Using Vista Product Key for XP

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Is it possible to use the product key from Vista on an XP install. I could
have sworn this worked for me at work when using a VLK key through our open
license.

Would the same be possible for a retail or oem copy of vista working on the
respective version of XP?

If any of this is possible, I have an oem product key for Vista Home Basic
on a newly purchased toshiba laptop. I would like to put XP on their
instead. Which version of XP would my oem vista home basic key work on if at
all?
 
tronsr71 said:
Is it possible to use the product key from Vista on an XP install. I
could
have sworn this worked for me at work when using a VLK key through our
open
license.

Would the same be possible for a retail or oem copy of vista working on
the
respective version of XP?

If any of this is possible, I have an oem product key for Vista Home Basic
on a newly purchased toshiba laptop. I would like to put XP on their
instead. Which version of XP would my oem vista home basic key work on if
at
all?
Click to expand...


It won't work.
 
tronsr71 said:
Is it possible to use the product key from Vista on an XP install.
Click to expand...


No. Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any
retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice
versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD,
and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail
product. An Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD.
Bottom line: Product Keys and CD types cannot be mixed & matched.

I could
have sworn this worked for me at work when using a VLK key through our open
license.
Click to expand...


You're most likely misremembering something else. It certainly
shouldn't have worked.

Would the same be possible for a retail or oem copy of vista working on the
respective version of XP?

No.


If any of this is possible, I have an oem product key for Vista Home Basic
on a newly purchased toshiba laptop. I would like to put XP on their
instead. Which version of XP would my oem vista home basic key work on if at
all?
Click to expand...


None, whatsoever. You'll have to purchase a license (Product Key) to
go with that WinXP CD.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
You're most likely misremembering something else. It
certainly shouldn't have worked.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, don't know about that, I seem to recall a VLK license allows
downgrading Vista to XP. Could that possibly what made it work?
 
XS11E said:
Hmmmm, don't know about that, I seem to recall a VLK license allows
downgrading Vista to XP. Could that possibly what made it work?
Click to expand...


The *license* permits a downgrade, but one is still required to use a
valid WinXP Product Key. (In affect, the Volume License's downgrade
rights permits the licensee to use one WinXP Product Key on multiple
machines.)



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
The *license* permits a downgrade, but one is still required
to use a valid WinXP Product Key. (In affect, the Volume
License's downgrade rights permits the licensee to use one WinXP
Product Key on multiple machines.)
Click to expand...

Aha! I didn't know that, thanks!
 
Bruce Chambers said:
The *license* permits a downgrade, but one is still required to use a
valid WinXP Product Key. (In affect, the Volume License's downgrade
rights permits the licensee to use one WinXP Product Key on multiple
machines.)
Click to expand...
Yes, this is essentially what I recall now. I must have have been mistaken,
as you said, and used a different product key. I did, however, reserve my
right to downgrade from vista to xp pro. With this in mind, I did a search
on "downgrading from vista to xp" and came across this helpful thread:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1425295&SiteID=17

Basically, I can do the same thing for an OEM version of vista, but it may
be a struggle obtaining a "new key" from microsoft when I call to activate xp.
 
XS11E said:
Aha! I didn't know that, thanks!
Click to expand...


You're welcome.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
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