"Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...
> If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP
> uograde
> disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?
You can never do any kind of downgrade of Microsoft operating systems.
Downgrades are never supported.
So you can *not* downgrade from Vista to XP. However, if you own a copy of a
qualifying operating system (such as Windows 98) for an upgrade to XP, you
can use that with an XP Upgrade CD. Just do a clean installation of XP by
booting from the CD and deleting the existing partition by pressing "D" when
prompted, then creating a new one. You will be prompted to insert the
previous operating system's CD as proof of ownership.
Two additional points however:
1. If the machine comes with Vista, you may have trouble getting the XP
drivers you need for all its hardware.
2. The manufacturer may consider your warranty void if you change operating
system.
I recommend that you stick with Vista, but if you want XP, it's much better
to buy a machine that comes with XP.
--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup
Rickb54 wrote:
> If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an
> XP uograde disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?
In order to 'downgrade' - you must format and install Windows XP anew.
Since Windows Vista --> Windows XP is not an accepted upgrade path, unless
you have a Windows 9x, Windows MW, Windows 2000 CD laying around you can use
as qualifying media - you must have a full version of Windows XP to do a
clean install.
"Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...
> If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP
> uograde
> disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?
You actually have two questions here, one is the cost and the other is how
to do it.
Some versions of Vista, *not all of them*, do have downgrade rights. IIRC
it's limited to Business and Ultimate. The idea is that you do not, under
some circumstances, have to buy a new XP license.
But, there's a rather large "But".
*You* have to come up with the valid XP install media and key, and you then
have to contact Microsoft and convince them that you qualify, and then they
will (hopefully) send you activation codes for XP. However, there are
reports that this can take days or longer. Apparently, some CS reps won't
accept some XP install types (for example, if you've used an OEM version,.
you may be disallowed). It isn't a smooth process.
You can't use an XP Upgrade disk with Vista as the qualifier. You have to
present an older, qualifying version, like ME or 2000 (2000 will not work
with an XP Home upgrade disk).
If you don't want Vista, it's a *much* better idea to not get a system with
it in the first place. Most manufacturers still offer XP as an option at
purchase. You are *not forced* to take Vista.
If you do decide to downgrade, you will have to *first* verify that drivers
are available for all the hardware, and get them so that they can be
installed from CD or local disk as soon as XP finishes installing. You
can't go online to find them if the network card won't work.
You will have to wipe the drive at the start of the XP Install. Delete and
recreate the partition.
You may find it a somewhat better idea to get an entirely new hard disk, and
put the Vista disk away unmolested, so that you can just plug it in when
you're ready to use Vista.
But the best idea is to get what you need in the first place so you don't
have to spend a lot of time playing with the OS install.
On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:30:04 -0700, Rickb54
<Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP uograde
>disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?
You can buy an upgrade copy of XP if you have an older Windows or you
can buy an OEM XP version with a small hardware purchase. The OEM
version is probably less money at $70.
"Phisherman" <noone@nobody.com> wrote in message
news:0ugbd3151gmadtosn0pq5pnv8c94sspea3@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:30:04 -0700, Rickb54
> <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
>>If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP
>>uograde
>>disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?
>
> You can buy an upgrade copy of XP if you have an older Windows or you
> can buy an OEM XP version with a small hardware purchase. The OEM
> version is probably less money at $70.
I strongly recommend *against* buying OEM versions of Windows XP. Assuming
that he qualifies for the Upgrade version I recommend that instead, since it
usually costs only slightly more than an OEM version, and comes without the
OEM version's restrictions, the most severe of which is that once installed,
it can never legally be moved to another computer, even if the original one
dies.
--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup
Thanks for the info. I will look for a machine loaded with XP, since my
application software does not support Vista.
"Ken Blake" wrote:
> "Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...
>
> > If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP
> > uograde
> > disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?
>
>
> You can never do any kind of downgrade of Microsoft operating systems.
> Downgrades are never supported.
>
> So you can *not* downgrade from Vista to XP. However, if you own a copy of a
> qualifying operating system (such as Windows 98) for an upgrade to XP, you
> can use that with an XP Upgrade CD. Just do a clean installation of XP by
> booting from the CD and deleting the existing partition by pressing "D" when
> prompted, then creating a new one. You will be prompted to insert the
> previous operating system's CD as proof of ownership.
>
> Two additional points however:
>
> 1. If the machine comes with Vista, you may have trouble getting the XP
> drivers you need for all its hardware.
>
> 2. The manufacturer may consider your warranty void if you change operating
> system.
>
> I recommend that you stick with Vista, but if you want XP, it's much better
> to buy a machine that comes with XP.
>
> --
> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
> Please reply to the newsgroup
>
>
>
On Aug 29, 1:30 pm, Rickb54 <Rick...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP uograde
> disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?
Please read the 'fine print" in the warranty of the new machine, when
you purchase it. I have seen several "other" pre-installed Windows
(not Vista) where the warranty would not be "honored" if the Windows
Vista is removed.
"Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B908220F-1F19-4453-BC4B-4DABABCACBFB@microsoft.com...
>
> Thanks for the info. I will look for a machine loaded with XP, since my
> application software does not support Vista.
What software is that? Are you sure it won't run under Vista? Even in
compatibility mode?
--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup
> "Ken Blake" wrote:
>
>> "Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...
>>
>> > If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP
>> > uograde
>> > disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?
>>
>>
>> You can never do any kind of downgrade of Microsoft operating systems.
>> Downgrades are never supported.
>>
>> So you can *not* downgrade from Vista to XP. However, if you own a copy
>> of a
>> qualifying operating system (such as Windows 98) for an upgrade to XP,
>> you
>> can use that with an XP Upgrade CD. Just do a clean installation of XP by
>> booting from the CD and deleting the existing partition by pressing "D"
>> when
>> prompted, then creating a new one. You will be prompted to insert the
>> previous operating system's CD as proof of ownership.
>>
>> Two additional points however:
>>
>> 1. If the machine comes with Vista, you may have trouble getting the XP
>> drivers you need for all its hardware.
>>
>> 2. The manufacturer may consider your warranty void if you change
>> operating
>> system.
>>
>> I recommend that you stick with Vista, but if you want XP, it's much
>> better
>> to buy a machine that comes with XP.
>>
>> --
>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
>> Please reply to the newsgroup
>>
>>
>>
"Rickb54" <Rickb54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C1DBCEF7-BB94-4D20-8FAE-588C86DA4B2F@microsoft.com...
> If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I downgrade to XP using an XP
> uograde
> disk, or do I need a full copy of XP?
It depends. If you are a cheapskate like me, you probably want M$ or your
computer's mfg to just give you a free key/license for WXP and let you
install with a friend's WXP installation CD. Example:
There may be different rules for OEM and Non-OEM Vista downgrade rights. I
thought I had two separate URLs, but can only find the one right now.
Some computers with Vista preinstalled don't have WXP drivers, or may have
their BIOS optimized for Vista and online support chat recommend not running
WXP. Example:
Vista Downgrade 
Linear Mode
