Blade Watch

BBC

Anyone buying a PC with Windows 7 pre-installed will be able to swap it for XP or Vista.

Microsoft has confirmed that the licence conditions under which the software will be sold will allow people to downgrade.

The conditions will apply to both businesses that buy licences for Windows in bulk and consumers that get the operating system on a PC or laptop.

No firm date has been given for the release of Windows 7’s final version.

New life

Downgrade rights are common in Microsoft licensing terms and conditions and customers who buy large volumes of Windows operating systems have always been able to roll back to previous versions.

Microsoft has twice granted Windows XP a reprieve to allow computer makers to get licences for it for far longer than was originally planned.

Windows XP, released to consumers in 2001, was also granted a lifeline to ensure that it could be used on so-called netbooks – cut-down net-capable laptops that are proving very popular.

This will give extra life and options for the end user community which has to be a good thing, the terms of the license will need to be checked of course, but it’s good news for anyone concerned about upgrading and then rolling back.

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