Microsoft's deadline for system builders to sell PCs with Windows XP is January 30, 2009, and many OEMs have continued to sell XP beyond their own June 30, 2008 deadline using downgrade rights. Earlier this year, HP said it plans to sell PCs pre-installed with XP Professional on its business desktops, notebooks and workstations until July 30, 2009.
With recent rumblings that Windows 7 could arrive as soon as the middle of next year, and Windows Vista's image continuing to suffer from the embarrassing Windows Vista Capable case, it's possible that Microsoft might decide to stop fighting the realities of market demand and let OEMs continue using downgrade rights until Windows 7 arrives.
