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OEM Windows Server 2025 licenses can have downgrade rights, but the downgrade is a licensing right, not a separate Windows Server 2022 OEM product key that can be generated or issued automatically.
Key points and actions:
- Downgrade is governed by license terms
- Downgrade rights depend on how the license was acquired (OEM vs Volume Licensing vs FPP). For OEM Windows obtained with a device, downgrade rights are defined in the OEM license terms and the general downgrade rights brief.
- Downgrade rights allow installing and activating a prior version (for example, Windows Server 2022) while remaining licensed under Windows Server 2025.
- Media and keys for the downgraded version
- OEM downgrade does not typically provide a new OEM key for the older version. Instead, valid media and keys for the prior version must be obtained through appropriate channels (for example, Volume Licensing if the organization has it, or OEM support if they provide downgrade media/keys as part of their offering).
- Volume Licensing customers can obtain product keys for reimaging and downgrade purposes from the Volume Licensing portal, under the agreement that grants those rights.
- What to do in this scenario
- Contact the OEM or reseller that sold the Windows Server 2025 OEM licenses and request:
- Confirmation of downgrade rights from Windows Server 2025 OEM to Windows Server 2022.
- Access to appropriate Windows Server 2022 installation media and activation method supported for OEM downgrade (this may involve using VL media/keys if the organization has a Volume Licensing agreement, or OEM-provided downgrade media).
- If the organization also has Volume Licensing, work with the Volume Licensing Administrator to:
- Add or verify the agreement in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- Retrieve Windows Server 2022 keys and media under that agreement for reimaging/downgrade, in line with reimaging and downgrade rights.
- Contact the OEM or reseller that sold the Windows Server 2025 OEM licenses and request:
- Support and licensing guidance
- For detailed confirmation of downgrade rights and how to obtain keys/media in this specific OEM scenario, contact the OEM and/or Microsoft Volume Licensing Support as appropriate.
References: