Microsoft Gives Windows XP Extra Life

• Author: admin
• Filed under: Tech News
• Date: Oct 3,2008

Microsoft has caved in to OEMs again. You probably know that the “Downgrade Rights” policy available to OEMs allows them to supply a Windows XP system image CD along with the computer, if you buy either Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate. Some, such as Dell, will even “pre-downgrade” your system before shipping, saving you the manual labor. This was scheduled to disappear as of January 31st, 2009. But Microsoft has bowed to pressure, and now says the policy will continue until July 31st of 2009.

In an emailed statement, Microsoft said:

“As more customers make the move to Windows Vista, we want to make sure that they are making that transition with confidence and that it is as smooth as possible. Providing downgrade media for a few more months is part of that commitment, as is the Windows Vista Small Business Assurance program, which provides one-on-one, customized support for our small-business customers.”

And they said it with a smile, albeit forced, right?

However, the Jan. 31st date as the last day for system builder to be able to purchase Windows XP licenses to install on the machines they assemble still exists. It has not changed, Microsoft added.

Windows XP followed Bill Gates into semi-retirement at the end of June. Sice then only installs on netops and netbooks, those for companies with Volume License Agreements, and the “Downgrade Rights” policy — along with pre-existing stock of retail copies of Windows XP — have allowed Windows XP to continue “to live.”

With the extension, however, Microsoft finds itself in a strange position. With the possible exception of just a few months, it is continue to sell a predecessor to their current OS nearly until the time their newer OS (Windows 7) launches.

This might even allow companies to completely skip Windows Vista, something Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said might be the “natural course” of upgrades. At a conference before France’s CIGREF on Thursday, he noted that, and even made (perhaps?) a Freudian slip.

The one thing I am not saying to people they should do is run out and upgrade all of their old PCs today, because I think there’s more of a natural flow. If you’re prepared to do it, you should do it — I would say you should get ready to do it with XP – or sorry, with Vista, but then depending on the timing you might wait for Windows 7.