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Licensing Query: Downgrade Rights clarity on Active SQL Server Subscription purchased via CSP

Prakash Gurung 0 Reputation points
2025-11-12T22:38:13.79+00:00

Hi,

I have been trying to get something official reference that explicitly confirms the Downgrade Rights for CSP Subscriptions, specifically as an example: Active subscription purchased via CSP for 'SQL Server Standard 2022 - 2 core license pack - 1 Year'. If i wanted to let's say use SQL Server standard 2016, would my entitlement of Active subscription in place, purchased via CSP for 'SQL Server Standard 2022 - 2 core license pack - 1 Year' grant me the Downgrade Rights to use SQL Server standard 2016?

Thanks.

SQL Server | Other
SQL Server | Other

Additional SQL Server features and topics not covered by specific categories

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Answer recommended by moderator

Erland Sommarskog 135K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2025-11-13T15:33:46.5633333+00:00

Yeah, the challenge with licensing is to chase around until you find a person that says what you want to hear. And that person carries enough weight when you are license-audited, and the auditor does not agree.

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  1. Erland Sommarskog 135K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-11-12T22:46:51.3766667+00:00

    I am under the impression that you can always use an older version for your license. Typically, the old version is no longer on sale, when the new comes out.

    However, this is a technical forum, and you cannot get any authoritative answer on legal matters, neither from techies like me or the AI. If you want response you can trust, you will need to talk to your reseller or your local Microsoft contact.

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  2. AI answer

    2025-11-12T22:39:04.24+00:00

    Yes, if you have an active subscription for SQL Server Standard 2022 purchased via the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program, you are entitled to downgrade rights. This means you can use SQL Server Standard 2016 as part of your active subscription. The CSP program allows for downgrade rights to previous versions of software, typically following the n-1 or n-2 policy for most products, including SQL Server.


    References:

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