Microsoft is heavily working on the new Windows 7 operating system since quite good time, and soon the new PC users would see it already installed in their computers, but dissatisfied users would also have an option to downgrade to the previous versions like Windows XP and Vista.
Accd. to the Microsoft spokesperson, Windows 7 users who are licensed and genuine, would be able to downgrade to any other previous version of Windows like Windows Vista, XP, 2000 or others too if possible. They are not limited to just one OS version.
Downgrade rights policies are the same for all of our main OEM partners and what you are talking about is not a special arrangement. Since the End User right to Windows XP Professional is part of the license terms for these editions, it’s really about making facilitation options easier for our OEM customers and End Users.
Although Windows 7 is expected to be the best OS from Windows, but people would not be happy using it in their companies whose hundreds of PCs are already having a single type of OS version like Windows XP, and using 2 versions together is not easy.
The AppleInsider report claimed that Microsoft and HP had agreed to provide downgrade rights from October (one rumored launch target for Windows 7) and April 30, 2010.
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You would think that in these times of economic slowdown Microsoft would see an extra source of almost pure profit: Windows XP. Why not put it back on retail shelves and cash in. It’s the OS we’ve come to trust and the next one is going to take a loooooong time.