Microsoft extends Windows XP life to May 2009
Yet again Windows XP has been given another stay of execution by Microsoft in what looks to be a response to demand for the OS from PC manufacturers.
The latest cut off date for licenses of Microsoft’s old OS was January 31 2009, but that has now been extended to May 30 2009 – a full 16 months longer than Microsoft originally intended. The reason being manufacturers are still seeing demand for Windows XP and were contemplating placing large orders before the cut off dat in January to allow them to continue to supply customers.
Now Microsoft has changed the system slightly. Orders for licenses will still have to be placed before January 31st next year, but delivery of those licenses can be specified any time up to May 30th.
Read more at BBC News
Matthew’s Opinion
The extension might not seem like much, but it does mean we could potentially still be seeing Windows XP sold in 2010 (outside of netbooks). What the delivery extension allows manufacturers to do is place very large orders now, but spread out the shipments until May. So on May 30th some manufacturers may decide to take a final delivery with enough licenses to see them through the rest of the year and into 2010.
The other side effect of this decision is we could see three different Windows operating systems available to buy at the same time not including server versions. With Windows 7 expected some time next year it’s almost a certainty this will happen and surely something Microsoft wanted to avoid.
The final nail in the Vista coffin could be sales of the OS dying off quicker than Windows XP before 2009 is over, leaving Windows XP and Windows 7 to keep on selling. Who knows, XP may get a further extension and may require one depending on the reception Windows 7 gets.
