Despite Microsoft's hype over the Vista operating system which was supposed to transform the way we all compute, it simply is not happening for many consumers. The operating system has been dismissed as bloated, unstable, and slow compared to Windows XP. The User Access Control (UAC) has also been found to be annoying by many consumers.

Due to the compalints, Microsoft has given the option to OEMs of offering a 'downgrade' to Windows XP for Vista Business and Ultimate customers. Vista Home Basic and Premium users are not eligible for the 'downgrade'. It is up to the OEM to offer the downgrade.

The time for getting Windows XP is running short - direct OEM and retail licensing of XP will stop on January 31, 2008.