Windows XP allowed to live again Microsoft has extended Windows XP's life again. The Vista-pusher can't seem to get customers to switch to their latest and greatest, so they keep announcing XP's final day, and then change the date of its death.

"Microsoft has given yet another reprieve to its seasoned Windows XP operating system. The cut off date for PC makers to obtain licenses for the software was 31 January 2009. But now Microsoft has put in place a scheme that will allow the hardware firms to get hold of XP licences until 30 May 2009.

Windows XP was originally due to disappear off shop shelves on 30 January 2008. It was to be removed so as to make way for Windows Vista which went on sale to consumers early in 2007.

Despite Microsoft's claims that Vista has sold well, consumers have reacted badly to its release.

Microsoft granted the reprieve largely because of customer's preference for XP."

Labels: microsoft, vista, xp

  ¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 12/22/2008 03:43:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

  Microsoft announces Windows XP support through 2014

Microsoft may have little choice but to support XP for an extended period since most of its business customers have not upgraded to Windows Vista.

"In an unprecedented move, Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) has committed to providing support services for its soon to be retired Windows XP through 2014 -- a full 13 years after the operating system was originally released.

In a letter sent to customers this week, Microsoft senior VP Bill Veghte said the software maker will provide security patches "and other critical updates" for Windows XP until April, 2014.

"Our ongoing support for Windows XP is the result of our recognition that people keep their Windows-based PCs for many years," Veghte wrote."

In addition to supporting XP through 2014, Microsoft is now actively promoting a program that allows customers to downgrade Vista systems to XP through a loophole in the company's licensing terms. Microsoft's software license allows customers who purchase a copy of Windows to install and run a previous version of the OS at no additional cost."

Labels: microsoft, xp

  ¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 6/24/2008 06:07:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

  Microsoft extends XP's life "SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. said Thursday it will keep selling a version of Windows XP for use on a new breed of low-cost computers for at least two years longer than the system will be available for mainstream PCs.

The software maker said Windows XP Home will be available at least through June 2010 for computers like Intel Corp.'s Classmate PC and ASUSTek Computer Inc.'s Eee PC. But Microsoft also vowed to keep XP on the market for those machines for a year after the next version of Windows is released, which could mean 2011 or later.

The low-cost machines have smaller hard drives, less memory and slower processors than most Windows computers sold today, and most would have a hard time running the bulkier Windows Vista.

Microsoft had planned to stop selling most versions of XP at the end of June 2008, with exceptions for small computer-building shops and PCs sold in developing countries."

Labels: microsoft, xp

  ¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 4/03/2008 09:01:00 PM 0 comments links to this post