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Windows 7 users can downgrade to XP

Microsoft and its PC partners are going to allow Windows 7 users to downgrade not just to Windows Vista, but also to Windows XP, Microsoft officials are confirming.
windows - comments - 6.4.2009

Microsoft sued over Vista-XP downgrade

Microsoft is under legal siege again over Vista. This time, a consumer is suing the company for using its monopoly power to force her to pay to downgrade from Vista to XP on a new laptop.
windows - comments - 14.2.2009

Microsoft sued over Vista-XP downgrade

Microsoft is under legal siege again over Vista. This time, a consumer is suing the company for using its monopoly power to force her to pay to downgrade from Vista to XP on a new laptop.
windows - comments - 17.2.2009

Downgrade from Windows Vista SP1 to XP SP3

The introduction of Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista and of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP, along with the June 30 retail and OEM availability cut-off date for XP, have generated a consistent a mount of confusion over the future of the two Windows clients.
windows - comments - 6.6.2008

Microsoft offers free Vista-to-XP downgrade help

Microsoft said Monday it would offer free technical support to small businesses that buy new PCs with Windows Vista in the next three months, its latest attempt to convince users that moving to Vista is a good idea.
windows - comments - 10.7.2008

XP downgrade program may continue to hurt Windows 7

Most people know that come the release of Vista, most businesses chose to hang onto to Windows XP due to lacking reviews of the new OS, and the fact that XP did everything they wanted.
windows - comments - 17.6.2009

Microsoft caps Windows 7 to XP downgrade program at April 2011

Microsoft has kept itself quiet on details of the Windows 7 to XP downgrade program until today.
windows - comments - 20.6.2009

As Windows XP Deadline Looms, OEMs Turn To Vista Downgrade Rights

Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) may be preparing to discontinue sales of Windows XP, but some OEMs have found a way to circumvent the software giant's June 30 deadline.
windows - comments - 25.4.2008

How to Downgrade from Windows Vista Business or Ultimate OEM Edition and Install Windows XP Professional

A lot of users still dont getting used to Windows Vista. A lot of reviews have been labeling Windows Vista as bloated, hard to use, tons of compatibility issues, inconvenient, not user friendly, not stable and etc.
windows - comments - 22.8.2008

Intel Macs may boot XP after all

Reports spreading across the web that Intel Macs can't boot Windows XP might be inaccurate, reports Dan Warne.

windows - comments - 14.1.2006

Windows 7 (15-Seconds-Boot) No Match for Windows Instant On (8-Seconds-Boot)

Microsoft revealed that it is targeting a 15 seconds boot time for Windows 7 in laboratory conditions, but the fact is that the Redmond company is cooking even something better.
windows - comments - 16.10.2008

Should Microsoft downgrade Vista vulnerabilities?

The man who wrote the book on Microsoft's highly rated SDL (Security Development Lifecycle) believes buffer-related security vulnerabilities found in Windows Vista should be downgraded because of back-up mitigations built into the operating system.
windows - comments - 12.3.2007

Boot Camp: the day after

Now that Apple's Boot Camp is in the wild, there's very little to be said about booting into alternate operating systems on the Mac, right? Wrong! Because, not surprisingly, no sooner did Apple take the wraps off its little 30th birthday suprise, than Mac owners (or non-Mac owners who could cajole friends into lending them their Macs for a spell) began to put the Apple boot manager through its paces.
windows - comments - 6.4.2006

Vista Boot Screens

Thanks to desperados who report Vista bootscreens download in our forum and to Rick van Dijck (iemanduitnederland) author of the Boot Screens. Some nice boot screens for Windows Vista.
download - comments - 12.3.2007

0wning Vista from the boot

Federico Biancuzzi interviews Nitin and Vipin Kumar, authors of VBootkit, a rootkit that is able to load from Windows Vista boot-sectors.
windows - comments - 26.4.2007

Windows 7 10-Second Boot

Over a year ago, Microsoft revealed that it considered 15 seconds the ideal startup time for Windows 7 under laboratory conditions.
windows - comments - 7.10.2009

Apple Boot Camp 1.1.1 Beta

Boot Camp lets you install Windows XP without moving your Mac data, though you will need to bring your own copy to the table, as Apple Computer does not sell or support Microsoft Windows.
download - comments - 17.9.2006

Vista: Whatever happened to fast boot?

Anyone else remember when Microsoft used to talk about making Windows Vista (or Longhorn, as it was then known) a fast-booting operating system.
windows - comments - 12.4.2007

Apple Releases Boot Camp 1.1 (Beta)

Apple has quietly posted an update to Boot Camp to version 1.1. According to the Boot Camp page, the new version remains in beta and contains many updates for all new and previous Boot Camp beta users.
common - comments - 16.8.2006

Vista scoots to new boot, but its still kinda rooted

While Microsoft would like the world to believe that anyone running Windows has no need of any other operating system, that attitude doesnt cut much mustard with many of its users.
windows - comments - 28.9.2006

How to Change Windows Vista Boot Screen

Some of you remember how it was possible to change the boot logo screen of Windows 95/98. I'm not sure why anyone would go into the trouble of actually doing it, but it seems that it is possible to do the same for Windows Vista.
windows - comments - 19.11.2007

Dual Boot Windows and Linux on Supercomputers

As far as Microsoft is concerned, Windows and Linux dual boot scenarios go beyond the desktop, well beyond. The Redmond company's proprietary operating system and the open source platform can also dual boot on supercomputers.
windows - comments - 19.6.2008

Windows 7: Boot time under 15 seconds?

When Microsoft was developing Vista, or Longhorn, as it was known way back when, company officials were fond of making promises about ways that Microsoft would improve on Windows XP with its next-generation Windows release.
windows - comments - 3.9.2008

Windows 7 695x boot screen revealed

Chris Holmes, Windows Enthusiast and blogger, has posted a short and somewhat blurry video of the new Windows 7 boot screen in action.
windows - comments - 4.12.2008

The Windows 7 11-Second Boot and the Computer That Made It Possible

Windows 7s evolution compared to Windows Vista is undeniable, and the lucky few that so far have had access to the RTM bits of the latest Windows client can confirm this.
windows - comments - 18.9.2009

OSx86 project offers $1 bounty for a Vista boot

The ink is barely dry on narf/blanka's checks, and already the OSx86 project has launched a new contest for getting Microsoft Vista to dual-boot on an Intel Mac (although it seems copies of that particular OS may be rather scarce for awhile), but this time the prize will be a bit smaller- thousands of dollars smaller, actually.
windows - comments - 22.3.2006

High quality image Vista boot screen

Some people found a way to change that black boot screen of Windows Vista RTM to a high quality one, the one that was supposed to be in before it was cut from the final version.
download - comments - 19.11.2006

Windows Vista Boot Logo Generator Beta

I know a lot of people were disappointed by the lack of a decent boot logo in Vista, so Ive thrown together a tool that should simplify the process of creating the new high resolution boot logos!
download - comments - 16.1.2007

Apple Releases Boot Camp 1.2 with Vista Support

Apple has posted a new version of Boot Camp today. Boot Camp 1.2 brings several updates, including Windows Vista support.
common - comments - 29.3.2007

Enable New Boot screen in Microsoft Windows Vista Beta 2

Tired of the pathetic boot screen in current Vista builds? There is a new trick that will allow you to see what may be the new boot screen for Windows Vista.
windows - comments - 12.5.2006

Microsoft will allow Windows 7 downgrade to XP

After many requests and company IT departments pushing Microsoft to make Windows 7 available to downgrade not only to Windows Vista, but to Windows XP, Microsoft has finally officially stated that the downgrade will be available if company's or users require a downgrade. The downgrade will not only allow consumers to downgrade to Microsoft most recent predecessor, Vista, but will allow users to downgrade to Windows XP, and technically allow users to go back to Windows 2000 or even Windows 95.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 07.04.2009

Microsoft confirms Windows 7 downgrade rights

TechARP had been constantly giving updates on the Windows 7 Downgrade Rights Program all these days. Now Microsoft has confirmed the same in a blog post, regarding Windows 7 Downgrade rights program. Users can downgrade to Windows XP and Windows Vista from Windows 7 via OEMs for 6 months after Windows 7 General Availability. For customers and businesses running Windows XP, Microsoft still recommends an upgrade to Windows Vista before moving onto upgrading Windows 7.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 16.04.2009

OEMs to Continue Shipping XP

If you already own an XP license and are still hesitant to switch to Vista, Microsoft's "downgrade rights" policy, which initially began to be exercised in 2001, may be in your favor if you would still like to purchase a machine running Windows XP after the June 30, 2008 deadline when Microsoft will stop offering the operating system. OEMs such as Dell have said that they still have no plans to stop offering XP as an option:

"Dell has the ability to exercise 'Windows Vista downgrade rights' on your behalf in the factory if your business is still reliant upon Windows XP and you'd prefer to have Windows XP Professional preinstalled on your PCs," according to their new downgrade policy section for XP.
"Downgrade Rights means that anyone with a Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate operating system can downgrade to Windows XP Professional provided they have the media for Windows XP Professional."


jcxp.net - 27.04.2008

Microsoft extends XP downgrade option for OEMs to 2011

Microsoft will be extending the Windows XP downgrade option until 2011. While Microsoft has threatened to halt the option on numerous occasions, it has yet to set a date, write it in stone and actually make good on the promise. Windows XP has been the corner stone for Microsoft as Windows Vista was largely rejected by businesses and consumers due to its initial rocky start. With Windows 7 right around the corner Microsoft will be looking to phase out XP but still must do so in a cautious manor.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 20.06.2009

Microsoft sued for charging consumers to downgrade to XP

When Windows Vista was released to market on January 30th, 2007, Microsoft gave consumers the option to downgrade to Windows XP if they were not satisfied with the new operating system. However charging consumers $59.25 to downgrade to a different operating system has stirred some trouble for Microsoft. A Los Angeles resident, Emma Alvarado, has filed a class action lawsuit in the US District Court of the Western District of Washington in Seattle. The plaintiff is not demanding anything but a refund because the company charged her for downgrading her Lenovo PC from Windows Vista to Windows XP Professional.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 16.02.2009

Dell charging to downgrade to XP

Dell has announced that it will stop selling new computers with Windows XP from today, unless buyers spend an extra $50 to downgrade their operating system.

Customers looking to buy models from the company’s Vostro line will be offered Vista Business as the operating system but Dell will downgrade the system for an extra $50. Some of the company’s XPS gaming systems will also be charging for the downgrade.

The move will raise eyebrows, since the company may be seen as trying to cash in on the unpopularity of Microsoft’s latest operating system.


neowin.net - 19.06.2008

XP downgrade program may continue to hurt Windows 7

Most people know that come the release of Vista, most businesses chose to hang onto to Windows XP due to lacking reviews of the new OS, and the fact that XP did everything they wanted. Of course, many plan to make the move to the upcoming Windows 7, bypassing Vista entirely, but according to InfoWorld, this could be harder than expected.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 17.06.2009

Giving up on Vista? Here's how to downgrade to XP

Microsoft's decision last week to delay the end of Windows XP sales five months means users have just that much longer to jilt Vista and return to the older -- and some say more mature -- operating system. But even with XP's reprieve, few PCs come with anything but Vista. Even if you wanted to take advantage of the wider window of XP opportunity, you might not know where to start.







For the rest of us, just what does it take to turn back the clock? Read on for more about the trip to Windows yesteryear.



What is a downgrade? To Microsoft, "downgrade" describes the licensing rights it grants to older operating systems. Downgrade doesn't mean the process for rolling back Windows from Vista to XP, since there isn't such a procedure, not in the generally accepted use of "upgrade." In an older-to-newer move, developers usually make it possible to retain all the digital detritus on the drive, from already-installed applications and Word documents to iTunes tracks and family photos, while updating the system files. Not so in a downgrade.




winbeta.org - 02.10.2007

Microsoft will allow Windows 7 users to downgrade to XP

Mary Jo Foley: Microsoft and its PC partners are going to allow Windows 7 users to downgrade not just to Windows Vista, but also to Windows XP, Microsoft officials are confirming.



Some company watchers have been wondering about the downgrade rights that Microsoft will offer when Windows 7 ships. When AppleInsider reported this weekend that HP was going to offer Windows 7 users the ability to downgrade to XP, I asked Microsoft about the story.



Here’s what a spokesperson representing the company’s Windows client division told me via e-mail on April 5...




winbeta.org - 07.04.2009

Downgrade Plan for Windows 7 PC's

Deja Vu here? Just like they did with Windows Vista, Microsoft will ship Windows 7 in OEM machines with a license that allows customers to easily downgrade to either Windows Vista or its 8-year-old predecessor, Windows XP. This license applies to businesses who buy VLK licenses and consumers who buy a desktop or laptop with Windows 7 pre-installed.

While giving downgrade plans has been common in Redmond in the past, a downgrade from an operating system released in 2009/2010, to one released 8-9 years ago seems a bit crazy. However, given the skepticism that, even to this day, with nearly 2 Service Packs RTM'ed, still surrounds Windows Vista, Microsoft was essentially forced into providing that downgrade path.

Windows XP will soon be near-obsolete - even according to Microsoft, who will be ending mainstream support tomorrow. The availability of that downgrade path is unfortunate, due to the number of advancements that have inevitably occurred over the past 8 years. If Windows 7 holds up to peoples' expectations, maybe they won't have to step into the time machine, and we can finally continue on, full speed ahead, into the future.


jcxp.net - 13.04.2009

How To Warm Boot Windows XP/Vista

Unless you have to, it is many times advantageous to warm boot, or rather warm reboot, Windows. In a warm reboot, Windows restarts, but the computer doesnt, skipping the whole pre-Windows boot screen/BIOS/startup sequence. You an easily specify a warm boot in both Windows XP and Windows Vista. Just hold down SHIFT on your keyboard before clicking Restart in Vista, or before clicking OK in the restart dialog in XP. Enjoy the extra 20 seconds!



Technically, the use of the term warm boot is a bit misused here, but the small amount of time saved by not re-running the BIOS can be worth it.




winbeta.org - 17.08.2007

As WinXP Deadline Looms, OEMs Turn To Vista Downgrade Rights

Microsoft may be preparing to discontinue sales of Windows XP, but some OEMs have found a way to circumvent the software giant's June 30 deadline.

In yet another sign of the market's resistance to Windows Vista, Dell Computer, Hewlett Packard (NYSE:HPQ), and Sony on Wednesday all confirmed plans to exercise the downgrade rights Microsoft offers with OEM versions of Windows Vista Business and Vista Ultimate in order to continue offering XP-equipped PCs to their customers.

Downgrade rights, which Microsoft also offers to volume licensing customers, give users the ability to roll back to the previous version of the product they're using. Downgrade rights have existed since 2001 for Windows, but many Microsoft partners say they've been seeing a recent uptick in the number of customers exercising downgrade rights to roll Vista back to XP Professional.


neowin.net - 25.04.2008

Dell triples charge to downgrade PCs to XP for $150

More than five months after Dell stopped selling its popular Inspiron line of consumer desktop and laptop PCs with Windows XP, Dell is offering the systems with the aging operating system for a surcharge of $150 over the newer Windows Vista. It's now selling Inspiron consumer PCs with XP for three times June's surcharge! Dell's Inspiron 1525 notebooks and 530 desktops can be ordered with Windows XP Professional pre-installed for an extra $150, according to the company's Web site.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 08.12.2008

Microsoft to simplify downgrades from Vista to XP

Microsoft is simplifying the processes via which its PC-maker partners will be able to provide "downgrade" rights from Windows Vista to Windows XP for their customers.

Microsoft will implement the first of the policy changes for its Gold Certified (top-tier) OEM partners within the next couple of weeks. The company will streamline downgrade-rights policies and procedures for the broader channel somewhat later, said John Ball, general manager of Microsofts U.S. Systems Group.

Under current licensing terms, Microsoft allows customers buying PCs preloaded with Windows Vista Ultimate and Vista Business to roll back to Windows XP until they are ready to make the move to Vista. For OEMs, the process via which these rights can be activated has been quite cumbersome, Ball acknowledged...
winbeta.org - 28.06.2007

Source: Vista downgrade rights extended to July 2009

Never mind that Microsoft has kicked off a hyped ad campaign to convince the public to buy Windows Vista PCs, - it's also given users more time to switch back to Windows XP.



OEMs have been given an additional six months to sell PCs running Windows Vista with the ability to downgrade to Windows XP using an accompanying recovery disc...




winbeta.org - 03.10.2008

Upgrading a Laptop to Dual Boot with Windows XP x64 Edition

Columnist Barb Bowman explains how she upgraded a AMD64 laptop to a dual boot system...
WindowsXP/expertzone - 04.01.2006

As Windows XP Deadline Looms, OEMs Turn To Vista Downgrade Rights

Microsoft may be preparing to discontinue sales of Windows XP, but some OEMs have found a way to circumvent the software giant's June 30 deadline.



In yet another sign of the market's resistance to Windows Vista, Dell Computer, Hewlett Packard, and Sony on Wednesday all confirmed plans to exercise the downgrade rights Microsoft offers with OEM versions of Windows Vista Business and Vista Ultimate in order to continue offering XP-equipped PCs to their customers.




winbeta.org - 24.04.2008

Dell extends window for XP systems

Dell has extended the availability of systems preloaded with Windows XP, citing customer demand for the older operating system. The vendor started to charge purchasers of certain lines to downgrade the operating system from Vista to XP last week.

However, Dell has said on its website that XP machines will still be available in the Inspiron and XPS ranges. "We are able to offer the opportunity to purchase a Dell desktop with an OEM Windows XP licence until 26 June at 5.59am central time," said the company. "After 26 June you have the option to purchase Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate with a downgrade service to Windows XP Professional.


neowin.net - 24.06.2008

Windows 7 695x boot screen revealed

Chris Holmes, Windows Enthusiast and blogger, has posted a short and somewhat blurry video of the new Windows 7 boot screen in action. The latest sign of changes for Windows 7 signals a departure from the Vista boot up screen. Microsoft kept the boot screen simple with Vista after asking BIOS makers, PC makers, and video card makers to remove product advertisement screens at system boot. Microsoft created a simple boot method which it claimed took 6 seconds off initial boot compared to the more graphical boot that it had originally planned with the Longhorn betas.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 04.12.2008

Intel Macs will Run Windows XP with Next OS X

More and more people are buying and loving Macs. To make this choice simply irresistible, Apple will include technology in the next major release of Mac OS X, Leopard, that lets you install and run the Windows XP operating system on your Mac. Called Boot Camp (for now), you can download a public beta today.

Boot Camp lets you install Windows XP without moving your Mac data, though you will need to bring your own copy to the table, as Apple Computer does not sell or support Microsoft Windows. Boot Camp will burn a CD of all the required drivers for Windows so you don't have to scrounge around the Internet looking for them.


jcxp.net - 06.04.2006