Downgrading 2008/2012 Server CALs to 2003

Liquidfox · 26 Jun 2013 at 16:05

We're buying a bunch of device CALs through volume license and need to downgrade them to 2003. I know I'm able to downgrade them, but I don't know how. Every document I find just says that I'm allowed to exercise my downgrade rights in order to use them, but never says how.

I used to have an email address for some licensing part of MS that I could email over the CALs along with proof of purchase and a few days later I'd get those highly sort after 25-character product keys. It's been years since I've used it though and I've since changed employers. I can't find it for the life of me!

Does anyone have any ideas on how I'd actually go about obtaining these keys in exchange for our online purchase? We have access to our VLSC portal.

Nikumba · 26 Jun 2013 at 16:45

If they are device CAL's you just need to have a record of them, you do not need to input them.

If they were Client CAL's then that is different.

We certainly had no issues buying 2012 device CAL's for our 2003 domain

Kimbie

covenantuk · 26 Jun 2013 at 16:55

Downgrade simply means you can use the lower version. If you have access to the VLSC portal you should have VLKs for all products.

I can download a key for every product Microsoft produce from the VLSC, but it's up to me/my employer to ensure we've bought licenses for them. So, in your case we'd buy the 2012 license then just go and install the lower version using the VLK from VLSC.

Yamahahahahaha · 27 Jun 2013 at 09:59

CALs are no longer actual products like they used to be. In 2003 (and R2?) CALs came in little packs of 5 and you put the key into your OS, or bought them through your volume license agreement and again, put them into your OS.

Current CALs are run on 'goodwill', ie, there is no key or anything to enter. Microsoft will definitely kick your ass if you're audited and not fully compliant, especially if they think it's intentional.

Nikumba · 27 Jun 2013 at 10:01

Yamahahahahaha said:
CALs are no longer actual products like they used to be. In 2003 (and R2?) CALs came in little packs of 5 and you put the key into your OS, or bought them through your volume license agreement and again, put them into your OS.

Only SBS and Client CAL's were like that, device CAL's were not