Vista to XP: The world's most popular downgrade

One year after Microsoft Windows Vista hit the market, public response to it has been underwhelming. True, most buyers of new Windows-based home computers get Vista pre-installed by default; but that's not exactly the same as beating down the door for Vista's glitz.

Meanwhile, many techies, IT departments, and just plain home users are either holding off upgrading or actually converting back from Vista to XP, thereby introducing a backward-looking term into the forward-looking world of technology: downgrading. At the tech forums on Microsoft's Web site, for example, you'll find a hefty number of posts dedicated to doing just that.

With retail sales of XP now scheduled to end by June 30, a movement to save Windows XP has formed. At SaveXP.com, created by the IT publication Infoworld, more than 75,000 people (as of early February) have signed a petition to Microsoft demanding that Windows XP be kept available indefinitely.

Here are kinds of Vista gripes cited by people arguing to save XP:

• If it ain't broke don't fix it (i.e. XP works just fine for many people)
• Software and hardware incompatibilities
• Vista's overly intrusive and disruptive User Account Control feature
• Increased crashing of Internet Explorer
• The learning curve that comes when switching to a new interface
• System slowdowns, especially during boot-up

Microsoft is aware of these complaints and has said that fixes to some Vista problems will be available in March, via a service pack upgrade known as Vista SP1. Before rejecting Vista (if you don't need to make a decision immediately), wait until SP1 is out for a few weeks to see if it has addressed Vista's biggest problems.

If, however, you find yourself longing to travel back to the "good old days" of XP, it's still possible to buy Windows XP in the box from a number of stores. You can also pick up brand-new computer systems loaded with XP. But time is running out. (Although retail sales of XP cease on June 30, technical support will continue until March 2009).

You may also be able to find some Vista systems with an XP downgrade included in the box. Sony, for example, sells its VAIO SZ600 series (soon to be replaced with the SZ700 series) of laptops with an XP downgrade disc. XP downgrade rights are available only with Vista Business or Vista Ultimate; these rights give you the option to downgrade to XP Professional, XP Professional x64, or XP Tablet PC for free.

Here's the lowdown on where you can find XP until June.

If you're buying a new computer, try this sampling of notebooks that come with Windows XP (you'll probably need to specifically ask for XP to avoid getting Vista by default):

• Compaq Presario V6700TX
• Dell Inspiron 1501
• Dell Inspiron 1520
• Dell XPS M1730
• Lenovo 3000 N Series and V Series
• Sony VAIO SZ
• Some Toshiba Satellite A-200 models

For desktops, try:

• Dell Inspiron 530s
• Dell Inspiron 530
• Dell XPS 210
• eMachines W3644
• Lenovo 3000 J Series

If you already own a computer with Vista on it and want to go back to XP, you can pick up a copy of Windows XP at Amazon.com, Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA and Staples, among other retailers. Watch out though, because your Vista computer might not have XP drivers available for an essential function like the graphics chip; check the manufacturer's site first.

—Donna Tapellini