Microsoft Extends Sales Of Windows XP Until June 30th, 2008
- 2
- Add a Comment
Microsoft is extending the sale of Windows XP for an additional five months in response to customer demands. OEM’s will be able to offer XP to both consumer and business customers until June 30, 2008. Support for XP Starter Edition for emerging markets will be extended until June 30, 2010.
In a statement Microsoft states:
While we’ve been pleased with the positive response we’ve seen and heard from customers using Windows Vista, there are some customers who need a little more time to make the switch to Windows Vista. As it turns out, our official policy as of 2002 is that versions of Windows are available through our retail and direct OEM partners for four years after they ship. Obviously this policy didn’t work with Windows XP given Windows Vista’s delivery date. As a practical matter, most of our previous operating system releases were available for about two years after the new version shipped, so maybe we were a little ambitious to think that we would need to make Windows XP available for only a year after the release of Windows Vista.
So we’re responding to feedback we have gotten from our OEM partners that some customers will benefit by extending availability of Windows XP to June 30, 2008 instead of the planned date of Jan. 30, 2008. Also, since some of the systems that ship in emerging markets don’t meet the requirements for Windows Vista, we will be extending availability of Windows XP Starter Edition to June 30, 2010. This will allow our OEM partners who sell PCs in emerging markets more opportunity to offer genuine Windows licenses. Windows XP Starter Edition is tailored to local markets, in local languages, and is compatible with a wide range of Windows-based applications and devices.
Interesting. Vista is selling well yet people still want XP machines. This is a complete 180 degree turn to previous Windows releases. Seems Microsoft is listening to their flock.
What do you think? Is the real reason have to do with Vista not receiving a warm and loving reception? 
Comments welcome.
Full article here.
2 Comments
Barry
September 28th, 2007
at 6:45pm
Sorry I’m on a role tonight about computers and cars.
Now I would just love to see an automobile manufacture put out a press release that goes something like this:
Were please with how customers are embracing the introduction of the 2007 x-ten model. And we realize there are some customers that may need a little more time to realize the tremendous benefits of switching to the x-ten model, so we have graciously decided to keep supporting the x-nine model for another year. Yes, you can still come into our exclusive dealers to get parts and repairs done on your antique x-nine model.
Ron Schenone
September 28th, 2007
at 6:55pm
Hi Barry,
Thanks for the comments.
Ron