Microsoft hoping for Win 7 upgraders, reluctantly allowing downgraders

[OhioChick]

Apr 7th 2009 at 9:58AM

We've already covered the plethora of Windows 7 versions, starting with the gimpy Starter edition and then running all the way up to Ultimate (which, we can now confirm, will not include a bag of chips). Microsoft's grand scheme is for users to start with what they need and pay to unlock additional functionality, upgrading their way to the top rung of the the Windows 7 ladder. But, it's now coming to light that the company will also allow downgrades -- not to simpler versions of Win 7, but to earlier operating systems like Vista and even XP. Yes, OEM manufacturers can still keep shipping XP Pro by "downgrading" Windows 7 machines through the end of April, 2010, and while HP is the only one advertising this, you can be sure they won't be alone. Interestingly these machines will still come with free Windows 7 upgrades, hopefully enticing users to give it a shot, but if they don't like it they are allowed to go back to XP on their own. Details for user-driven downgrades are a bit light at the moment, though, so don't be surprised if it requires a little fdisk action.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/microsoft-hoping-for-win-7-upgraders-reluctantly-allowing-downg/

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. Unlock??

Is it fucking 1996 again?? :rofl:

[provis99]

2. So now Microsoft want to sell us overpriced crippleware that doesn't work?

Is there any wonder I hate monopolies?

[crikkett]

3. Linux

Plain and simple. And free.

[AlphaCentauri]

5. it's on mycheck list

;-)

[AndyTiedye]

4. I Upgraded Long Ago

[Webster Green]

6. I would be afraid to switch from my XP Pro Media Center 2005..

It seems to be the most stable Windows OS, at least in my experience. It looks really cool with the dark gray Zune theme.

[DCKit]

7. I've gone to Ubuntu Linux, but if your XP is running well, I'd say stick with it...

until MS stops supporting it. Other than my experience with NT, XP is the most stable OS they ever released. My decision to switch was based on the sheer bloat and resource hogging of MS products and frustration with paying so damn much $$$ for something that only pisses me off and destroys my data on a yearly basis. Not to mention my own tin-foil belief that the lawsuits went away the second Bill Gates agreed to allow the gubmint a back-door into every PC running Windoze.

Additionally, no matter how fast Intel and AMD make their chips or how much memory the motherboard makers allow, MS finds a way to tax them to their limit and make the experience agonizing. Those resources should be there for running programs as fast and as stable as possible, not propping up the OS.

[RoyGBiv]

8. Bob grins at these shenanigans ...

[Deja Q]

9. OEM users only, I reckon. Retail purchasers being stuck...

I wish MS would come out with the price list. Given how they didn't come through with a lot of promised features for Vista Ultimate, never mind that PAE is still disabled and WinFS is still more empty vaporware so keep buying defrag utilities, it better be good because I'm not keen on upgrading again.

[notesdev]

10. MS Price List

Any product: $your soul