Taking advantage of the downgrade rights in Windows XP Professional

The release of Microsoft`s Windows XP Professional has provided users with a new feature that allows legacy OS users, as well as users operating illegal copies of other Microsoft operating systems, the ability to buy tomorrow`s technology at today`s prices - and legalise their existing software at the same time.

The Windows XP Professional End-User Licence Agreement (EULA) provides "downgrade rights" for end-users, permitting them to continue to use Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), Windows NT Workstation 4.0 or Windows 2000 Professional.

According to Justin Agar, Microsoft Product Manager at local Microsoft DSP distributor, Axiz, the software legalisation issue is one that is heating up, and users should be aware that the BSA (Business Software Alliance) is taking it very seriously.

"Often, the user is not aware that he does not have a legal copy of his OS," he says. "For example, a home user might buy a PC at a `special price`, only to find out later that the software is loaded but does not arrive with the PC on CD, or there is no COA (certificate of authenticity) sticker stuck to the chassis."

The sensitive issue of "hard disk loading" - that is, reloading the same software using a single licence on many PCs - is one that is commonly found, both in the SOHO and large corporate worlds. As this is illegal, it puts the company or individual at risk of prosecution by the BSA or the copyright holder for software piracy.

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"However, many users or companies don`t necessarily want to upgrade to Windows XP, as their systems are only due for upgrades at a later stage because of existing system compatibilities, or in the case of corporates, large-scale plans for hardware upgrades at a future date," says Agar. "So therefore, for example, these users might prefer to continue using the previous-generation systems such as Windows 2000 for the present - and yet if their installations are illegal, it puts them at risk."

These users can protect themselves - and legally continue to run their existing systems, by purchasing a copy of Windows XP Professional and making use of the downgrade rights. "This is the first time that Microsoft has made this feature available, and it is not an option with earlier systems such as Windows 2000, Windows NT, or Windows 98 SE," says Agar. "By purchasing the Windows XP Professional licence, the user is protected legally and can continue to run the previously-installed software, provided it is either Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000 Professional or Windows NT Workstation. There is no requirement to make an additional purchase of the existing software in order to legalise."

Agar outlines another scenario that affects many corporates - that of a planned software roll-out. "For example, a user has recently completed migration to Windows 2000 Professional and will continue to use this operating system after March 2002," he explains. "A custom image of Windows 2000 Professional was created using a preinstall image as a base. We recommend that the customer begin purchasing Windows XP Professional licences, using the downgrade rights to deploy the customised Windows 2000 Professional image. These models can be upgraded to Windows XP Professional at a later date at no additional cost."

The benefit of the "downgrade rights" feature, says Agar, is that companies also buy tomorrow`s technology at today`s prices, and yet protect their ability to run their systems in a manner that best suits their business.