Microsoft Windows\Office Questions

[Tripredacus]

or get a Windwos 8/8.1 Pro and use your downgrade rights.

Downgrade Rights from Windows 8/8.1 still require the end-user have Windows 7 Media and a product key. No longer is it possible to phone into the Activation Center and they give you a product key to activate Windows 7 with like you could from Vista/7 to XP.

[jaclaz]

Downgrade Rights from Windows 8/8.1 still require the end-user have Windows 7 Media and a product key. No longer is it possible to phone into the Activation Center and they give you a product key to activate Windows 7 with like you could from Vista/7 to XP.

 

I believe this depends on the exact situation.

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=HvSiguYh4Ef

a copy of the Digital River .iso and the generic Windows 7 keys should do

At least from a logical point of view (which not necessarily reflects anything MS related ) if one needs a media AND key, it is not a downgrade, it is a reinstall (and as such it makes no sense to pay additionally the Windows 8/8.1 license as if you already have a valid media and key, you already payed for a "full" 7 license and you can install on the new piece of hardware fine. 

 

jaclaz

[Tripredacus]

I agree that it isn't really a downgrade if you have to use an existing Windows 7 license. Microsoft basically removed the downgrade ability for the OEM System Builder when Windows 8 came out and didn't really tell anyone how much it had changed.

Perform the downgrade process to the eligible downgrade product using the media/key from a genuine, previously licensed OEM or retail product.

The ISO from Digital River is fine, but the default (generic) key can't be activated. If someone wanted to buy a new PC and use old Windows 7, they would be better off buying one without an OS. I mean, that is an option for a customer but MS doesn't get any money that way.