Windows 7 - Windows 7 downgrade rights to Winxp question

texastig · 04-23-2010

We got Windows 7 with downgrade rights to Winxp. Dell installed Winxp on it. Is it possible to use the Windows 7 that came with the computer to dual boot between Winxp and Windows 7?

Zepher · 04-23-2010

sure.

Barman58 · 04-23-2010

Not legally - if you exercised you downgrade rights and installed XP,(either yourself or Dell), then you no longer have a license for Windows 7.

The only way that this would not be the case is if Dell supplied two licences - one for each OS - Check with Dell as they are the only people who can clarify this for you - although it would be very unusual for a downgrade to retain the original licencing in addition to the downgrade OS

Zepher · 04-23-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Barman58

Not legally - if you exercised you downgrade rights and installed XP,(either yourself or Dell), then you no longer have a license for Windows 7.

The only way that this would not be the case is if Dell supplied two licences - one for each OS - Check with Dell as they are the only people who can clarify this for you - although it would be very unusual for a downgrade to retain the original licencing in addition to the downgrade OS

Where did you get that info from?
Understanding Downgrade Rights

Quote:

When and Why Would Customers Use Downgrade Rights for Windows 7?

Example:

Your customer's organization needs a new system running on the same platform as its existing systems—Windows Vista Business.

Downgrade rights offer a practical solution. The customer can:

Purchase a PC with Windows 7 Professional preinstalled.
Downgrade—at no additional cost—to Windows Vista.
Another compelling reason to encourage customers to move to Windows 7 is the ability to downgrade to Windows XP.
Move to Windows 7 Professional at the appropriate time. The system is licensed and ready for conversion.

whs · 04-23-2010

I believe Barman is right. It is ONE key with which you can run either XP or Windows 7 - not both at the same time.
The passages quoted above say nothing about the legality of running both at the same time.

Zepher · 04-24-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by whs

I believe Barman is right. It is ONE key with which you can run either XP or Windows 7 - not both at the same time.
The passages quoted above say nothing about the legality of running both at the same time.

You won't be running both at the same time when you dual boot, you run one or the other.

this is from Dells FAQ (Vista and Win 7 rights are the same)

Quote:

So, what are Windows Vista “Downgrade Rights”?
Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate have what Microsoft calls “Downgrade Rights.” Downgrade Rights means that anyone with a Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate operating system can downgrade to Windows XP Professional provided they have the media for Windows XP Professional. Customers may use one operating system at any single point in time (cannot run both operating systems simultaneously unless an additional license is purchased). For customers who decide to exercise Downgrade Rights on their own, however, please note that Dell will only support the factory-installed operating system. Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium do not have this option, as they are not capable of downgrading to Windows XP.

Barman58 · 04-24-2010

From The full Terms .....

Quote:

End users may reinstall the software at any time provided the downgrade operating system has been removed from the computer, and that software is reinstalled on the same PC on which it was originally installed, using the original OEM system builder edge-to-edge media distributed with the original PC. The end user will need to use the product key, located in the center of the Certificate of Authenticity (COA), in order to activate the following products:

Downgrade Rights Details & FAQ

So as I thought the use of both operating systems at the same time is prohibited. (dual boot or use in a virtual machine are classed as different systems for Microsoft licensing).

The other thing is that reading through the T&C, installing the downgrade means that the system is then unsupported by Dell or Microsoft - this is not ideal, but understandable for the target market, the business

MadMaxData · 04-24-2010

Isn't it odd how people can read the exact same text, and come to completely different conclusions? EULA's are about as clear as mud if you ask me.

Barman58 · 04-24-2010

I agree - after 30 years you do start to realise that the EULA s are cumulative - the Dell document (or other OEMs), are on top of the basic Microsoft one, not a replacement for it. You will often see links in the text that lead to more small print so it does get complex.

The basic rule I use is, one full License = one install, and updates/downgrade licenses are ignored

whs · 04-24-2010

Quote:

Customers may use one operating system at any single point in time

I think we are puzzled about the semantics of the word "use". I always read that as "installed". But maybe that is not right.

Windows 7 - Windows 7 downgrade rights to Winxp question

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