Today marks a symbolic milestone in the life span of Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system: June 30 marks the last official day Microsoft is offering Windows XP for sale. In theory, once computers with XP pre-installed on their hard drives clear out of inventory, it will no longer be possible to buy a new PC with Windows XP as the default operating system. Instead, users will have to buy a PC with some flavor of Windows Vista pre-installed…although this doesn’t actually mean the end of the six year-old Windows XP.
Not by a long shot.
Microsoft is still permitting small PC builders to bundle XP with their systems through the end of January 2009; Microsoft will also continue offering a version of Windows XP for low-end, ultra low-cost PCs like the Asus Eee and the OLPC XO. And, folks who want a spiffy new computer running Windows XP, users will be able to legally downgrade a license for Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows XP…although some manufacturers are likely to tack an additional fee onto the price if users want the system pre-installed.
And Windows XP will be on Microsoft’s product radar for many years to come: last week, Microsoft announced it will continue support Windows XP through 2014.
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