Windows 7 Professional의 최종 사용자 다운그레이드(Downgrade) 기간 연장

출처: Windows XP has got more life via Windows 7 Downgrade Rights

Windows 7 Professional 및 Ultimate 버전에 포함된 최종 사용자의 Downgrade 권리 행사 기간이 연장될 예정입니다. 당초 Windows 7 발표 시점에 공지된 내용으로는 Downgrade 권리 기간이 Windows 7 SP1 발표 시점 또는 WIndows 7 발표 + 18개월 중 짧은 기간으로 정해질 예정이었으나, 아래 내용은 Windows 7이 단종되는 시점까지 Downgrade 권리 행사 기간을 연장한다는 내용입니다. 따라서 Windows 7 Professional을 구입한 고객은 Windows 7 단종 시점까지 Windows XP Professional로 다운그레이드 하여 사용할 수 있습니다.

Here comes another wise move by Microsoft, the company announced that Windows XP will continue to be available via Windows 7 downgrade rights. When Windows 7 RTM’d, Microsoft stated that end-users could downgrade right Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate editions preinstalled on a new PC would allow a customer to downgrade to either Windows XP Professional or similar Windows Vista versions for 18 months, or until the availability of SP1, whichever came sooner.

However another announcement has been made just before Official Windows XP SP2 expiration. Now end-user can downgrade Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate editions preinstalled on a new PC to either Windows XP Professional or similar Windows Vista versions until Windows 7 lifecycle is discontinued.


Brandon LeBlanc, Windows Team Blog says-

To support our customers “unprecedented move” to migrate their PC environment to Windows 7, we have decided to extend downgrade rights to Windows XP Professional beyond the previously planned end date at Windows 7 SP1. This will help maintain consistency for downgrade rights throughout the Windows 7 lifecycle. As a result, the OEM versions of Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate will continue to include downgrade rights to the similar versions of Windows Vista or Windows XP Professional.

As per current Windows lifecycle policy, the company allows retailers to sell the boxed version of the previous OS for up to a year after release of a new OS, and that OEMs can sell PCs with the previous OS pre-loaded for up to 2 years after, the launch date of the new OS. which clearly states that retailers will be able to sell the boxed version of Windows Vista until October 22, 2010, and OEMs will be able to sell PCs with Windows Vista preinstalled until October 22, 2011.

Source: Windows Team Blog