Microsoft to Allow Win 7 Downgrades to Vista, XP

By Jane McEntegart
published

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.

Jane McEntegart
50 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Thank Goodness! Something good this morning Microsoft. Good job.
    Reply
  • thedipper
    I fail to understand why Microsoft is still allowing people to move to an old OS that's no longer a benefit to consumers.

    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.
    Reply
  • hairycat101
    thedipperI fail to understand why Microsoft is still allowing people to move to an old OS that's no longer a benefit to consumers.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?
    Reply
  • christop
    People need to put xp to bed.... It's over let xp go... lol
    Reply
  • trinix
    I'd agree with you all that xp should be put to rest, if M$ would just stop changing the UI everytime.

    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.
    Reply
  • Maxor127
    Yeah, it's kind of getting annoying how some people just can't let go of XP and Microsoft keeps catering to them to hold software technology back. XP had a good run, but it's over. I don't want to hear another two years about how much better XP is than Windows 7.
    Reply
  • hairycat101
    I agree totally that MS needs to stop forcing a change in UI. At least they should have a "clasic interface" so that if we don't like the new UI we can still use newer products with some level of comfort. I really don't understand why they don't have a "clasic" view their new products. Vista can be made to look a lot like XP. It takes some doing, but it is possible. The new office is HORRIBLE!!! It has no options to look like 2003 or earlier. Why they did that makes no since whatsoever.
    Reply
  • A Stoner
    thedipperI fail to understand why Microsoft is still allowing people to move to an old OS that's no longer a benefit to consumers.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.
    Reply
  • Tedders
    I can half-way understand downgrading to XP. People dont want to downgrade to Vista. Now, I think they should only do this for the first year or so of 7 being out. After that, its Windows 7 only... unless they screw it up like Vista (hope not).
    Reply
  • zak_mckraken
    hairycat101That's right! To hell with choice! We should force those lowly scum bag consumers to do what they're told!
    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.
    Reply