It was my impression that computers purchased with Windows 10 installed had 'downgrade rights' to Windows 7. In fact, i read several articles to that effect back in October as the no-more-Win7 date was drawing near. It might entail a phone call to MS, but I think it's doable...
Hi:
(Emphasis mine)
Unfortunately, that -- generally speaking -- is not correct.
There were (and perhaps may still be) a certain number of OEM Enterprise systems with certain types of licensing for which this was the case.
For new Win10 Consumer computers, I'm not sure it was ever a possibility. If it was at one time, AFAIK that is long, long past.
(Moreover, sale of new, OEM Win7 computers officially ended in October 2016.)
As was already pointed out, licensing is just one piece of the puzzle.
Hardware and drivers would be the other limiting factor.
Understanding downgrade rights
Bummer,
MM
Yes, I know that sales of new computers with Win7 officially ended on October 31, 2016, as I mentioned in my post. As that date approached, articles appeared in places like Neowin and suchlike claiming that there were downgrade rights to Win7, though you might have to call MS. Enterprise versions were not specified, but I suppose that would make sense. Bummer indeed.
Although this does not help the OP who has already purchased his computer, you can still buy Win7 computers from sellers with leftover stock. PC Connection has lots of them, e.g. But hurry! Offer good only while supplies last!
The downgrade rights from Windows 10 to windows 7 were for specific business markets only. This type of deal is quite common in the business market where OS changes are phased in over time as departmental needs are assessed.
There were some special deals made for downgrade rights to Windows 7 for normal consumer OEM copies but from Windows 8, not windows 10.
The confusion with windows 10, comes, I believe, from the rollback options for any suitable OS upgraded to Windows 10 for 30 Days after Upgrade.
From an article on ZDNet by Ed Bott in late October:
"In addition, the fact that large OEMs will no longer be able to install older Windows versions on new PCs for sale through retail and commercial channels doesn't mean you're out of options. Here's a partial list of exceptions that will allow businesses and consumers to continue running their old, preferred Windows version:
- Existing inventory PCs that were built with older Windows versions before the deadline can still be sold. For months, at least, you'll be able to find those PCs on retail store shelves and in distributors' warehouses.
- Downgrade rights Any new PC you buy that has Windows 10 Pro preinstalled by the manufacturer comes with downgrade rights to Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 7 Professional, for as long as Microsoft provides support for those earlier versions. You must supply your own installation media, and you have to activate manually."
This is just one of several articles I came across back in October. No one at the time refuted them, so I took it to be true.
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