Why Is Microsoft Allowing Downgrading Vista to XP?
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It seems that Microsoft in the next few weeks is going to allow its OEM partners a more liberal and easier method of allowing customers the ability to downgrade their Vista machines to XP. Previous to this announcement it was difficult and cumbersome to follow the process which required each machine to be registered with Microsoft separately. The new policy will incorporate a online procedure allowing that groups of computers can be registered.
Though Microsoft contends that Vista is selling well, that support calls has been reduced compared to XP, and that device compatibility is increasing everyday, it makes one wonder why the shift in policy. Or maybe a better way to look at this is why is Microsoft even doing this in the first place? They could just tell the OEMs it is Vista only. No more XP. I would seriously doubt that any of the companies would go against this policy knowing their licenses could be revoked in a heart beat. Or are we starting to see a gentler and kinder Microsoft who is concerned with the needs of the consumer?
Though Microsoft is not saying why they are going with a major shift in their policy of downgrading, it just struck me as odd when I first read about this. This is almost as strange as Microsoft saying that anyone can buy a copy of Vista System Builder and use it.
The last time I recall a major downgrade is when people were dumping ME and going back to 98. 
So what do you think Microsotf’s reasoning is in this shift in policy? Or is it a shift in policy?
Comments as always are welcome.
Full story here.
16 Comments
Don Naphen
June 30th, 2007
at 7:31am
Interesting indeed Ron! I’ve been pondering as to buying a new desktop in the near future, but without exception, none of the Big Guns offer the XP Operating System. I always lean towards Gateway, and their web site makes no mention or offer of it. That is a disappointment, as I’ve been with XP Pro since it came out and don’t wish to go through the hassles of reconfiguring Vista, as was done on my son’s lappy.
I’m just guessing, but I would say that Dell, Gateway and others are pressing Microsoft for this consideration to maintain their sales. The Vista backlash is obvious, and the countless disgruntled owners of these new systems are putting the squeeze on sales. Just my thoughts on this Ron. My experience with Vista has been rather limited to the initial setup of my son’s lappy, and I didn’t really care for it. I was never a fan of the “comic book look”, and did what I could to make it more user-friendly in the Classic look (same with my Xp Pro setup).
As always, your insight and excellent articles are a welcome edition to my daily reads! T H A N K S !!
Ron Schenone
June 30th, 2007
at 7:42am
Hello Don,
Thanks for your comments and kind words.
I agree with you. It certainly would appear on the surface that MS is bowing to pressure from the OEM’s.
Have a great weekend.
Regards, Ron
Den
June 30th, 2007
at 8:27am
HOW-DEE RON
Since your talkin about VISTA thought I’d put my 2 cents in.
I got a call form a client a few days ago asking if I could come up
There daughter was home from college and was having
some Trouble with her computer.
As you know I have had VISTA on one of my Machines for about
3 months now and I’m still workin on it to get some software to work..right!
Any way as I was driving up to there house I was thinking to my self
…….I HOPE IT’S NOT A VISTA MACHINE…………
I was happy to find out it was Just a Network Problem…….
…..and I Never Say That….
everything is working Again
They said they were getting ready to buy her a new Lappy
and do I have any suggestions………
I said Try and Get XP If You Can…….
Talk to Ya Later Ron
Den
Ron Schenone
June 30th, 2007
at 10:24am
Hi Den,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. There are quite a few folks who are agreeing with the ‘get XP if you can’ .
Have a good weekend Den and thanks for the comments.
Ron
Robert
June 30th, 2007
at 6:57pm
I say get Vista, even if it is crap. Then install a second hard-drive and put XP on it. You never know, some day Vista may actually do something better than XP. Then you’ll be covered both ways.
Ron Schenone
June 30th, 2007
at 7:11pm
Hi Robert,
Quite a few of us dual boot.
Thanks for the comment.
Ron
Randall Lind
June 30th, 2007
at 8:27pm
Vista Ultimate: Quicken 2007 is a pain when connecting to my bank tells me I have no internet but of I click ignore two times it connects.
It got to be too much of a hassle alone with Creative labs beta drivers for my Audigy card. My sound card sound crackers.
What really stinks is the OS is retail but all drivers are beta unless you can use defaults drivers.
There no need to use Vista. When I had 98SE it would crash after installing 1 gb or memory after 6 hours or so resource would drain. So I saw the need for XP for more memory, larger drives and no resource issues. XP works great so if all you want is a pretty OS great but, I like xp cause it just works!
Ron Schenone
July 1st, 2007
at 3:40am
Hello Randall,
Exactly. XP just flat out works!
Thanks for the comments.
Ron
Gregg
July 10th, 2007
at 9:50am
Randall,
HATE Vista. Am in the process of downgrading a newly purchased machine.
Vista us XP with parental control.
Gregg
Ron Schenone
July 10th, 2007
at 12:52pm
Hi Gregg,
Thanks for your comments,
Ron
Tee Merrill
July 11th, 2007
at 5:17pm
Windows VISTA is the biggest POS I have ever seen. This is why the downgrades are allowed. 1 The firewall protects vs. incoming traffic but allows any hidden trojan to report out. Worse, it will not allow a good firewall to install. Worse yet, the new Vista-compatible Zone Alarm won’t install in Vista.
Also at least 10 other major pieces of software either won’t install, won’t work or won’t work properly.
On reboot the computer freezes completely necessitating a dangerous power off maneuver and then cold boot.
Ron Schenone
July 11th, 2007
at 6:45pm
Hi Tee,
Thanks for your comments.
Ron
Robert Terry
July 15th, 2007
at 6:31am
Because of the $3400 worth of business software I cannot use on Vista because of compatibility issues. You know … works on XP, won’t work on Vista?
Ron Schenone
July 15th, 2007
at 1:29pm
Hi Robert,
Thanks or your comments.
Ron
Randy
October 21st, 2007
at 11:08pm
I bought a new lap-top with Vista, and after a month of tinkering, I panicked. I started running around and collecting old hard drives and keeping them in a safe place.
The Vista experience has turned me away from the new PC market, to the used-PC market. If MS keeps this up, I will turn to the MAC Market. lol.
This is an attempt to “CONTROL” the PC Users in more ways. They have to see the light, and allow the market options, or else the market will vanish. There are too many everyday people out there who can build a better OS, for MS to act like there $&i@ don’t stink!
Fallacy Myers
November 22nd, 2007
at 12:52am
Microsoft should be brought up on charges for creating vista.