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Windows Server Licenses purchased with CSP & Downgrade Rights

Anonymous
2024-03-07T06:04:15+00:00

Hello, We are a CSP Partner and there is a customer requirement we have received and it includes below. Offering Windows Server 16 core pack is no issue here but the 2nd option is unavailable in pricing lists in CSP as well. When I have gone through the articles Downgrade rights are available for Windows Server licenses which are purchased through CSP. When I have checked in the portal as well, we can switch between the different versions as in 2022, 2019 and 2016. The question here is, is it necessary to have the 2nd option license for the downgrades or any other alternative?

Windows Server 2022 Standard (16 core) - English (factory installed)
Windows Server Standard 2022 to 2019 Downgrade Kit-Multilanguage
Windows for business | Windows Server | Devices and deployment | Licensing and activation

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-03-08T06:27:18+00:00

    Hello!

    I can confirm that Windows Server licenses purchased through CSP do come with downgrade rights, which means that you can switch between different versions such as 2022, 2019, and 2016.

    Regarding the second option license for the downgrade kit, it is not necessary to have that specific license. You can use any valid license for the version you want to downgrade to. For example, if you want to downgrade from Windows Server 2022 to 2019, you can use a valid Windows Server 2019 license.

    I hope this information helps.

    Best Regards,

    Hania Lian

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-06-04T11:08:10+00:00

    hi team, can you please share the process ?

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-12-05T04:16:10+00:00

    Hello,

    Our customer purchase Windows Server 2025 CALs and ask if they can downgrade to previous version 2019 CALs for usage?

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-12-05T17:50:46+00:00

    Hello,

    Our customer purchase Windows Server 2025 CALs and ask if they can downgrade to previous version 2019 CALs for usage?

    yes! I would like to know the answer to this question too. as it relates to Perpetual CSP licensing. Historically, Open Value has downgrade rights to any version as long as you still have the media available (Microsoft only provides N +2 versions back).

    My customer would like to buy Perpetual CSP. To the best of my knowledge, Perpetual CSP has also only been N +2, but I saw a note on a Microsoft Perpetual CSP website that said:

    The comment about Per N+1 had me concerned. I had never heard that before. Looking forward to the Microsoft reply!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-08T10:57:31+00:00

    Hi Xiuyun Lian,

    thanks for your reply, but... there are different pieces of information from different Microsoft sources.

    First of all, the extract from the Microsoft Customer Agreement related to the Cloud Service Provider programme:

    MCA extract

    ‘f. Restrictions. Except as expressly permitted in this agreement or product documentation, Customer will not (and is not licensed to):

    [...]

    (v) upgrade or downgrade parts of a product at different times;’

    Microsoft Learn

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/customers/csp-on-premises-software

    In a note field

    ‘In the CSP, we fulfil downgrade rights for the previous versions.’

    and last but not least,

    your statement

    ‘I can confirm that Windows Server licences purchased through the CSP come with downgrade rights, which means you can switch between different versions such as 2022, 2019 and 2016.’

    Conclusion

    Unfortunately, there is no clear evidence in Microsoft's licence terms.

    There is a reference to lower editions, but no mention of downgrading.

    And from my point of view, the topic should be further subdivided into

    • Legally - Licence terms

    What are the options for downgrading?

    • Technically - Deployment

    Up to which version of Windows Server is deployment done via the Microsoft Admin Center?

    Question

    What should we recommend to our customers in connection with Windows Server licensing with CSP when they ask us about downgrading?

    Kind Regards
    Olli Leckebusch

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