Downgrading to XP Pro 32bit

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Rich - 01 Mar 2007 04:44 GMT

I think I made a mistake in getting the 64 bit version. I have been told
that it is possible to downgrade. Can I use the same product key with a 32
bit version of XP pro? If not does anyone know the procedure for downgrading?

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Rich - 01 Mar 2007 05:38 GMT

After doing some more reading let me clarify. This is not a preinstalled or
OEM version. I built a new system and purchased this x64 license myself. I
have been told by the field support group at my office that they have been
allowed to downgrade licenses, but I didn't have time to find out the
procedure that they use. I am not even sure that it would apply to me
anyway. What I would want is to be able to either trade in this license or
get a none-license key version of x32 and use the same key if that is
possible.

> I think I made a mistake in getting the 64 bit version. I have been told
> that it is possible to downgrade. Can I use the same product key with a 32
> bit version of XP pro? If not does anyone know the procedure for downgrading?

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Charlie Russel - MVP - 01 Mar 2007 07:15 GMT

No, you can't downgrade or re-key your version. There are no such rights for
retail versions or for OEM versions. (and your XP x64 must be OEM, since
there are no retail XP x64 editions.) Only corporate (volume license)
versions are treated as downgradeable.

You will need to buy a new copy of XP. You should install it into a clean
partition - do not attempt to overwrite your existing installation without
formatting it first.

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Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64

> After doing some more reading let me clarify. This is not a preinstalled
> or
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>> bit version of XP pro? If not does anyone know the procedure for
>> downgrading?

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