HP promotes Windows 7 PC sales; says they are "back by popular demand"

We will never know the agreement between HP and Microsoft.

My thinking is HP is in the business of selling computers not operating systems.
They are pushing Windows 7 because it sells more computers.

Re Windows 7 Driver:
If you install Windows 7 doesn't MS still provide a comprehensive automatic driver download?
If this support hasn't ended, when will it end?

It turns out HP's advertising campaign is a bit misleading in that they have been offering some PCs with Win 7 all along. See here for more details.

HAVOC said:

The IT guy at work just ordered a bunch of HP's with Windows 7. So is this just for the corporate environment or consumers also?

Apparently both. Check here.

mjf said:

Re Windows 7 Driver:
If you install Windows 7 doesn't MS still provide a comprehensive automatic driver download?
If this support hasn't ended, when will it end?

Everything you want to know here:

Windows lifecycle fact sheet - Microsoft Windows Help

Windows 7 is going to be around for a long time. Thank God.

Basic drivers are not as good as dedicated drivers from the manufacturer. Most companies are starting to provide them now for windows 7 since a lot of people are filling up there phones with angry questions on how to even do something on windows 8.

I have a lot of friends in retail and they state that in my state, almost every windows 8 PC they sell gets returned, because they get frustrated trying to use it.

Certainly I won't let MS auto install drivers during a routine Windows update without asking me. In particular, I would always take control of graphics from Nvidia or whoever the manufacturer may be.