Downgrade Rights for Microsoft Volume Licensing
Volume Licensing brief
Downgrade rights for Microsoft Volume Licensing, OEM, and full-package product licenses
This brief applies to all Microsoft Volume Licensing programs.
Table of Contents
Summary .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 What’s New in this Brief ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Details ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
Summary
This licensing brief helps explain the downgrade rights for the most commonly acquired systems License Terms granted by Microsoft Volume Licensing programs and how they compare with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and retail fullpackage product (FPP) license rights.
What’s New in this Brief?
This brief replaces a previous version published in February 2011. Significant changes in this brief include updates to reflect Windows 8.
Details
Microsoft Volume Licensing agreements include references to specific rights to use any prior versions of Microsoft licensed software. These rights are often referred to as “downgrade rights.” Microsoft distinguishes between the term “version” and “edition” when referring to product licenses. The term “edition” means different functional offerings within a product family that are usually released simultaneously (for example, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 and Microsoft Office Standard 2010). The term “version” refers to
Downgrade rights for Microsoft Volume Licensing, OEM, and full-package product licenses
This brief applies to all Microsoft Volume Licensing programs.
Table of Contents
Summary .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 What’s New in this Brief ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Details ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
Summary
This licensing brief helps explain the downgrade rights for the most commonly acquired systems License Terms granted by Microsoft Volume Licensing programs and how they compare with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and retail fullpackage product (FPP) license rights.
What’s New in this Brief?
This brief replaces a previous version published in February 2011. Significant changes in this brief include updates to reflect Windows 8.
Details
Microsoft Volume Licensing agreements include references to specific rights to use any prior versions of Microsoft licensed software. These rights are often referred to as “downgrade rights.” Microsoft distinguishes between the term “version” and “edition” when referring to product licenses. The term “edition” means different functional offerings within a product family that are usually released simultaneously (for example, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 and Microsoft Office Standard 2010). The term “version” refers to