Learning has never been so easy!
Downgrading Windows 10 doesn’t have to be a complicated task. This how-to will provide you with the license rights and how to process for downgrading Windows 10.
4 Steps total
Step 1: Verify you have a version of Windows that includes downgrade rights.
OEM & Volume Licensing are the two license options for Windows 10 that include downgrade rights.
Full package product (FPP) licenses do not offer downgrade rights.
Full package product (FPP) licenses do not offer downgrade rights.
Windows 8 Pro permits a downgrade to Windows 7 (or Vista) without buying anything. The non-pro version of Windows 8 requires the purchase of a Windows 7 license. The steps for downgrading from. The technical steps to deploy downgrade rights to Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 7 Pro are the same as you would deploy the OS to begin with. OEM Windows 10 customers must use genuine Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 media and a corresponding product key for the version of Windows.
Step 2: What are the downgrade rights for Windows 10 Pro?
The OEM Windows 10 Professional includes downgrade rights to Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 7 Pro (see above).
The Windows 10 Pro Volume License Upgrade includes downgrade rights all the way back to Windows 95/98/NT, but Microsoft only provides the media for n-2 versions of Windows desktop OS.
The Windows 10 Pro Volume License Upgrade includes downgrade rights all the way back to Windows 95/98/NT, but Microsoft only provides the media for n-2 versions of Windows desktop OS.
Step 3: How do I downgrade OEM Windows 10 without the previous version of Windows?
The technical steps to deploy downgrade rights to Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 7 Pro are the same as you would deploy the OS to begin with.
OEM Windows 10 customers must use genuine Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 media and a corresponding product key for the version of Windows. The media/key should come from a previously licensed product from the OEM or retail channel. Full process details can be found on the OEM downgrade process.
Microsoft Volume Licensing customers may use their VL media bits and VL keys (MAK or KMS) for Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 to perform the downgrade and activate Windows. See the Microsoft reimaging rights how to for more info.
For scenarios involving large volume downgrades, end users are encouraged to consider VL which provides the benefits of reimaging rights and volume activation, which can make the process of downgrading much easier.
Step 4: FAQs
Q. We plan to downgrade from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 7 Pro. Do I need the OEM product key from my Windows 10 PC to downgrade?
A. Chances are if the downgraded Windows 7 Pro media/key will not activate properly. Yes you will need your Windows 10 Product key to prove you have the license rights to Windows 7 Pro. There are many 3rd party tools that can help pull the Windows 10 Product key before you downgrade.
A. Chances are if the downgraded Windows 7 Pro media/key will not activate properly. Yes you will need your Windows 10 Product key to prove you have the license rights to Windows 7 Pro. There are many 3rd party tools that can help pull the Windows 10 Product key before you downgrade.
Q. We’re licensed for Windows 10 Enterprise (LTSB), which edition of Windows can we downgrade to?
A. Downgrade rights for Windows 10 Enterprise include rights to previous versions of Windows, all the way back to Windows 95/98/NT. As noted above, Microsoft only provides the media for n-2 versions of Windows desktop OS. You may downgrade Windows 10 Enterprise to Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows Vista Enterprise.
A. Downgrade rights for Windows 10 Enterprise include rights to previous versions of Windows, all the way back to Windows 95/98/NT. As noted above, Microsoft only provides the media for n-2 versions of Windows desktop OS. You may downgrade Windows 10 Enterprise to Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows Vista Enterprise.
Q. We license our users with Windows Software Assurance per User, do Windows downgrade rights extend to all of the licensed user’s devices?
A. Yes. With Windows Software Assurance per User licensing, all of the user’s devices receive the same downgrade rights as they would if they were covered by Windows Software Assurance per Device.
A. Yes. With Windows Software Assurance per User licensing, all of the user’s devices receive the same downgrade rights as they would if they were covered by Windows Software Assurance per Device.
Q. I have devices licensed with the Home version of Windows 10, can they downgrade to Windows 7?
A. No. Windows 10 Home does not include downgrade rights.
A. No. Windows 10 Home does not include downgrade rights.
Q. We have mix Windows Software Assurance (SA) & Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) licenses, what OS can we use?
A. Downgrade rights for Windows SA & Windows VDA provide rights to previous versions of Windows 10 Enterprise to Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows Vista Enterprise. You also have rights all the way back to Windows 95/98/NT. But as noted above, Microsoft only provides the media for n-2 versions of Windows desktop OS.
A. Downgrade rights for Windows SA & Windows VDA provide rights to previous versions of Windows 10 Enterprise to Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows Vista Enterprise. You also have rights all the way back to Windows 95/98/NT. But as noted above, Microsoft only provides the media for n-2 versions of Windows desktop OS.
OEM & VL editions of Windows 10 Pro include downgrade rights to Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 7 Pro. Microsoft will only provide downgrade media and keys to Volume Licensing customers. If you are an OEM only customer, you will definitely want to pull your OEM product key before downgrading. Volume License customers will be given access to downgrade media/key to streamline the process.
This guide is not meant to replace the Microsoft Product Terms or Volume Licensing Briefs, it’s more of a supplemental how-to. Always refer to Microsoft official documentation on licensing. The resources section provides the official Microsoft terms and licensing guides.
Microsoft partners can help guide you through the process of purchasing the licensing. Reach out to me if you have any questions.
Published: Oct 30, 2015 · Last Updated: Nov 02, 2015
References
- Licensing brief: Downgrade rights
- OEM Windows 10 downgrade rights and process
- Windows 8.1 Pro downgrade process – Spiceworks How To
- Windows EULA (Software License Terms)
37 Comments
- CayenneCoreyN Oct 30, 2015 at 02:55pmWhat do you recommend to get downgrade rights to Windows 7 Ultimate?
- Ghost ChiliChris (Microsoft) Oct 30, 2015 at 03:03pm@CoreyN - you don't. There isn't a Windows OS license that will give you downgrade rights TO Windows 7 Ultimate. This is stated in the License brief: Downgrade rights (pg.4)
That said, Windows 7 Enterprise has identical features to Windows 7 Ultimate you can obtain downgrade rights to it via Windows 10 Enterprise. - CayenneCoreyN Oct 30, 2015 at 07:53pmChris - thank you for the clarification.
We have several Windows 7 Ultimate systems only because of the multi-monitor support for RDP. Win 7 Pro as a host didn't support that. - Ghost ChiliChris (Microsoft) Oct 30, 2015 at 07:56pmCompletely understand.. Win7 Enterprise does give you the support.. just in case you need it in the future.
- SonoraPhilip2304 Dec 21, 2015 at 07:28pmI have licensing for Win 10 Enterprise through the Volume Licensing Service Center. To downgrade to Win 7 Enterprise, would I use the Win 7 Ent or Win 10 Ent ISO from the VLSC? From this article, I'm assuming I'll use the Win 7 download. Could someone clarify this for me please?
- Ghost ChiliChris (Microsoft) Dec 21, 2015 at 07:52pm@Philip2304 - If you have Windows 10 Enterprise licensing through VL, you can downgrade to Windows 7 Enterprise using the media via VLSC. You wouldn't use Windows 10 Enterprise download on VLSC to downgrade, you would use Windows 7 Enterprise download via VLSC to obtain the media for deployment.
- SonoraPhilip2304 Dec 21, 2015 at 08:48pm@Chris. That's what I thought. Thanks for the clarification. Much appreciated!
- Pimientoerikdeley Dec 29, 2015 at 07:30pm@Chris, I have just bought 4 DELL PC's with Win10Pro OEM preinstalled. How can I make use of this downgrade right. I created a USB installation medium from the Microsoft site, and install win8.1pro. But the BIOS embedded product key doesn't allow activation. Any idea??
- Ghost ChiliChris (Microsoft) Dec 29, 2015 at 07:43pm@erikdeley You have to obtain the media and keys for Windows 8.1 Pro on your own. Microsoft will provide the Volume License Key for Windows 8.1 if you have a VL of Windows 10 Pro, but if you only have OEM licenses, you will need to obtain the media/key from other sources. More info here: http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/downgrade_rights.aspx
- Pimientoerikdeley Dec 29, 2015 at 08:12pm@Chris Thanks for the reply. So what is the 'right'? That I am allowed to buy a win8.1 pro license on top of the win10 pro license I already have? What's so special about it? :-(
- Ghost ChiliChris (Microsoft) Dec 29, 2015 at 08:18pm@erikdeley - you can use media from any source. You don't have to repurchase any new licensing, you just need to find the previous media in which you want to install. Microsoft will give it to you if you have a VL agreement, but if you only have an OEM license - you're 'on your own'...
- Pimientoerikdeley Dec 29, 2015 at 08:22pm@Chris Hmmmm... very sorry to hear that :-( That is not how I read your URL... It says OEM licenses are covered by the 'downgrade right' as well. (and I don't quite understand the 'previous media' you mention)
- Pimientoerikdeley Dec 29, 2015 at 08:31pmThe following OEM versions of Windows software are eligible for downgrade rights.Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 7Windows 10 Pro includes downgrade rights to:
Windows 8.1 Pro
Windows 7 ProfessionalWindows 8.1 Pro includes downgrade rights to:
Windows 7 Professional
Windows Vista BusinessWindows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate include downgrade rights to:
Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, or Windows XP x64 Edition - Ghost ChiliChris (Microsoft) Dec 30, 2015 at 02:13pm@erikdeley - per the link you must obtain the media on your own, if you're a VL customer Microsoft will provide it to you. See the downgrade process from the OEM site: https://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/downgrade_rights.aspx
Follow these steps to downgrade to an earlier version of Windows software:
•Use genuine Windows media and a corresponding product key for the version of Windows that is eligible for downgrade. The media/key should come from a previously licensed product from the OEM or retail channel.
•End users who are licensed separately through Microsoft Volume Licensing (VL) may provide their VL media and key to a system builder to facilitate the downgrade on their own systems. - DatilAngus S-F Jan 12, 2016 at 03:57amDon't forget to check the manufacturer's website for drivers for older OSes before starting any downgrading...
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