Server 2008 downgrade license

Microsoft explains the downgrade rights on the Windows Server Downgrade page. Chances are, the downgrade option doesn't impact your server practice too much, but it is nice to know to maintain correct licensing. Does the downgrade option make you feel as if you have more options? Share your comments in the discussion. Stay on top of the latest Windows Server and Windows Server tips and tricks with our free Windows Server newsletter, delivered each Wednesday.

Rick has years of IT experience and focuses on virtualization, Windows-based server administration, and system hardware. Some downgrade entitlements examples include the following: A purchase of Windows Server Standard entitles use of Windows Server Standard and Windows Server. The R2 release of Windows Server is also available. I know it might sound obvious but I wanted to check. I googled and couldn't find what Im looking for. With OEM R2 though you should be aware that there are virtual and physical keys, a physical key won't activate on a VM you'd need to use a virtual key.

It will be much less of a headache to buy a volume license, there's little to no cost savings in going OEM vs open license, it's a better investment since you can move the license on to new hardware down the line. Buy a volume license for or R2, even if you want to run R2 now the next time they need a new server they won't need to incur the cost of an OS.

Also yes, you do have downgrade rights to run two VMs of any prior version with your license. So you could install Windows r2 standard as a hyper-V host and two R2 standard VMs with your standard license.

I haven't seen any noticeable performance difference between a GUI or core install of a hyper-v host other than there are more patches but you're going to be installing patches and rebooting once a month anyway so it's not a big deal. You will need to contact Microsoft Licensing for both media and the R2 keys. The virtualization rights don't change though, you don't get 4"free" VMs for downgrading to R2, just the two VM instances that Windows Server Standard provides.

The ability to run downgrade bits does not change the licensing or support terms in which you can use the product; the purchased product Windows Server rights apply. This means that the license will continue to cover two physical processors and the virtualization rights do not change.

My question was more about licencing, not VMs. If I downgrade my licence do I have to use R2 as the hypervisor or do I keep the right to run on the physical machine after downgrading?

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Answered by:. Archived Forums. Windows Server General. Sign in to vote. Saturday, October 20, AM. Sunday, October 21, AM. This is completely incorrect. Monday, October 22, PM. Hi, the question for Microsoft is very simple. Friday, December 7, AM. The media should come from a prior legally licensed version from the OEM or Retail channels.

End users who are licensed separately through Microsoft Volume Licensing VL may provide their VL media and key to a system builder to facilitate the downgrade on their own systems. Insert the downgrade-eligible version of Windows media in the CD drive and follow the installation instructions.