NewsWindows XP Gets Another Lease on Life, OEM Style

Windows XP downgrade media will now be available until July 31, 2009

In the latest indication that Windows Vista's not one of Redmond's greatest hits, Windows XP (aka "The operating system that will not die") has won another reprieve. Friday, Microsoft confirmed rumors that OEMs bundling Windows Vista Ultimate or Vista Business can continue to order media for downgrades to Windows XP Professional until July 31, 2009 . Meaning, for those paying attention, that Harry Potter could get a Vista system downgraded to Windows XP for his birthday. Previously, the last day for downgrade media was going to be January 31, 2009. 1-31-2009 remains the deadline for system builders (aka "the corner computer store") to buy Windows XP licenses for their systems.

As an OEM product, Windows XP won't quite make it to Windows 7's anticipated release date of January 2010, but it will get closer than anyone could have guessed when it was released in October 2001.

So, what say you? Have you exercised your downgrade rights to send a Vista machine back to XP land? Any tips or tricks to consider? Hit the jump for your chance to sound off.

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microsoft, operating system, windows xp, Windows Vista, downgrade, OEM, windows 7
NewsMicrosoft Rolls Out One-on-One Coaching, Special Helps for Some New Vista Users

Vista Small Business Assurance

Microsoft is going to extraordinary lengths this summer to make some of its customers satisfied with Windows Vista - or else. If they don't love Vista, Microsoft will help them downgrade to Windows XP. How much does this new customer-satisfaction blitz cost? For you, special price: nothing!

However, not everybody gets the special Microsoft Vista schmooze. To find out who gets the special love from Redmond, and how long they get primo treatment, you know what to do. We'll see you after the break.

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windows, microsoft, operating system, windows xp, Windows Vista, downgrade, Vista Ultimate, Vista Business
FeaturesMake Vista Liveable

We can't make Vista perfect, but our guide to tweaking the OS will certainly make it much more tolerable.

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vista, windows, Software, hotfix, registry, hacks, downgrade, defrag, features, from the magazine
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