Two unconfirmed reports have surfaced that, when considered together, make buying a Windows XP computer more enticing than before.
First, Tech ARP, which has been breaking news on the Windows 7 Upgrade Program, reports that the free upgrades will apply to anyone whose computer is downgraded to Windows XP. Technically, these users would have that option anyway because downgrades include a license for Windows Vista, but it's nice to know a step is being removed from the process.
The only catch is that XP users can only perform a "Clean Install" of Windows 7. In other words, the hard drive has to be wiped, while Vista users can install without disrupting their current set-up. Still, that would have been the case even if the upgrade wasn't free.
Combine that with a report from AppleInsider (oh, the irony) that HP will extend the option for XP Professional downgrading on its business computers until 2010, and it's certainly possible to avoid Vista -- if that's your preference -- well into the launch of Windows 7. Microsoft's deal with HP will also include downgrades to XP from Windows 7, so it could certainly come in handy for people who want no part of the new operating system.
AppleInsider notes that the future of XP rights for home users and netbook owners is unclear. Vista doesn't play well with netbooks, so Microsoft has offered cheap XP licensing to keep other operating systems such as Linux, Android and Ubuntu at bay. If the HP deal has indeed gone down, Microsoft may need to extend XP licensing for netbooks until its assured that Windows 7 will run smoothly.
