would like to do a clean reinstall.
(I do not like Vista because of the strict administrator policies and the memory overhead, but that's not what this question is about.)
Goran Peroš
According to official Microsoft document from http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf
The OEM vesions of Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate include downgrade rights to Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, and Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Customers may not downgrade to Windows 2000 Professional from Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate. No downgrade rights are included in other Windows Vista products in the OEM channel
Translation: Legally you can downgrade OEM versions Vista Business and Vista Ultimate. Other version cannot be legally downgraded.
David Hayes
First an answer I don't believe it's possible for consumers to downgrade a license from Vista Home Premium to XP
There is some info here http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9040318/FAQ_Giving_up_on_Vista_Here_s_how_to_downgrade_to_XP You'd obviously need to perform a clean install to do this.
Next a comment
Vista isn't crap, it's much better than XP. It had a bad run on release due to hardware manufacturers failing to write half decent drivers.
And some advice
Personally I'd buy a Windows 7 Upgrade license for $50 rather than stepping back 8 years to XP if you really can't stand Vista
whs
Before you even think about going with XP, check whether you can find ALL XP drivers for your PC. Chances are you don't and then the project is dead in the water anyhow. And as was said earlier, who wants to wrestle with an 8 year old OS these days. Follow the advice and get Windows7.
Jay Atkinson
I think the only way you can downgrade an existing Vista to XP is to install XP over it. They're completely different operating systems under the hood.
amarcy
It is possible to get rid of Vista and go to XP.
If you have a license for XP, creating a Virtual Machine is the easiest way to go. You can get Virtual PC for a free solution, or preferably get VMWare Workstation and go that route. This way you won't have to mess with backing stuff op on your Vista machine.
If you have no need for Vista then you will basically have to start from scratch by installing XP as a clean install over the Vista partition. Be sure to back up anything pertinent first. It is similar to installing XP normally, you just need to format the Vista partition first.
If you decide to go that route here is a link describing how to do it:
http://windowssecrets.com/2009/03/12/01-Downgrade-Vista-to-XP-in-seven-easy-steps