Downgrade rights

Microsoft offers downgrade rights to its users. Microsoft announces a renewed version of its products after a number of years, sometimes allowing for an upgrade. However, this new version may work very differently or not meet expectations. Therefore, Microsoft provides the option to revert to an older version.

What are Downgrade Rights?

With Downgrade Rights, users are given the option to downgrade to an earlier version of a software license that was previously used. Often, users can downgrade back to the extent that the product has existed, but there are certain conditions. The software version must exist in previous versions. Microsoft also distinguishes between editions and versions. The user can downgrade to an older version of the same edition of a software package but not to another edition. For example, Office 2019 Professional Plus can downgrade to Office 2016 Professional Plus, but not to Office 2016 Standard.

In general, companies can purchase newer versions with downgrade rights. Companies can use the current versions until they are ready to upgrade to a newer version. This way, they can spread the costs and prepare for the expenses and time required for migration. Another reason to downgrade to an older version is better compatibility.

Downgrade Rights: License Types

There are different types of licenses, and these can be categorized for downgrade rights. The license types where downgrade rights play a role are Commercial Licensing, OEM, and FPP. Below is a clear table showing what is possible for each category and license type.

Which Products Can Be Downgraded?

Microsoft products can be categorized into three different categories. These are mentioned above in the table: Application Software, System Software, and Server Software. Below, these categories will be linked to the respective products that fall under each category.

Application Software

Under the category of Application Software, products are understood to offer applications to the user. A good example is Microsoft Office, which is a software suite. The user can access applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, Outlook, and Publisher with Office. With a Professional Plus license, the user also has access to Teams and Access. It is possible to downgrade to an older version, but this depends on the Software License Agreement type. It can only be downgraded to an older version, and no distinction in editions can be made. When the user has a Professional Plus edition, for example, it cannot be converted to a Standard edition.

System Software

Under the category of System Software fall products that enable a system or device to operate. Think of Microsoft Windows. Windows is a graphical operating system that allows the user to have a virtual desktop environment on their computer. Windows is the most well-known operating system worldwide and currently one of the most standard operating systems found on devices. The most advanced version of Windows is Windows 11, which has undergone several changes compared to Windows 10. Since the versions of Windows change quite a bit in interface and usage, people often wait a bit before upgrading or even downgrade. After all, the operating system works differently, and downgrading is also certainly possible; it again depends on the Software License Agreement type. The same rules apply here. A Windows 11 Pro edition cannot be downgraded to a Windows 10 Home edition, but it can to a Windows 10 Pro edition.

Server Software

Under the category of Server Software, the products related to managing or configuring servers fall. Good examples are Windows Server or SQL Server. It is also possible to downgrade to an earlier version of SQL Server, but again it depends on the Software License Agreement type. If this is the case, the user is entitled to a downgrade of the server for a maximum of two earlier versions. When purchasing, for example, SQL Server 2022, the user can downgrade to SQL Server 2019 or SQL Server 2017. Users sometimes choose to downgrade because it better meets business needs or server requirements.

Downgrade Rights: Downgrading

To downgrade, there are several things the user needs to consider. For example, the user must hold a license under Microsoft's volume licensing program. This means the Microsoft license must be a volume license. When the user joins the Microsoft licensing program, the process is straightforward. The user only needs to request the older version of the purchased software from the distributor. The distributor will then provide a different key and a new installation medium.

Many people think it is possible to downgrade from one software version to another using the same activation key. However, each key can only activate one software version. This means a new activation key is needed to install the downgrade version. The user can utilize their downgrade rights at any time after purchasing a newer software license. When the user requests downgrade rights from their distributor, they receive a different key for the previous version and also other software to download. There are no additional costs associated with this, as the user has the right to downgrade granted by Microsoft and its distributors. This right, as previously mentioned, is part of the commercial licensing program.