There has been a bit of buzz in the news lately about the sales of Windows XP coming to an end – and more than a few incorrect headlines about Dell’s plans. Let’s set the record straight – there are going to be a limited number of consumer systems available with Windows XP installed after June 30.
As of today, the only way any PC manufacturer, including Dell, can continue to offer Windows XP past the June 30, 2008, end of sales deadline is through Microsoft’s downgrade rights (DGR) program.
Let me make this clear – this is a Microsoft program. They make it available to PC manufacturers/system builders. They make the rules regarding which operating systems versions are involved, which PCs qualify and how long the program lasts.
Dell extends the program to our customers as a service. And we make serious efforts to make it as painless as possible – like installing XP on the system with all the correct drivers, versus throwing a CD in the box and letting customers figure it out on their own.
The downgrade rights program is not new – it was available the last time we went through an OS transition (W2K to XP). So, there is nothing “sneaky” about a customer purchasing a Vista system and Dell installing XP Professional on it despite what the headlines imply.
To be honest, the primary customer targets for this program are corporate customers – organizations that manage hundreds if not thousands of systems. Microsoft recognizes these customers need extra time to qualify new software, new hardware, etc., and so the DGR program provides that. In fact, Dell has been providing this service for OptiPlex, Latitude and Dell Precision workstation systems since *last* April.
Now, I know you’re wondering, “What does this have to do with ME?”
What’s made the news is that we recently added this service for our Vostro and XPS gaming systems. Remember – this is a Microsoft program, and they make the rules about which OS versions and which PC models qualify.
What are the rules?
- Customers can purchase select systems that include a license for Windows Vista Business or Vista Ultimate, and have the OS downgraded to XP Professional, which Dell installs.
- Vista Home Premium and Vista Home Basic are NOT part of the downgrade rights program, NOR is XP Home.
- The Dell systems that are part of the downgrade rights program are:
- Dell offers the downgrade right program service at no charge on corporate client PCs, and charges a fee ($20-$50) on Vostro and XPS gaming systems.
- Microsoft has stated the ability to provide the Windows XP recovery media ends on Jan. 31, 2009. After this PC manufacturers/system builders like Dell cannot send out Windows XP media. There will be a few exceptions to this date – for example, some Volume License customers who get images installed through custom factory install (CFI) can continue to receive Vista licensed systems with XP installed.
So what does a customer get with Dell’s downgrade rights program service?
For the XP Professional that is installed under DGR:
- A hard drive based solution (software) to restore the Dell system back to the original configuration.
- A physical disk (media) to allow the reinstallation of the original XP Pro OEM operating system on a Dell computer (available until Jan 31, 2009).
- A physical disk (media) to allow the reinstallation of XP drivers, utilities and diagnostics on a Dell computer.
And for the Vista Business or Ultimate that was purchased with DGR:
- A Vista Certificate of Authentication (COA) affixed to the computer
- A physical disk (media) to allow the installation of the purchased Vista Business or Ultimate OEM operating system on a Dell computer.
- A physical disk (media) to allow the installation of Vista drivers, utilities and diagnostics on a Dell computer.
Why is Microsoft doing this?
The downgrade rights program is not new. Dell offered this service when the industry transitioned from Windows 2000 to Windows XP. Microsoft and Dell understand that corporate customers take a while to migrate from one OS to another and this program allows them the time required to properly prepare and transition. Gaming and small business customers are invested in legacy applications that may not yet be fully compatible with Vista.
Hope this clears up some of the confusion.
May 12th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Interesting that MS would choose to make customers purchase Vista Ultimate which is the most costly.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Well personally i find it right as per the business perspective to go for a downgrade program as along with promoting vista microsoft should also have to think about the users and the corporate world who are not inclined towards switching to vista at right this point of time..
As business is not all about being aggressive altogether…
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