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XP Reprieve, Downgrade May Continue After Win7

Posted by kdawson on from the operating-system-that-would-not-die dept.

CWmike writes "Gregg Keizer reports that Microsoft acknowledged today it has 'broadened the options' for PC makers to continue offering Windows XP as a downgrade from Vista — and potentially even Windows 7. However, the company would not confirm specific reports that HP has been given the green light to sell new PCs with Windows XP Pro pre-installed through the end of April 2010. 'Windows XP went into semi-retirement in June 2008, when Microsoft stopped selling it at retail and withdrew Windows XP Home from use on all but netbooks, though it allowed XP Professional to be installed as a Vista downgrade. Since then, Microsoft has extended the final date it will sell XP Professional install media to large computer makers and smaller systems builders to July 31, 2009, and May 30, 2009, respectively. Today, Microsoft denied that it had extended the life span of Windows XP, and intimated that those rights were built into the newer operating system — in this case, Vista — and did not expire at some arbitrary date.'" Update: 04/07 14:36 GMT by T : nandemoari adds "Not only will users be able to keep Windows Vista, but they'll be able to step back in time two generations, all the way to XP. "We will offer downgrade rights from Windows 7 to Windows XP in the same way we did with Windows Vista," a Microsoft rep said. Insiders speculate that the right to use this time machine might be reserved for those purchasing licenses for only two versions of Windows 7 — Ultimate and Professional. However, that's not yet been confirmed."

5 of 392 comments (clear)

  1. What a Strange Idea by vtcodger · · Score: 5, Funny

    People are going to be allowed to buy the OS they prefer rather than the one that Microsoft prefers they buy? What a strange idea? Can American capitalism survive thinking like this?

    --
    You can't see ANYTHING from a car, You've got to get out of the goddamned contraption and walk...Edward Abbey
  2. The future by Thanshin · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Entity X27. Your navigational hipostaticer is ready."
    "I calmly express great joy"
    "Do you want us to install Conscious Neurolinker MarkIII? Or Windows XP."
    "Windows XP"
    "Ok... Oh, wait. Your hipostaticer doesn't allow it sorry."
    "Are you *expletive* making a joke on my behalf? *expletive* you! You *expletive* slow person."

  3. Re:XP support by Jurily · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who cares. By then XP will be a crusty old piece of shit. (More so!)

    You mean a crusty old piece of shit that's still better than their current offerings.

  4. Re:If Windows 7 is as fast as they claim by catdriver · · Score: 5, Funny

    http://xkcd.com/386/

  5. Re:I'm an XP lover but how about we make a deal,.. by jonaskoelker · · Score: 5, Funny

    because there are too many pointers.

    I know, let's have some short pointers so we can save memory, but let's also have long pointers so we can address all the memory.

    Let's call them "near" and "far" pointers. Let's make the programmer declare them explicitly. I think it will provide for a massive productivity boost.

    Oh, and let's add memory segments too ;-)