Vista May Invalidate Your XP Key. Here's How To Get Around It

Judging from your emails and comments, a number of you are interested in upgrading to Vista from XP, but are worried about what might happen along the way.

You're right. Never mind the fact that you shouldn't upgrade from XP, there's something else to worry about: If you run your Vista upgrade the normal way, your Windows XP key may no longer work if you decide you want to go back. That's right: The upgrade version of Vista just might be a one-way trip.

Now the good news, there's a workaround. Detailed instructions are located here, but mainly it involves not entering your product key when you first install, though unfortunately you will have to install Vista a second time later in the procedure. It's a hassle, but I think it's worth it: This is a small price to pay to be able to go back to XP should you decide Vista just isn't for you, or if, more likely, you find out your computer isn't able to handle Vista's hefty system requirements.

In other news, there are conflicting reports online as to whether this is actually true or just a draconian term in Vista's license. I'll update this post once more details shake out (if they ever do)...