Windows XP Downgrades Going Away

Ever since Windows Vista came out, Microsoft has allowed OEMs (companies that build computers) to downgrade new computers to Windows XP if the customer wanted to.  There were compatibility concerns and just general dislike of Windows Vista, so most customers opted for this option.  When Windows 7 came out Microsoft continued to allow OEMs to downgrade new systems to Windows XP even though Windows 7 has been much better received by businesses.  As we are an OEM ourselves, we have been able to install Windows XP for Clients that requested it.  We are however, seeing more and more Clients move to Windows 7 with very few issues.

Microsoft has announced that OEMs may no longer downgrade new computers to Windows XP after October 22, 2010. This means that Dell, HP, SSGI and other OEMs will not be able to provide computers with Windows XP installed.  This is what we have been preparing our Clients for for quite some time now.  If you have not begun testing Windows 7 in your environment, you need to start as soon as possible.  If you have Line of Business software vendors that are not yet supporting Windows 7 you need to push them to get moving.  Otherwise you will be painting yourself into a corner.

Now, for the interesting part of the news.  Even though OEMs are not allowed to downgrade new computers to Windows XP, the purchaser themselves can do it as long as the new computer is purchased with Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate.  In addition, if a company has a volume license agreement for Windows 7, they may still downgrade to Windows XP.

Now, the issue is going to be that new computers may not run Windows XP very well.  For instance, drivers will most likely not be created for new hardware functions such as wireless devices. new peripherals, etc.  So even though you might legally be able to downgrade, you may not technically be able to downgrade.  As I mentioned last week, support for Windows XP SP2 has expired.  The last Service Pack for Windows XP is SP3 and support for it, and thus Windows XP will end in 2014.  But hardware issues are sure to start becoming problems almost immediately now.

The bottom line here is that it’s time to start migrating to Windows 7.  Clients that have started using Windows 7 have not had many issues at all.  However, the move does require doing some analysis.  We can help with that if necessary.  Realize that Windows 7 and Windows XP computers can live on the same network without problems. Generally we do not suggest trying to upgrade older computers to Windows 7.  Instead, Clients would start the Windows 7 migration when purchasing new computers. 

It’s time to get moving on this.  If you wait too long your business operations could be affected.  Give us a call if you have any questions.