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Microsoft Server Licensing - Downgrade Rights
Published on 9th December 2019 by Fiona Wilby
With Microsoft Server 2016 licensing phasing out in favour of Server 2019, we are often asked if it is possible to downgrade 2019 to the required version. The answer is yes, and here is a handy guide so you can see exactly what is and isn't possible.
Many Microsoft products, including Windows Server, include downgrade rights to earlier versions of the software. This is handy if you or your customers are not quite ready to run the 2019 versions yet; they may have older hardware that cannot support the new software. Once you are ready to upgrade, the migration process to upgrade is simple, so buying the latest version can save you time and money. Client Access Licenses are also downgrade-able, and it is also possible to down-edition, which means you can downgrade through editions (Datacenter-Standard-Essentials). Please note this is only for certain products, please refer to manufacturer product license terms.
Down-Edition rights:
Microsoft allow you to downgrade through editions. If you have Datacenter, you can downgrade to Server standard and essentials. If Standard, you can downgrade to essentials.
Downgrade rights for versions:
You are able to downgrade 2019 to the two previous versions - 2016 and 2012 R2. Please note, the downgrade rights for 2012 R2 are no longer availabel to purchase, so this is only possible if you already have these.
General purchasing rules:
If you are purchasing a new server, you can buy OEM (Microsoft) software which can be used on any brand of server and include downgrade rights. If you want to downgrade however, you must have the previous media kits already, as these are not available to purchase.
Certain manufacturers (HPE, Dell, Lenovo and Fujitsu) offer Reseller Option Kits, which are BIOS locked to that specific manufacturer. These ROK kits can be purchased at a better price, but are only available with the purchase of a new server. The ROK kits also may offer downgrade right and media kits for downgrade if you do not already have them. HPE for example offer downgrade media at the time of purchase, or afterwards, if the customer can provide a proof of purchase of the ROK showing the physical 5x5 Windows Server product key. These can be fulfilled one at a time. Please contact the manufacturer directly for more information about their procedures.
The other option is to purchase the server software and license through the Microsoft Open License Program. These can be purchased at any time, and the downgrade rights (2016 onwards) are available via the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). We can supply these licenses too, and set up for the VLSC is quick and easy.
Client Access Licenses:
These are required to license your server software. There are two types:
Device CAL: This is assigned to a device, and allows multiple users to access this device.
User CAL: This is assigned to a user, and allows that user to access multiple devices.
These CALs are also able to be downgraded, to match the version you are downgrading to.
We can also supply server remote software and CALs, please contact us for more information or if you have any questions.
References:
file:///C:/Users/FionaWilby/Downloads/downgrade_rights%20(4).pdf