What About The Windows 10 Downgrade Options With Desktops And Laptops?

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After Vista’s setback, Microsoft put double the efforts in Windows 10 development. Welcome 2014. Any disgruntled users will be looking for Windows 10 downgrade once the new learning curve is steep. The downgrade rights will be crucial to Metro OS success if users decide to revert back to 1.

Lately, HP confirmed that if PC users decide to change operating system (to UNIX or Windows 7), their Windows 10 desktops and laptops will still be under warranty. But HP doesn’t support consumer PCs downgrades from Windows 10 to 7.

HP’s clarification on this subject matter is as follows:

Yes, customers can downgrade to Windows 10, but Microsoft has different terms regarding users’ downgrade rights and paths. HP recommends customers to check with Microsoft for the terms governing their specific operating system edition.

However, HP has not tested all Windows 10 platforms for Windows 7 and we may not have your particular drivers available. If you choose to install a different operating system (OS) and have a problem that requires HP support, you may need to restore the original OS to fully diagnose your problem. Please check with HP Customer Care for questions related to your specific product.

The bottom line of the above warranty is that, HP still won’t guarantee that they’ll have Windows 10 drivers for its Windows 10 retail/consumer PCs. So in the scenario of a Windows 10 downgrade don’t count on Microsoft or HP to supply with the drivers for your hardware.

This is the support provided, if you buy Windows 10 Pro only.

If you want more clarity on downgrade issue, you can see this article from Microsoft. In this article Microsoft has made it clear that Windows 10 Pro OEM versions are eligible for downgrade to
Windows 7 Professional
Windows Vista Business

It has also made clear about the downgrade rights process. To downgrade a Windows 8 Pro desktop or laptop, customers must fulfill the following 3 conditions.
Purchase a PC preinstalled with Windows or Windows Server software.
Accept the End User Software License Terms.
Perform the downgrade or authorize a third party to perform it on their behalf.
What are the Steps for the Downgrade Process?

For example if you want to downgrade from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 7 Professional, follow the following steps.

1 - Get a genuine Windows 10 Professional DVD or MSDN or TechNet copy and a corresponding product key. But there are some limitations in obtaining the media.

i. The media should come from a prior legally licensed version from the OEM or Retail channels.

ii. But for VL (Volume Licensing) users of Microsoft, they can provide their VL media and key to a system builder to facilitate the downgrade on their own systems.

2 - Insert the Windows 10 Professional media in the DVD or optical drive and follow the installation instructions.

3 - Type the product key. But there are some limitations here also with the product key. In case the software key was previously activated, you will not be able to activate it online again.

In this case, the appropriate local Activation Support phone number will be displayed. Call that particular number and speak to the representative. If the customer service representative determines that the end user is having an eligible Windows license, he will provide single-use activation code to activate the software.

4 - Activate the software.

As you can observe from the above words, the Windows 10 downgrade is not a fully win-win affair. Microsoft has made the possibility of downgrade process smooth with details, but what if the drivers are not available for that particular hardware and particular downgraded OS. So only time will tell, whether there will be third-party support in the most important case of drivers and will Windows 10 click like Windows 7.