Windows XP license deadline extended to May 30
The previous end date was January 31st, but Microsoft agreed to humor vendors and manufacturers who still see demand.
If you're a PC user but you're not a big fan of Windows Vista, you'll be happy to hear that the book isn't closed on Windows XP just year. Microsoft has announced it will continue distributing licenses for the aged operating system to vendors up through May 30th, rather than through the original end date of January 31st. Keep in mind, this is just to retailers and computer manufacturers, and they'll still have to place the orders before the end of next month.
And even after May, XP will prove hard to kill, kind of like Rasputin. Microsoft will still sell copies of it exclusively with netbooks too weak to run Windows Vista. That will continue into 2010, after Windows 7's supposed launch. So one way or another it looks like you'll be able to skip out on Vista entirely and jump straight to Windows 7. If you want to, that is.
This story around the web:
- Trusted sources:
BBC NEWS | Technology | Windows XP allowed to… [news.bbc.co.uk]
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Techmeme: Windows XP allowed to live again… [techmeme.com]
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Microsoft again extends Windows XP drop-dead… [Latest from Computerworld]
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Microsoft quietly extends Windows XP… [TG Daily]
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Microsoft Windows XP Availability Extended… [I4U News]
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Windows XP Given Stay of Execution... Again [Switched]
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Windows XP Is Not Down And Out [Ubergizmo]
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Windows XP licencing extended to May 30th [SlashGear]
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Microsoft grants Windows XP a reprieve |… [news.cnet.com]
Get more information on topics relating to this story:
- Related company news:
- Microsoft
- Related glossary terms:
- Netbook, Operating system
- Related brand news:
- Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows 7
- Related devices and services:
- Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows XP Home, Microsoft Windows XP Professional
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Comments (1)
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Dorie P. (7:57 PM on Tue Dec 23, 2008)
It's good news all the way around. In these tough economic times, esp. for local governments, we have only one computer that has Vista. Since it has been a pain to interface on our peer-to-peer network, we are not inclined to nickel-and-dime our way to Vista. We will save our pennies and take the plunge all together (maybe with Windows 7?). Anything to save a buck. There's my two cents' worth.