Microsoft's XP 'downgrade' option from Vista

While Microsoft is still pushing Vista hard, the company is quietly allowing PC makers to offer a "downgrade" option to buyers that get machines with the new operating system but want to switch to Windows XP.

Details vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and only apply to computers sold with Vista Business or Ultimate editions. Different vendors are handling the downgrade in a variety of ways: Fujitsu and HP, for example, offer the option of getting an XP disc in the box with its laptops. "That's going to help out small and medium-size businesses," Fujitsu marketing manager Brandon Farris told in a press conference. On the other hand Lenovo is allowing users to purchase a Windows XP recovery CD any time until July 31, 2008. In most cases, the XP CDs are very inexpensive, sometimes free.

Meanwhile, Microsoft's requirement that vendors no longer preload XP on computers is still set to take effect on January 31, 2008, though vendors have four more months to attempt to get Microsoft to change its tune.