You have a business and you need to purchase a new computer. You've probably already noticed it's harder and harder to purchase Windows 7 computers now. Many businesses decided to go ahead and purchase Windows 8 computers and just downgrade them to Windows 7. This way they can take advantage of Windows 8 when they're ready to, but can keep running 7 for now because it's easily compatible with their current software and their staff already knows how to use it.
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Downgrade rights are only available on Windows 8 Pro, not Home - meaning almost never on a entry-level computer.
- If you DO downgrade, you can only downgrade to Windows 7 Professional or Windows Vista Business. There is no downgrade to Windows XP or other versions of 7 or Vista.
- The benefit to downgrading is it allows you to reinstall or upgrade that computer back to Windows 8 at any time for no additional cost.
- Windows 8 computers won't run some of your standard software. For example, if you're still running QuickBooks 2012 or earlier (which many businesses are) you will be forced to upgrade all your QuickBooks computers to Quickbooks 2013 because Windows 8 won't run anything older.
- You might not be able to downgrade to Windows 7 because of hardware problems. Many of the Windows 8 computers are using completely new technology, so there was never a need to build Windows 7 drivers for their components. When you put Windows 7 on that computer, you might not have a working mouse, keyboard, video card, or wireless adapter.
If you purchase Windows 8 because you've heard you can downgrade, you've probably been misled. Microsoft partners like us (or any other IT firm) CAN purchase versions of Windows 8 that have downgrade rights, but the consumer or business owner generally can't do so in a retail store, or even easily online.
You can thank the countless hackers out there who have been hacking licenses for years. Microsoft finally got fed up and found a way to defeat piracy in Windows 8 for store-bought computers. They simply hard-coded the windows 8 certificate of authenticity into the computer's guts so you can't get to it.
How it works:
Windows 8 doesn't give you the code needed to enter at this screen.
If you want to downgrade to Windows 7 Pro or Windows Vista Business, you'll need two things. First you need the media itself - the DVD or CD-Rom to install the operating system. You also need the Windows 8 "key" - also called the COA or Certificate of Authenticity. That's the little sticker that contains the 25-digit code. Guess what? It's not there. That key is the part they've now hard coded into your new computer's hardware.
What does this mean?
In short it means you're out of luck until you purchase a legal copy of Windows 7 Professional with a certificate of authenticity. If you're going to do that, you need to plan on spending another $299.00 to purchase a valid copy. Notice I said Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL, not Home or Home Premium.
- No, you can't use the sticker from your old Dell or HP computer. It won't activate. Those are OEM keys, not retail. You need a retail key.
- Yes you COULD have a computer guy hack you a copy and get it running, but then you'll be running an illegal copy - which is a $20,000 fine if you get caught AND you'll lose your options to upgrade back to Windows 8 as well and you'll still need to purchase another copy of that later.
How do I know how to proceed then?
Find yourself a trusted advisor. That's what companies like Twisted Networx exist for - to advise you on technology needs and to help you achieve them for the least cost with the most return on your investment. It is our job to know the right questions to ask in order to give informed advice on how to grow your business. It's a painless process that can usually be performed with a quick telephone call. With a few questions we can quickly understand your network, what programs you use, how you use them, and then respond with advice keyed to your specific business.
Don't get caught unprepared for technology hurdles. Asking a few questions from a professional BEFORE you purchase can save you many hours of headache and also help your business financially. Contact us today.
