Why they would is another
matter
Microsoft has agreed to allow prospective owners of Windows 7 to
downgrade the software to Vista and Windows XP.
While Microsoft has
allowed people to downgrade their software to a predecessor it is the first
time it has allowed a downgrade licence to the operating system
before. In fact it is technically possible that you could take the licence,
in the way that it is worded, all the way back to Windows 95.
Quite why
this would be a good idea is not clear. It strikes us as good a deal as
buying a a 2009 model Ford Fiesta and getting the option to use a 1995
model instead. (Getting any ford Fiesta is a bad idea. sub.ed.)
However there are some advantages as some companies have
elderly gear that they do not want to chuck out during these troubled
economic times. It is better just to install some more elderly OS on them
instead.
Microsoft and HP have agreed to provide downgrade rights from
October which coincidently is one rumoured launch target for Windows 7.