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Information Technology News Windows XP - the OS that won't die
Information Technology News Windows XP - the OS that won't die | Windows XP - the OS that won't die |
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| by Stephen Withers | |
| Monday, 06 October 2008 | |
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Another issue concerns systems that are more powerful than those for which Microsoft still offers XP licences (eg, netbooks and ultra-low cost PCs), but which aren't sufficiently powerful to run Vista well. Either way, there is still demand for XP - but it is a demand that Microsoft seems reluctant to fill, even though it will continue to develop security patches until April 2014. Microsoft had previously announced that the downgrade option - which applies to Vista Business or Ultimate, and XP Professional - will cease on January 31, 2009. But according to a leaked email, the company will allow XP to be offered in conjunction with Vista until the end of July 2009. More accurately, Microsoft will continue to supply computer makers with XP discs until that time. The actual downgrade rights will continue, so vendors and their customers will still be able to legitimately install XP if they have the right media. But there's nothing for the customers of small PC suppliers. Microsoft has confirmed that the January 31, 2009 cutoff will remain for so-called system builders who want to purchase XP licences for the systems they assemble for customers. Perhaps the real significance of the announcement is that it means there will be only a short period which Vista will be Microsoft's only mainstream OS. There's some expectation that Windows 7 will be ready in the second half of 2009, but even if it doesn't debut until early 2010 that's only a few months after XP's phase-out. Indeed, the latest XP extension could be interpreted as a hint that Windows 7 will indeed go on sale in 2009.
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