Microsoft to Allow Win 7 Downgrades to Vista, XP
Microsoft officials have confirmed that it, along with PC partners will allow users of its upcoming Windows 7 the option to downgrade to both Windows Vista as well as Windows XP.
The last few days have been fraught with rumors that Microsoft will be offering users the opportunity to downgrade to Windows XP. Those who don’t like the look of Windows 7 and are afraid it's their only alternative can rest easy; ZDNet asked Microsoft for a little clarification and the a spokesperson revealed that XP would also be on offer when it came to downgrades.
When asked if Microsoft had downgrade rights for Windows XP planned as part of Windows 7, the Redmond company responded with a resounding yes. The spokesperson went on to detail that this would not the first time that Microsoft has offered downgrade rights to a version other than its immediate predecessor and the company’s volume-license customers can always downgrade to any previous version of Windows.
Microsoft also noted that the terms and conditions for OS downgrades were consistent across all OEMs and would not be cutting deals with individual companies. Read the full statements on ZDNet.
Businesses should be able to use XP, but I believe a consumer should not. Really, it's just ending up being an extra driver that needs to be written for everything, and that slows down driver releases.
Preventing people from using XP would be promoting education and thinking for one's self. 2 things most of the world just can't muster anymore.
Learn the OS, don't trash it based on hearsay.
That's right! To hell with choice! We should force those lowly scum bag consumers to do what they're told!
Second thought... this isn't China or cuba or some other dictatorship... is it?
Most users aren't waiting for another change in the UI. It's a good thing they didn't change too much from the vista look, but vista look already scares a few people. Others don't see an advantage to the eyecandy vista is offering and would rather use the XP interface. Not just or not even for speed of the system, but just because they are used to it.
imho same with the office. M$ keeps forcing new UI's we don't want, some might, but some really don't. This is just a way they try to prevent users from pirating old xp cd's or changing to linux, not that a lot will change to linux yet.
I fail to understand why people like you have to think that one size fits all. Why do we have trucks when people can drive cars, why have cars when people can use motorcycles, why have motorcycle when people can simply walk around? Sorry, but Windows Vista does not in any way shape or form benifit me as a customer. I do not want alot of stress from using my computer, and I have to say, the nagging nanny software that Microsoft put together called Windows Vista is just that, a nagging nanny that stresses me out for any and all tasks. Setting up network, a pain the the ass. Installing programs, a pain in the ass. Finding the simplest of task programs, a pain in the ass. The search, another pain. UAC, do not even get me started on how much a LOATHE that feature. Windows 7, no matter how much your devotion to your releigion of loving it is, does not much improve on Vista. UAC still there, same search feature, same layout for trying to configure your network settings. Same nagging nanny questions everytime you try to install a program, run a program or change any setting on the computer that marginally affects the "system". Go buy your copy of Vista and Windows 7 and stop your moaning about how, because you are happy with it, everyone MUST comply.
I think Microsoft have all the rights to decide if or not they should continue to offer and support XP (or Vista, for that matter). However, they certainly can't stop anyone with a legal retail version of XP to install it on their new machine though. It's their software after all.
If want freedom of choice, buy yourself a retail version or go Linux.
If you are a Gold Partner, you receive a key that enables you to do as many downgrades as you like without the fear of "I'm sorry, we could not verify this installation". I won't go into details about the other alternative for those who aren't Gold status, but I will say it is very arduous and time consuming.
My only hope is they figure out a better protocol for retailers, making the service a more effective business tool for retailers.
Just my opinion.
i mean theres no reason to upgrade unless your still using parts from '04 and have no spare cash to upgrade... than you probably won't have spare cash to buy the OS anyhow.
If only you knew what DRM in an OS even does...
You missed a word.
Enlighten us.
Right idea, but I don't think they care about cannibalization. They're in it for market share.
Learn to use a computer.
MS is selling a product. That's their business. If you don't like the product, use a different one.
If you want to degrade to a product that's older and inferior to their current offering, that's fine by them. Whatever it takes to keep you on the bus. MS would rather you keep using Windows, regardless of whether it's XP, Vista, Win7, etc, as long as you're not switching to Linux or OSX.