Andre Yoskowitz
12 Jul 2010 23:06
Microsoft has extended the downgrade period for Windows XP until 2020, allowing owners of some Windows 7 versions to "downgrade" to the aging operating system if they choose to.
In the past, Microsoft killed off downgrade rights within months of releasing a new OS, so the new move is somewhat surprising.
Microsoft had limited 7-to-XP downgrades to six months when 7 was released, but extended the rights almost immediately after. It changed the date until July 2010, but that day has now come and gone, with Microsoft doing the lengthy extension.
The new downgrade rights are for users of Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, who can downgrade to XP Pro.
"Our business customers have told us that the removing end-user downgrade rights to Windows XP Professional could be confusing," adds Microsoft spokesman Brandon LeBlanc.
Furthermore, downgrade rights are only available on OEM copies of Windows 7, meaning it had to have come pre-installed on your new PC.
"Going forward, businesses can continue to purchase new PCs and utilize end-user downgrade rights to Windows XP or Windows Vista until they are ready to use Windows 7," LeBlanc concluded.