Microsoft Extends Downgrade Rights

By: William Armstrong (Contributing Editor)

Even with the tremendous success and popularity of Microsoft’s newest operating system, Windows 7, there are a number of PC users out there that are not ready to embrace change. These hold outs are users of the most popular operating system of all time, Windows XP. For those who have not yet upgraded to Windows 7, Microsoft has announced that they are extending the Downgrade rites for Windows XP until 2015.

This means that any new computer purchased with Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate will be eligible for a free downgrade to Windows XP Professional. Primarily, this change in policy is due to the large numbers of businesses that use Windows XP. Even though Microsoft has reported that some 65% of business have begun the transition to Windows 7, those who have not will continue to receive support for another 5 years.

This new policy will benefit home PC users as well. Microsoft has not limited this to just business users. Home users can purchase a brand new computer with one of the qualifying versions of Windows and take advantage of the downgrade themselves. Now those customers that choose to downgrade are missing out on a lot of features that makes Windows 7 great, but it is nice to know that you can get a new computer and still have the comfort and security of an old friend like XP.

via Ars Technica