This tidbit comes straight from the “give it a rest already folks” department.  The word around the Web is that Microsoft is backtracking on its previous promise to terminate the XP downgrade option.  It sounds like Microsoft is going to make some versions of Windows 7 eligible for a downgrade to Windows XP for a while yet.

It was laughable when the downgrade option was so popular when Vista was rolled out some three-and-a-half years ago.  Now it just seems “sad.”  It's sad in that we're two major releases past XP and companies are still fighting migrating to a newer version of Windows.  And while the sadness blame fell on Microsoft for the troubled Vista rollout, now it's falling on the businesses that are still fighting the switch.

Windows 7 should prove to be a smoother transition than the one to Vista.  So, the arguments cited for bucking the Vista transition should have been mitigated.  Now, the resistance can really only be blamed on laziness and penny-pinching.  It's the bottom of the 15th inning for XP, and companies should count themselves fortunate that they've been able to skate by for as long as they have with this system.

Microsoft needs to realize that until it pulls the plug on XP for good, there are always going to be those companies that will clamor for support.  For all parties, it's time to put it to rest.  And in fact, to start making arrangements for Vista too.

1. •Computerworld
   Microsoft extends Windows XP downgrade rights until 2020
   

2. •Ars Technica
   Support for Windows 2000 and Windows XP SP2 comes to an end