Like many other PC makers, Dell too had stopped offering machines with Windows XP after the launch of Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system, but later succumbed to popular demand and again started offering Windows XP as option.

Yet again, Dell has come ahead and said it will continue to offer Windows XP to consumers even after June 30, the official sales cut-off date announced by Microsoft. The company plans to do so by taking advantage of the licensing option offered with Vista Business and Vista Ultimate. Under the license program called the downgrade license, those buying Vista Business and Vista Ultimate will have the option to downgrade to the older version of the operating system. So when users purchase a Vista copy, they will automatically get an XP copy as well under the same license.

By taking advantage of this program, Dell will offer some laptops and desktops pre-installed with XP as well as bundling the Vista installation DVD. The downgrade program will be available for free on some laptops, including Dell Latitude, OptiPlex, and Precision as well as on some gaming systems like Vostro and Dell XPS. However in case of gaming systems, users will have to shell out some bucks from their pocket. This program by Dell will be supported as long as Microsoft supports the downgrade program. Apart from Dell, some other major PC makers like HP and Lenovo also intend to offer the same option to their customers.

Meanwhile, last week, Microsoft Chief Steve Ballmer said that the company could re-consider phasing out Windows XP after June 30, if customers so desire.