Windows XP Lives to Fight Another Day

Microsoft has extended the deadline for computer makers to get Windows XP licenses out to May 30, 2009.

Microsoft might be spending hundreds of millions of dollars in an advertising campaign to promote Vista and the “Windows platform”…but the company is continuing to enable users to set hands on yesterday’s technology at tomorrow’s prices. Once again, Microsoft has extended the lifetime of its venerable Windows XP operating system, enabling computer manufacturers to continue to obtain licenses for the system through May 30, 2009.

Windows XP was originally slated to go off the market in January 2008, in favor of Windows Vista which became available to consumers in early 2007. However, initial uptake on Vista was problematic for many users and organizations, and demand for Windows XP continued to be strong. So-called “netbook” PCs have also extended the lifespan of WIndows XP, as Microsoft specifically extended the operating system’s lifespan so OEMs could install it on low-cost portable notebook systems that don’t have the horsepower to run Windows Vista effectively.

The new extension applies to computer manufacturers installing Windows XP on new systems: they still have to get their license orders in to Microsoft by January 31, 2009, but can take delivery at any time up until May 30, 2009. Manufacturers had balked at the cut-off date, since it would force them to stockpile XP licenses and hope they could sell them off—or hope that they had bought enough—after the deadline expired.

Microsoft’s next major revision to Windows, now officially named Windows 7, is due in early 2010, with early versions due in late 2009. At this rate, Windows XP may still be available when Windows 7 hits the streets.