Remember Microsoft’s “downgrade” license option for Windows Vista that forces customers who want Windows XP to buy a Vista copy along with it? As expected, a lot of users are taking “advantage” of that option to stick with Windows XP even as Microsoft gloats at their Vista sales numbers and tells their customers that they’re stupid to not like it.

According to an InfoWorld story, 35% of Vista users have gone back to Windows XP after having paid for its seven-year younger sibling. That’s one in every three business PCs. Oh, how much they must loathe Vista to even consider such a thing, let alone do it without so much as blinking an eye. Of course, Microsoft still keeps lumbering on unabated, putting on a cheerful face and singing praises of Windows Vista, even as they frantically work on Windows 7, trying to get it out the door at some time before 2015 [I bet you a fresh chocolate chip cookie that we get hoverboards before we get Windows 7 -DM].

It’s a lot like Apple’s MobileMe fiasco, the only difference being to whom the companies in question assign blame: while Apple’s going around apologizing for the problems and handing out free service extensions, Microsoft’s busy trying to convince customers that it’s their fault that Vista sucks and forcing them to pony up the cash for it, even if they have no intent to use it. Don’t you just want to give them a Nobel Prize already?