Although Microsoft has already confirmed the release date for its latest operating system, Windows 7, they are still very much scared to let go of their highly popular and undoubtedly, biggest hit of all time, Windows XP.

The Windows XP downgrade deadline was originally set at July 31, 2009. Downgrade because, companies will charge you a fee in order to ship your computer with Windows XP instead of the usually loaded Windows Vista.

However, this extension to 2011 doesn’t come with any concrete dates. Microsoft only says that the XP downgrade option will be available for only 18 months after the release of Windows 7 (which means it might be until April 2011), “or until the release of a Windows 7 service pack, whichever is sooner.”

[via Best Techie and Engadget]