Downgrading Windows: How low can you go?

Summary: It might come as no surprise that you can downgrade your Microsoft operating system one level, from Windows 8.x to Windows 7, for example, but did you know that you can limbo all the way down to Windows 95? You can.

While researching information for another article, I ran across a real gem on Microsoft's web site: a document titled, "Downgrade rights for Microsoft Volume Licensing, OEM, and full-package product licenses." As you can see in Figure 1 below, you may downgrade your desktop operating system to Windows NT 3.51 or to Windows 95 and every operating system since, from Microsoft's latest Windows 8.1 flagship. The big question is, "Why would you want to"? The answers to that simple question are far more interesting than the question itself. Microsoft has set the bar pretty low on this one.

But before I analyze the fascinating possibilities of this self-created loophole, allow me a momentary tangential pursuit. What if other products had this same downgrade capability? The most obvious one that comes to mind is automobiles. It would be cool if Chevrolet did this. I could buy a new Corvette and immediately downgrade it to a 1965 427ci, 4-speed, convertible, real metal awesome ride.

Figure 1: Downgrade matrix for Windows 8.1

OK, so there aren't that many examples where the downgraded version is that much cooler than the new purchase. The Corvette example works.

In the case of purchasing a new Canon T5i digital camera, I wouldn't want to downgrade to a Canon AE-1. I love my Canon AE-1 that I bought in 1983 but, let's be realistic, that's not a good trade.

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Goodbye Windows 8, hello Windows 8.1

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However, in the case of certain operating systems (namely, Windows 8.x), one could effectively argue the point that a "downgrade" to Windows 7 is a good trade. Extended support for Windows 7 stretches out to January 2020. That means you could use Windows 7 for the next five-and-a-half years, which gives Microsoft enough time to come up with something a bit more palatable to the masses and businesses.

Honestly, I don't know of too many businesses that wouldn't appreciate the ability to make that trade. That is unless business owners want to convert all desktop hardware to Surfaces or touch screen computers. Sure, it's possible but expensive. It's less expensive and more sensible to make that downgrade.

A funny side note is that Windows Vista is a downgrade option. Seriously Microsoft, trading one Corvette for another is one thing but trading a Corvette for a Chevette is quite another. And a broken Chevette at that.

Sorry, I digressed from my already-in-progress tangent.

The document's latest update was March 2014. That means that Microsoft's much loved Windows XP was one month away from being mothballed — at least in theory it was one month away from being mothballed. Customers had other ideas.

And how long has Windows 95 and Windows NT 3.51 been out of production support?

Do you see my point here?

If you decide to not support an operating system, as Microsoft has, why would you allow customers, especially Volume License customers, to downgrade to non-supported operating systems?

Windows 7 and even Windows Vista, I can see, because they're still supported but anything older and unsupported isn't just unwise, it's downright silly.

For example, I could purchase 100 brand new HP laptops, fresh from the factory with pre-installed Windows 8.1 on them, and because I'm a Volume License customer, I could instruct my IT department to reimage those 100 systems with Windows 95. 

Or, because I'm a Volume License customer, could I demand that HP preinstall Windows Vista on them instead of Windows 8.1?

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Yes, I'm being purposely facetious to prove a point. I'd never install Vista on anything that I didn't want thrown back at me. But I could do it according to the downgrade document.

I believe that companies will exercise this option to avoid moving to Windows 8.x. I feel that there are too many people who just aren't comfortable with Windows 8's interface, lack of a Start button, and the feeling of unfamiliarity that Windows 8.x has. I've gone back and forth on Windows 8 myself. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I hate it, and sometimes I think that I'm glad I switched to a Mac for my primary personal computer.

No, Windows 8.x isn't the first operating system to offer downgrades. They all have. I can remember back when Vista first hit the market. Users could downgrade to Windows XP. I advised as many as I possibly could to do so.

If you haven't yet gleaned the answer to the question posed in the first paragraph, "Why would you want to?,"

• Windows 8.x isn't ready for prime time business.
• Earlier versions of Windows are more user friendly.
• Users want to remain productive.
• Businesses don't want or need disruptive work environments.
• Earlier Windows versions are now "off the radar" for hackers and malware writers.
• Older versions require less hardware.
• The price to upgrade is too high.
• Not everyone wants to use a touch screen.

I think that Windows 8 was a nice try for Microsoft. And maybe it will work out in the long term. But in the short term, Windows 8 is a fail. Many companies and individuals will continue to use Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 before making the leap into the newer Metro-ized desktop systems.

I'd like to know how many Microsoft employees use Windows 8.x as opposed to how many have stayed with versions 7 and older. It wouldn't surprise me to find that at least 60 percent still use an older version. At one time, I heard that a large number of Microsoft employees used Linux, but I never verified that claim.

Any Microsoft employees want to participate in an interview with me? I won't reveal your identity, if you choose to do so.

What do you think of the downgrade options for operating systems? Would you exercise your right, use what's installed on your systems, or even chance a mass conversion to Windows 8.x? Talk back and let me know.

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Topics: Windows, Enterprise Software, Microsoft, Operating Systems

Microsoft's $2.5B Acquisition of Minecraft Could Be Announced Monday -- Report

Analyst suggests the acquisition is meant to support Microsoft's mobile business.

Reports that Microsoft will buy Minecraft developer Mojang might be confirmed very soon.

"A source briefed on the matter" told Reuters that Microsoft will officially reveal it will acquire Mojang for $2.5 billion tomorrow, Monday, September 15. Note that the figure is higher than the $2 billion first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

According to Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund, the deal is meant to support Microsoft's mobile business. "We don’t view this acquisition as a signal of Microsoft's intent to double down on Xbox but consider it an attempt to better address mobile on a cross-platform basis," He said. "This also appears to be consistent with (Microsoft) CEO Satya Nadella’s mobile and cloud strategy."

Minecraft: Pocket Edition, the mobile version of the game available through the iTunes App Store and Google Play, is indeed tremendously popular. In April, Jens Bergensten of the Mojang’s mobile team revealed that Pocket Edition sold over 21 million copies.

Minecraft is already available on PC, mobile, Xbox 360, and PS3, and it recently released on PlayStation 4and Xbox One. The game continues to make it onto both digital and retail top 10 sales charts month after month. Purported inside sources speaking to Bloomberg claim that "Microsoft will keep Minecraft available for rival products" should the deal go ahead.

Would you be more likely to buy a Windows Phone or a Surface tablet if it was the best mobile device to play Minecraft? 

Google reveals the first ultra-cheap Android One smartphones

The new initiative kicks off with downloadable YouTube videos in India

Google has unveiled the first smartphones to run on its Android One platform, a standard designed to help push affordable smartphones in the developing world. The initiative kicks off in India, where Micromax, Spice, and Karbonn are all selling phones with 4.5-inch screens, 1GB of RAM, 5-megapixel main and 2-megapixel front cameras, 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek processors, dual-SIM slots, microSD expandable storage, and FM radios.

Android One devices will ship with support for more languages, including Hindi, and feature more local publications in Google Play Newsstand. Google is also making a special version of YouTube available which will allow Indian users to download videos and re-watch them multiple times without incurring excessive data charges. The first phones are expected to retail for 6399 rupees ($105).

Similarly inexpensive smartphones have been around for a while, but Android One represents a concerted effort from Google to put its stamp on the user experience. These phones will all run close-to-stock Android without heavy manufacturer customizations, and Google will be able to push software updates itself. This should avoid the situation that arose a few years ago in other parts of the world, where low-powered phones were stuck on early versions of Android without any hope of an update, leaving customers unable to access new apps and services. Google has adopted a similar strategy at the higher ends of the market with its Nexus and Google Play edition devices that run stock Android.

Indian customers on carrier Airtel will be able to download software updates, including theupcoming Android L release, for the first six months of ownership. Google and Airtel are also offering 200MB of data a month on top of the regular cap for downloading apps from the Play store.

HTC, LENOVO, AND OTHERS ARE SIGNING UP

After India, Android One phones are set to make their way to Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal before the end of the year. Google says phone manufacturers including HTC, Asus, Acer, Panasonic, and Lenovo are joining the program, alongside chip maker Qualcomm.

India is the second biggest mobile market in the world, but hasn't yet achieved strong smartphone penetration. As such, it's a major growth opportunity for the likes of Google and Microsoft, which has achieved some success in certain parts of the world with its low-cost Nokia Lumia Windows Phone handsets. Handset makers like Micromax are also producing cheap Windows Phone devices, but with Android One, Google may have found a way to provide a consistent experience on the world's most prevalent mobile ecosystem to a whole new audience.

THE MOBILE AND ONLINE BANKING REPORT

THE MOBILE AND ONLINE BANKING REPORT: Mobile Is Pulling Customers Away From Branches And Online Banking To Read The Full Report, Sign Up For A Free Trial Today » The relationship between consumers and their banks is in a period of dramatic upheaval brought on by the rapid pace of technological innovation. Bricks-and-mortar banks are losing relevance among consumers—particularly millennials. Banks face looming competition from tech giants such as Square, PayPal, Apple and Google. Fifty percent of North Americans say they would be likely to bank with Square should the company offer a banking service, for example. To stay relevant, banks will have to rethink the channels through which they reach their customers and the services that they provide to them. In a new report from BI Intelligence, we analyze how consumer banking habits have changed, how it has affected retail banks and we explore a number of things banks can do to stay ahead of the curve. Access the Full Report By Signing Up For A Free Trial Today » Here are some of the key elements from the report: Worldwide, mobile banking is now more popular with bank customers than visiting brick-and-mortar branches. Fifty-seven percent of customers do their banking online on a weekly basis, while nearly one-fourth use mobile banking weekly (up 9 percentage points from 2013). Only 14% visit a bank branch every week. Mobile is completely changing the customer-bank relationship. (See chart, above.) At the top three banks in the United States, about half of all online customers also use mobile banking. Now that active mobile banking users have reached about 50% of online customers, growth in adoption is slowing, following typical tech adoption trends. Large retail banks have a lot at stake as they try to court mobile-centric millennials in particular. The next generation of banking consumers is less satisfied with its banks than older age groups and is willing to bank with non-traditional financial institutions. Offering mobile services like mobile check deposits is the minimum banks can do to stay on the cutting edge of the revolution in banking and attract tech-savvy customers. There are also opportunities in payments in the form of mobile wallets, wearables, peer-to-peer payments, and international remittances. In full, the report: Analyzes the retail banking market (9 charts). Explores how consumer banking behavior has changed in the digital era (8 charts). Forecasts mobile banking investment through 2018 (2 chart). Gives examples of four types of services that banks could offer to stay ahead in mobile (4 charts).

Super Junior 슈퍼주니어_BONAMANA(미인아)_MUSIC VIDEO

10 least expensive states to live in the U.S.

(Photo: Thinkstock)

Erika Rawes, Wall St. Cheat Sheet

How important is your location to you? When searching for a place to live, generally each person (or family) has something at the very top of their priorities list, which is the single most important factor for them in choosing a home. For many people, this factor is location.

Golan's Moving and Storage reports that around 43 million Americans move each year — around 60% of people move for work, military, or government, and another 40% move for personal reasons. For those who have the option to choose their location — they're unattached, they're retired, or maybe they work from home — living costs may play a large role in where they decide to relocate.

It's pretty amazing to see how a two-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,500 square foot house on a quiet street can cost $100,000 in one city, and then the exact same house (same size, specs, and amenities) in another city and state may cost upwards of $500,000. In the past on Zillow, there's been a listing for a three-bedroom, two and a half-bathroom, 1,500 square foot home in Johnson City, Tenn. This home is priced at $126,000. A townhouse with similar specifications in San Diego is priced at $499,000.

The difference? Location, location, location.

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If you're looking for a low-cost place to live with cheaper housing, groceries, and utilities, reviewing the cheapest states is a good place to start. This list of the cheapest states uses data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center and other resources. Each state is ranked by its cost of living index, as of the first quarter of 2014.

10. Arkansas

Cost of Living Index: 92.5
Grocery Index: 94.0
Housing Index: 83.6
Transportation Index: 88.8
Utilities Index: 97.3
Health Index: 90.0
Misc: 99.3

According to Zillow, the median home value in Arkansas is $110,800 — around $65,000 less than the national index. Keep in mind that although the median value is around $111,000, the median list and sale prices for homes are $143,000 and $149,810, respectively. You're more than likely going to pay closer to list or sale prices. Property taxes are reasonable in Arkansas, though, with the median tax rate currently at 0.52%. If you were to rent a place in Arkansas, you'd be looking at a median rent price of $850.

Groceries, transportation, utilities, and even healthcare are a bit cheaper in this state, as well. If you live in a small apartment in Little Rock, you're looking at a cost of around $135 for your utilities (electric, water, and trash service). You can go to the movies for less than $9 per person, and if you want to go out to a mid-range restaurant afterwards, you're probably going to pay around $30 for you and a guest.

9. Iowa

Cost of Living Index: 92.5
Grocery Index: 93.3
Housing Index: 88.5
Transportation Index: 94.0
Utilities Index: 91.4
Health Index: 96.7
Misc: 94.3

Iowa is neck and neck with Arkansas in terms of overall cost of living. Housing is a bit more expensive in Iowa, however, with the median home value at just under $130,000. If you buy a home at the median list price, you're going to pay around $140,000, which generally results in a mortgage payment of no more than $900 per month. At a 1.29% median rate, Iowa's property taxes are in the mid-range.

Your bills should remain pretty low in most areas of Iowa, as well. According to Numbeo, utilities for a small apartment (water, trash service, and electric) in Des Moines should only cost around $110. Dinner and a movie will probably be around $50 for you and a guest.

8. Alabama

Cost of Living Index: 92.4
Grocery Index: 99.6
Housing Index: 78.8
Transportation Index: 93.6
Utilities Index: 102.7
Health Index: 88.4
Misc: 97.1

In Alabama, you're looking at home values of around $123,000. As of late, homes are selling for around $158,000. In some areas, like the Mobile metropolitan area, you can buy residential real estate for under $100,000 and also reap the benefits of Alabama's low median property tax rate of 0.33%. You can rent for pretty cheap as well — the median rent across the state is only $850.

According to Numbeo, you can buy a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Birmingham for around $11, and utilities for a small apartment in that area (electricity, water, trash service) should cost around $190. If you and a friend go out to dinner and a movie, you're probably going to pay around $60.

7. Nebraska

Cost of Living Index: 91.7
Grocery Index: 95.2
Housing Index: 81.2
Transportation Index: 95.8
Utilities Index: 97.4
Health Index: 98.8
Misc: 94.2

Inexpensive housing and lower miscellaneous costs make Nebraska an affordable state to live in. You can rent a home for a median price of $900 per month and if you decide to buy, median home values are around $132,000 and selling prices are under $150K, according to Zillow estimates. Property taxes in this area can be high, though, with the median rate at 1.76%.

You may be able to catch a break on costs like gym memberships, movie and theater tickets, and clothing in some areas of the Cornhusker state. That dinner and a movie we've been talking about — it'll cost you around 50 bucks or so in Omaha.

6. Kansas

Cost of Living Index: 91.3
Grocery Index: 91.2
Housing Index: 83.3
Transportation Index: 93.9
Utilities Index: 95.3
Health Index: 95.6
Misc: 94.7

Items like milk or bread may be a bit cheaper in many parts of Kansas, as a result of lower food costs. Numbeo estimates the cost of a dozen eggs at around $1.35 in the Topeka area, which is less than in many other areas of the country.

Housing in the Sunflower state is especially inexpensive, with median values sitting at around $115,000 and list prices at around $145,000. In some areas of Kansas — again, such as the Topeka metro area — you may just find a home for under $100,000. Property taxes, however, can be a bit on the higher end, with the median rate at 1.29%.

5. Indiana

Cost of Living Index: 90.7
Grocery Index: 92.5
Housing Index: 79.6
Transportation Index: 98.9
Utilities Index: 93.4
Health Index: 95.7
Misc: 94.1

Zillow reports median home values in Indiana at around $110,000, which is only around two-thirds of the national median home value. List prices are closer to the $140,000 price point and property taxes are right in the mid range, with a median rate of 0.85%. You can rent a home in the Hoosier state for a the median price of $825.

Lower prices on grocery and utilities in some areas of Indiana also allow for a lower overall cost of living. In Indianapolis, utilities in a small apartment will probably run you about $155, and for dinner and a movie for you and a friend (or a date), you may pay a little over $60.

4. Oklahoma

Cost of Living Index: 90.4
Grocery Index: 92.4
Housing Index: 79.8
Transportation Index: 93.5
Utilities Index: 92.2
Health Index: 96.5
Misc: 95.2

In the Sooner state, you can rent a home for the median price of $950. Although rent is a bit higher, median home values seem much more affordable, with values of just under $109,000 and list prices of around $145,000 to $150,000. Property taxes are also on the lower end, wit a median rate of 0.74%.

According to Numbeo, dinner and a movie for two in Oklahoma City should cost $60, and utilities in a small apartment should be around $142. Other entertainment expenses, like gym memberships and theater tickets, are a bit lower in many of the OK metros, as well.

3. Kentucky

Cost of Living Index: 90.0
Grocery Index: 91.2
Housing Index: 77.3
Transportation Index: 96.5
Utilities Index: 98.4
Health Index: 91.1
Misc: 94.4

Across the board, Kentucky's living costs are lower than the U.S. average. In several areas of the Bluegrass state, like certain parts of Louisville for instance, you can find areas where there are fairly priced groceries and utilities.Numbeo estimates the average cost of utilities for a small apartment in Louisville at less than $140, and the average cost for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant at only around $8.

To rent a home, you're looking at a statewide median price of $850 and for those looking to buy, median home values currently sit at around $126,500 and list prices, at around $150,000. In addition to well-priced housing, you can also benefit from Kentucky's lower median property tax rate of 0.72%.

2. Tennessee

Cost of Living Index: 89.7
Grocery Index: 93.5
Housing Index: 77.2
Transportation Index: 93.5
Utilities Index: 91.1
Health Index: 89.7
Misc: 96.0

In Tennessee, you can find some of the most inexpensive housing in the U.S. Although the median home value in Tennessee is a little over $120,000, in some areas like Union City and Humboldt, you can easily find a nice, single family home for around $60,000. Property taxes are also low, with the median rate at 0.68%.

Current Zillow listings in the Knoxville area for small 1,000 foot detached homes with three bedrooms and one or two bathrooms are priced in the $20,000 to $50,000 range. For someone who works from home or is retired, and is seeking a lower cost life style, Tennessee is certainly an option worth checking out.

1. Mississippi

Cost of Living Index: 87.8
Grocery Index: 90.1
Housing Index: 72.4
Transportation Index: 95.4
Utilities Index: 86.6
Health Index: 91.3
Misc: 95.9

In Mississippi, you're looking at a rent payment of around $875 (if you pay the state median). If you were to buy a home, low property taxes and lower-cost housing make Mississippi an affordable option. Zillow reports median home values are just over $112,000 and median list prices are currently $155,000. The median property tax rate is only 0.52%.

In addition to affordable housing, you can also find lower-priced food, healthcare, and utilities in the Magnolia state. In Jackson, utilities in a small place can be purchased for around $175 per month, and you and a guest can go out for the night for dinner and a movie for around $60.

Wall St. Cheat Sheet is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.