Microsoft allows Vista users to take XP downgrade option

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By Stevie Smith Sep 25, 2007, 13:46 GMT

Although Microsoft is keen to point out that its latest Windows Vista operating system (OS) has been a resounding success since its official retail release back in January of this year, news of XP downgrading would perhaps suggest otherwise. epa01122962 With issues still affecting the integration of its Windows Vista operating system, American software giant Microsoft has this week provided business and enterprise customers with the option of downgrading to Windows XP. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

epa01122962 With issues still affecting the integration of its Windows Vista operating system, American software giant Microsoft has this week provided business and enterprise customers with the option of downgrading to Windows XP. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENTMore pointedly, Vista amassed some 20 million license sales in its first month at retail, which is more than double the amount attributed to XP during its opening month at the tail end of 2001, but Microsoft has this week crumbled under pressure to allow manufacturers and business users to revert to the XP operating system.For example, leading computer vendor Dell Inc. is offering the choice between XP and Vista after responding to mounting demand delivered up by its clients through the company’s ‘IdeaStorm’ feedback and business development project, reports eCommerceTimes.Similarly, American software giant Microsoft has now moved to allow for the XP downgrade – though the offer is restricted to business users with Vista Business and Vista Ultimate and does not include those customers with Home Premium or Home Basic. The eagerly anticipated Vista operating system has been met with mixed reviews since its launch, and has subsequently faced accusatory finger pointing regarding ongoing compatibility problems with a wide range of applications – which generally run well with XP. Furthermore, business customers continue to hold off from fully embracing Vista due to such teething problems and also the costs related to its deployment over XP, which continues to be a perfectly viable operating system despite Vista’s supposed aesthetic and performance-based advantages.Regardless of Microsoft offering up the option to choose between Vista and XP, and the convenience that will likely bring when measured against Vista’s ongoing issues, analysts suggest that Vista’s first year at market has thrown up nothing out of the ordinary."It always takes a certain period of time for an OS to settle down among its audience," commented Roger Kay of Endpoint Technologies while also pointing out that XP was similarly "vilified" during its first year of release. "People are trying to make hay with the Vista issues, but a lot of the problems have been resolved already – they were just the normal bugs you see in any first release."This week has also seen Microsoft release its Windows 2008 update, which includes the first beta run of Windows Vista Service Pack 1. The much talked about (and delayed) Service Pack should enhance security, performance and compatibility issues related to Vista.

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DarioSep 26th, 2007 - 06:27:04

Vista is full of DRM, I Don`t do DRM, So no Vista for me, ever.....

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