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April 8, 2009
It is largely reported on the Web that a leaked internal memo from Microsoft suggests strongly that
Windows XP won't be retired yet and that the software giant will continue to support it for at least
another one-and-a-half to two years.
In its memo that was meant to stay internal, Microsoft says it will continue support for Windows XP
well beyond its latest retirement date of May 30 of this year.
Unconfirmed reports are also circulating that the company will allow Hewlett-Packard to continue
shipping its PCs with Windows XP up until April 30, 2010. If this is true, it’s then very likely that the
Redmond company will allow other computer makers do the same.
Despite Windows 7's early popularity, there’s still no confirmed release date, though it’s tentatively
scheduled for general availability later in Q4 of this year, according to various industry sources.
While Microsoft will continue to sell its venerable Windows XP, the software giant states in the memo
that XP mainstream support WILL be discontinued, and that only security updates will be provided.
Maybe one reason for the time extension has to do with the popularity of laptops and netbooks, primarily
designed for wireless communication and
Internet access to Internet-based applications.
Typically, netbooks run some version of the Linux operating system or Windows XP. Microsoft’s Vista is
too resource-intensive for the small, low-powered PCs and laptops.
Ed. note: It's important to remind users that Microsoft is STILL planning to retire XP Pro maintream support on
April 14, 2009 and will only provide OS security updates beyond that date unless the customer has an Extended
Hotfix Support contract.
MS Extended Support for XP Pro ends on April 8th, 2014, according to the memo. It will still cost buyers
of Windows Vista whose customers want to maintain downgrade rights. While some PC vendors like Dell are
charging as much as $150 to downgrade customers from Vista to XP, it’s still unknown how much HP will charge
for the same service.
The downgrades have been used to pacify businesses and consumers that were very unhappy with Vista’s
compatibility, security and performance woes.
Hewlett-Packard was contacted about this report, but has not responded with any comments. We are still
awaiting for a statement from them.
Microsoft’s take on all of this is that extending Windows XP to and beyond this cutoff date allows
computer users the choice of upgrading their systems to the better Vista (a euphuism for Windows 7) or
sticking with Windows XP.
"Based on average user feedback, Microsoft is further broadening its options provided to direct OEMs
to help customers facilitate end-user downgrade rights included in the product license terms of a new
system with either Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate.
These product versions are the only ones to include such end-user downgrade rights,” said a Microsoft
spokesperson.
“This option is designed to help direct OEMs further support customers, primarily small-business
customers, looking for Windows XP Professional due to application compatibility concerns."
"End-user downgrade rights are an option in the end-user license for Windows Vista Business and Ultimate products,
and therefore WILL remain in effect for the life of the product, so this change does not represent an
extension,” the spokesperson said.
“Microsoft doesn't have a downgrade program, however. But it does offer downgrade rights as part of
some Windows Vista licenses, including Windows Vista Business purchased through the OEM channel."
"Microsoft does not charge or receive any additional royalty if a customer exercises those rights. Some customers
may choose or need to obtain media or installation services from third parties, such as OEMs, to install
the downgrade version,” the spokesperson said, adding that the inclusion of downgrade rights isn’t exclusive
to Vista and XP.
The spokesperson added that Microsoft also plans to further its downgrading habit.
Source: Microsoft.
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