Lenovo is offering a Windows XP Recovery CD designed to make life easier for its customers that want to go back from Windows Vista to Windows XP. Vista downgrade rights are inherent with Microsoft's Software Assurance license, as well as with the licenses for the operating system distributed by original equipment manufacturers. So SA Microsoft customers having acquired Windows Vista Enterprise from the company via volume licensing, or Windows Vista Business and Ultimate from OEMs, have the option to continue using an older edition of the Windows operating system until they get their environment ready for Vista. The process is of course referred to as a downgrade, in contrast to upgrading to Microsoft's latest operating system.

"Downgrade rights are granted in connection with systems software licenses acquired through Volume Licensing, FPP, and OEM and enrolled in Software Assurance coverage," Microsoft informed, revealing that the Enterprise edition of Windows Vista can be downgraded to the following operating systems: Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows NT 4.0, Windows NT 3.51, Windows 98, or Windows 95. Alternative, lower grade editions of Vista, as well as Windows XP Home Edition, or Windows Millennium are not viable downgrade options in the context of volume licensing deals.

When it comes to OEM licenses, generally Microsoft does not allow for downgrade rights. Two exceptions to this rule are Windows Vista Business and Ultimate. And one example of a computer manufacturer making life easy for clients looking to downgrade Vista to XP is Lenovo. The world's third largest computer manufacturer is offering a Windows XP Recovery CD designed to take Vista down a notch to Windows XP.

"Have a Microsoft Windows Vista Business or Microsoft Windows Ultimate system, but need to continue using Microsoft Windows XP for awhile? For a limited time Lenovo is providing Windows XP Recovery CD media as a way to downgrade from Windows Vista. Lenovo customers that have Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate "qualified systems" may purchase a Windows XP Recovery CD until July 31, 2008," Lenovo revealed.

The Ultimate and Business editions of Vista can be downgraded only to Windows XP Professional, including Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP x64 Edition, and of course that Lenovo's offer is limited to its own customers. "Qualified systems are Lenovo notebook and desktop systems purchased with a Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate preloaded operating system.
There will be a limit of one Windows XP Recovery CD set per customer, per serial number for each system series with preloaded software, including Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate," Lenovo added.

But the best thing about the Windows XP Recovery CD is that the operating system will not require activation from Microsoft, but will contain the operating system and adjacent applications, as well as all the drivers, language support and programs required by the client.