I understand the frustration associated with having your cheese moved. But it is true the new UI is generally well liked because most workflows require 10-20% less clicks to complete. Users can also customize the menus/toolbars and create custom actions.
OCR: Click Tools > Enhance Scans and select a file.
You do not have to register the product by user email. Simply use the Wizard to license, activate, accept the EULA on behalf of users, etc., and then deploy.
I don't know about downgrading. I think it's possible. Perhaps someone else on this list knows the answer.
Ben