Microsoft to allow Windows 7 users to downgrade to Vista or XP

Customers who buy Windows 7 will now have the option to downgrade not only to Windows Vista, but also to Windows XP. The news first came from AppleInsider who reported Microsoft has agreed for HP to extend the option of selling Windows XP on new PCs until April 31, 2010.

ZDNet’s Mary-Jo Foley contacted Microsoft for more details regarding the downgrade program. Microsoft confirmed that the program will be in effect and stated that this isn’t the first time they’ve allowed users to downgrade even further than its immediate predecessor. However, they refused to discuss the reasons for the April 31, 2010 due date. Despite AppleInsider claiming that downgrade rights will expire for other OEMs on July 31, 2009, HP said that Microsoft’s terms and conditions will remain the same across OEMs.

Currently, Microsoft only allows downgrades on Vista Business and Ultimate SKUs, which suggests that not every SKU will be available for a downgrade on Windows 7 as well.

This is a strange move by Microsoft since Windows 7 is being highly praised for doing so well even in its beta stages.

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. Read the rest at windows7center.com.