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Question about windows 10 retail downgrade rights.

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user_12345a

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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hello,

Quick question here.

Windows 7, the 32 bit version needed to run 16 bit software natively is difficult if not impossible to find now.

Is it possible to purchase a windows 10 pro 32/64 bit retail copy for a new computer and downgrade it to 7 legally?

I found this https://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=wn8c4Pjv8uS, but it appears to only apply to large manufacturers.

I see new computers selling with 7, but only the 64 bit version. That leaves custom build the only option, not that brand name machines are good anyhow. What are people with legacy 16 bit software supposed to do, xp mode aside? blow spend thousands on new software?

10 is an abomination. don't even suggest using. so is vista, 8, 8.1. a shame motherboard manufacturers don't write xp drivers any more. the last good system Microsoft released.
 
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Colbyt

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#2 ·
Why not just go to Ebay and buy a full 32 bit version with a COA (license)? As I write this there are at least 7 offers there.
 
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J

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#10 ·
16 bit software? That was about the era of a Model A with a hand crank for a starter. I am surprised it even ran under Windows XP. Other OSs have been 64 bit for a lot longer than Window. UNIX since the 90s, Linux since the early 2000's . I am not sure what I could do with 16 bit software anymore. You could barely address enough memory to handle any kind of modern day image, document etc, but less run virus control etc. etc. OS manufacturers could build a translation layer, but for the 2 people in the world who would use it, it's hardly worth the effort.
 
G

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#13 ·
Deja-vue said:
Simply download the GWX-Control panel and never see the Win 10 Nag again.
Unless you want to.
Cheers,
:smile:
Click to expand...
Exactly. I had suggested to Jim that we need to work with Brink who runs Tenforums and the other like it, to help set up some tutorials on here and links to those kind of items.

I am running 10 on a Dell Inspiron 537s and have not had any major issues with it. I swap between 10 and Linux Mint on that box, because it is a testing unit.
 
Colbyt

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#17 ·
For those who may be on the fence regarding an upgrade; I started it only to be told that I would loose media center. Since I do use that I aborted the install.
 
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G

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#18 ·
Colbyt said:
For those who may be on the fence regarding an upgrade; I started it only to be told that I would loose media center. Since I do use that I aborted the install.
Click to expand...
There are better Media Centers then the neutered one that Microsoft created. There is also a work around to install Microsoft's Media Center if you really want to still use it.

http://www.redmondpie.com/install-windows-media-center-on-windows-10-heres-how-guide/

I use VLC on all of my machines to watch DVD's. Kodi & Plex are the two biggest used Media Center alternatives.
 
user_12345a

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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
jimn01 said:
16 bit software? That was about the era of a Model A with a hand crank for a starter. I am surprised it even ran under Windows XP. Other OSs have been 64 bit for a lot longer than Window. UNIX since the 90s, Linux since the early 2000's . I am not sure what I could do with 16 bit software anymore. You could barely address enough memory to handle any kind of modern day image, document etc, but less run virus control etc. etc. OS manufacturers could build a translation layer, but for the 2 people in the world who would use it, it's hardly worth the effort.
Click to expand...
The question i asked is not for my own purposes, just getting info.

It's easy say something like "who needs 16 bit software", but a lot of installers for software all the way up the early 2000s have 16 bit software or some 16 bit code somewhere.

Also, there are expensive customized business applications that literally cost thousands of dollars purchase.

Having to shell out thousands to replace something that works just because the tech industry doesn't support it is crazy.
 
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Deja-vue

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#20 ·
user_12345a said:
The question i asked is not for my own purposes, just getting info.

It's easy say something like "who needs 16 bit software", but a lot of installers for software all the way up the early 2000s have 16 bit software or some 16 bit code somewhere.

Also, there are expensive customized business applications that literally cost thousands of dollars purchase.

Having to shell out thousands to replace something that works just because the tech industry doesn't support it is crazy.
Click to expand...
Cheers to that post!
I got Customers who are running expensive Engraving Machines on....wait for it.....Windows 2000.
As long as these Engravers (Size of a Volkswagen) are running flawless, the Customers will not upgrade.
Some of these Engraving Boxes are upwards of $250.000.00
:surprise:
 
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