As you are no doubt aware by now the 30 June is the final day of Windows XP general availability from retailers and computer makers unless Microsoft changes its mind, which is at this stage unlikely.

Some of these computer makers will continue to sell PCs with factory installed XP licenses after the 30 June by taking advantage of Windows Vista’s downgrade rights.

A clause in Microsoft’s guidelines lets computer makers install Windows XP Professional, but not the more common and less expensive Windows XP Home on new PCs at a customer’s request when those machines are ordered with either Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate.

According to a recent article on the ComputerWorld Web site, Dell have announced that they will only offer home users the downgrade option on their high end machines designed for gamers, Dell states its decision is based on Microsoft restricting which types of computers can be downgraded to XP

A spokeswoman for Microsoft has denied that the company is keeping any customers from downgrading or telling computer manufacturers which type of PCs they can downgrade to XP. “Microsoft is not targeting any specific customers with downgrade rights … Anyone who buys Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate is eligible for a downgrade.”

Microsoft will still sell XP licenses to registered system builders, smaller shops and individuals who acquire Windows through one of Microsoft’s authorized distributors after this deadline until the 31 January 2009.

Microsoft has also recently extended the availability of XP Home to computer manufacturers building cheap low end notebooks and desktops.

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