Although Windows 7 is undoubtedly the best version of Windows to run on modern hardware a lot of our customers have legacy systems and software that still require Windows XP. For example they may have an existing render farm running Windows XP 64bit and keeping new systems that join the farm as XP64 just makes management that bit easier. We also have software that only runs on XP or Vista as the new versions have moved to Linux and OSX.

As Windows XP is no longer available to purchase. (Any stock available online is the last, it has been out of distribution for sometime.) The only way to install XP onto a new system is via Microsoft's downgrade rights. The right to downgrade is set to run for 18 months after the release of Windows 7 (i.e. until April 2011) or until the first service pack is released.

More details of which versions are eligible can be found here:
         http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?pageid=552836

So once you have confirmed that you can downgrade how exactly do you get XP onto your system?

This process turns out to be relatively painless but is not documented in any great detail that I could find. I spoke to quite a few Microsoft personnel in various departments from distribution through to customer services and support. Finally a guy from OEM and Volume licensing explained this process very clearly, and he actively encouraged me to spread the word as they get hundreds of calls about this everyday.

So here it is:

How to get a downgrade licence from Windows 7 Pro OEM to Windows XP Pro OEM.

In order to downgrade you will need the following items:

Your new Windows 7 oem software and licence key

An existing Windows XP oem software disc and licence key
(If you do not have a suitable copy of XP I believe you can still purchase a media kit from Microsoft directly.)

Your new system.

A telephone.

Simply install your old copy of XP onto the new system to be downgraded using your existing product key.

Once you have Windows XP up and running you will have to activate the software.

Doing this online will not work as the Product Key will have been previously used and assigned to a different system.

Use the activation wizard and select the "telephone for activation" option.

The wizard will generate a unique activation code for your system.

Call the number for your country - in the UK the number is 0800 0188 354 choose option 1, press # and then * * * * and you will be connected to an operator rather than the automated system.

Explain that you are looking for a downgrade licence from Windows 7 to XP.

They will ask a series of questions to confirm that you have the correct software that is entitled to the downgrade.

Once confirmed they will issue the activation code for your software.

You can repeat this process as often as you like using your original XP licence providing you have the new Windows 7 licence for the system.

 

The process really could not be simpler and yet I could not find it documented on the Microsoft website. If I missed the link then please email me and I will update this article.

I hope that helps.