Microsoft forbids OEMs to pre-install XP to accelerate to Win 7

Last Friday (October 22) is the first anniversary of Microsoft's release of Windows 7 operating system. From that day on, Microsoft has no longer allowed OEMs (original equipment manufacturers, that is, major PC manufacturers) to pre-install Windows XP operating system on the newly launched PC, in order to further strengthen the promotion of Windows 7. Since the summer of 2008, Microsoft has banned most types of PCs from pre-installing XP systems, and only those ultra-low-cost PCs can extend the pre-installed XP period. Microsoft said in a press release in September 2007: "In view of the fact that PC hardware configuration in some emerging markets does not meet the basic requirements of the Vista operating system, we will extend the delivery period of Windows XP Starter Edition. Until June 30, 2010. Through this initiative, OEMs will be able to sell more PCs in emerging markets. ”

But Microsoft has previously announced that it will ban new PCs from pre-installing XP as of June 30, 2010, not a very strict deadline. The release date of Windows 7 is October 22, 2009, so Microsoft will ban the pre-installation of XP for new PCs strictly on October 22 this year.

In other words, consumers will not be able to purchase new PCs pre-installed with XP in the market. However, consumers will still be able to downgrade the Windows system (Vista or Windows 7) pre-installed on the new PC to XP, in which the user can simply activate the product and simply contact the Microsoft Customer Service Representative to complete the corresponding Downgrade process.

US IT website editor Ed · Ed Bott expects that by 2015, Microsoft may ban all PCs pre-installed with Vista or Windows 7 from downgrading to XP. Microsoft has stopped technical support for XP SP2 in July this year, but the extended support for Windows XP will last until April 8, 2014.