Hate Windows 8 already? The Pro OEM edition will let you downgrade to Vista

[wraggster]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/09/vista-on-surface.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/03/windows-8-downgrade-rights/)Relax, Gabe Newell. If you buy a new Windows 8 Pro (http://www.engadget.com/tag/windows+8+pro/) PC and discover that you really do detest the OSthat much (http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/26/windows-8-catastrophe/), you may be able to switch back to an older version -- either Windows 7 or Vista, but not near-death XP (http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/28/microsoft-reportedly-plans-windows-8-upgrades-all-the-way-from-xp/) -- under the same OEM license. Will many folks want to do that? Probably not, and in any case these so-called downgrade rights are actually only helpful in specific circumstances and they don't come with boxed retail versions of the software. The main practical benefit (albeit still a niche one) is that a manufacturer could technically offer a Windows 7 disc in the box with a new Windows 8 machine and give customers a choice of OS. Alternatively, the manufacturer could install Windows 7 by default (effectively a factory downgrade) and supply Windows 8 Pro installation media so that customers can upgrade for free when they feel good 'n ready. At some point, of course, staring at a redundant UI-switching button (http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/samsung-windows-8-activ-tab-hands-on/) is going to grate.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/03/windows-8-downgrade-rights/