People of the internet, you have been heard! After being made a laughingstock due to the poor reception of Windows Vista (and much to the horror of the computer equipment companies which have to install the software on the PCs they sell), Microsoft has quietly begun to allow manufacturers to preload computers with a "downgrade" option, letting users run (screaming, I figure) back to Windows XP.

Details vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and only apply to computers sold with Vista Business or Ultimate editions. Different vendors are handling the downgrade in a variety of ways: Fujitsu and HP, for example, offer the option of getting an XP disc in the box with its laptops, while Lenovo is allowing users to purchase a Windows XP recovery CD any time until July 31, 2008. In most cases, the XP CDs are very inexpensive, sometimes free.

Meanwhile, Microsoft's requirement that vendors no longer preload XP on computers is still set to take effect on January 31, 2008, though vendors have four more months to attempt to get Microsoft to change its tune.

Bottom line: If you bought a new machine with Vista preloaded (and remember, it must be Professional or Ultimate; neither Home version is eligible), call the company that sold you the computer or check its website to see if a downgrade CD is available. If you're customizing a new computer, inquire into downgrade a CD at the time of purchase. It'll be a lot easier to get one now rather than after you've bought it.

LINK: The XP alternative for Vista PCs