Option

Details

Expiration Date

Windows XP Preinstalled Downgrade

OEMs may use the Windows XP Professional OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) to factory install the Windows XP Professional downgrade software image on both systems with a Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate COA and systems with a Windows Vista Business or Ultimate COA.

OEMs may provide such systems directly to end users or through channel partners. OEMs may market this option. However, advertising must :

• Primarily and more prominently feature the Windows operating system version that is preinstalled on the system. For example, “Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (available through downgrade rights from Windows Vista® Business)” would meet this requirement for systems with the appropriate Windows 7 COA; and "Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (available through downgrade rights from Windows Vista® Business)" would meet this requirement for systems with the appropriate Windows Vista COA

• Clearly indicate that the End User may only use one version at a time and that switching between versions requires uninstalling the other version.

OEMs may provide such systems directly to End Users or through channel partners.

This option is limited to the appropriate OA versions of Windows 7 and Windows Vista only. Systems must have the applicable activation markers for both OA 2.X and OA 1.0.

Six months after Windows 7 GA

Drop-In-Box (DIB) Downgrade Media

Systems With a Windows Vista COA: OEMs may DIB Windows XP Professional recovery media for systems factory installed with Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate.

Systems With a Windows 7 COA: OEMs may DIB either Windows XP Professional recovery media or Windows Vista recovery media (Business or Ultimate), but not both for systems factory installed with Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate.

For applicable Windows 7 and Windows Vista products, OEMs may market the availability of the DIB downgrade media to End Users.  Marketing of this option is limited to messaging regarding the inclusion of DIB downgrade media. In any marketing, the inclusion of downgrade media must not be featured more prominently than the preinstalled operating system software.

This option is limited to OA versions of Windows 7 and Windows Vista only. Systems must Have the appropriate activation markers for both OA 2.X and OA 1.0.

Six months after Windows 7 GA

Custom Downgrade Image

OEMs may use the OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) for Windows XP or Windows Vista to as  outlined in the DTOS to factory install a custom downgrade software image upon customer request.

Customer must be a qualified End User and must be expected to annually order at least 25 systems with the same custom downgrade software image.

None scheduled. This is a right in the Microsoft Desktop Operating System (DTOS) License Agreement.

Downgrade Keys For OEMs That Do Not Use OEM Activation

OEMs that install downgrade software on behalf of an End User as a post-purchase service may obtain product keys for Windows XP using a web-based request process.

Available only for OEMs that do not use OA and subject to volume limits.

Six months after Windows 7 GA

Page

Topic

1

• Introduction
• Windows Vista Downgrade Rights

2

• Windows 7 Downgrade Rights
• Availability Of Downgrade Rights
• Support For Windows XP

3

• Summary Of Downgrade Options

09-04-2008

1.0

Initial Release.

29-05-2008

2.0

Updated the entire article with new details on Microsoft's downgrade policies for Windows 7 and Windows Vista.