Windows XP going off market in June: What it means

Microsoft originally announced over a year ago that Windows XP would be going off the market in January 2008. XP was later given a brief stay of execution, to June 30, 2008. That deadline is fast approaching, which has led to much panicking from people who aren't quite sure what XP's "going off market" means, exactly.

People are still as confused as ever. So let's take a stab at clarifying, once again, what's going to happen by answering some frequently asked questions about XP's imminent disappearance.

Will Windows XP really no longer be on sale after June 30? Sorry for the double negative, but no. All this means is that Microsoft will stop selling the OS. Finding a computer with XP preinstalled will likely be very difficult, as well. However, you'll still be able to find copies for the foreseeable future, and likely the unforeseeable one, too. See for yourself: You can find copies of just about any Microsoft product, including ancient versions of Windows and even MS-DOS, by simply searching online. But hang on to your current copy of Windows XP. You may need it down the road if you don't want to move to Vista.

Will I be forced to upgrade to Vista soon? No. But it will get harder and harder not to, especially since new software and peripherals are likely to stop working with XP. That could take years.

Will my XP machine stop working in June? No, but Microsoft will stop releasing non-security software updates to the masses on April 14, 2009. But let's be clear: XP will continue to "work" even after this point.

Will Microsoft shut off product activation for XP after June? No, that would be crazy. While no one has said this will happen, it's conceivable that Windows could shut down product activation for XP at some point. But that would only happen after XP reaches its end-of-support term (when all support plans expire). The good news for you: That happens on April 8, 2014, which should be plenty of time to get the kinks worked out of Vista-or switch to a Mac, Linux, or anything else. Bottom line: Your copy of XP will work, totally legally, for at least six more years.

What about this exception for Windows XP Home Edition I hear about? Doesn't apply to you. Microsoft will continue to sell XP to makers of ultra-cheap laptops like the Asus Eee PC until 2010 because they just can't run Vista. But it is not going to make XP Home Edition available as installable software to end-users.

What about after 2014? Well, that's unclear. But it's possible XP will stop being installable at that point. Microsoft's official policy is that these dates have "no affect [sic] on how long you can use a product," which may imply product activation will work forever. However, two things come to mind:

1) Even the most die-hard XP enthusiast will probably be ready to upgrade at that point (as XP will be nearly 15 years old, and your PC will be dead by then, I'm sure).

2) Even if Microsoft shuts off product activation, the hacker community will certainly make dozens of tools to let you continue using XP with abandon. Fret not.

Can I install XP on a PC that has Vista already on it? Yes. You can delete any partition with any OS on it (and reformat it) during the installation of XP. If you're feeling brave, you can even run both OSes at the same time by setting up a dual-boot machine.

Whew! Does that clear everything up? Feel free to continue sending your queries and adding your comments below.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/25252

 

I think Microsoft is making a huge mistake in taking windows XP off the market, they should not do this until they have released a better os, vista is inferior.

 

What this means

no support
upgrade to latest operating system

 

Hiya Guys, herewith some more info on this issue here - http://tech-buzz.net/2008/04/16/windows-xp-sp3-scheduled-release-date-april-29th/
- why would they be reasing service pack 3 if they're cutting all support?

 

Like other products that they put out, they will support the product long after they stopped selling it Which is why service pack 3 is coming out

 

I also agree with an above poster that Vista is just plain awful. It launched poorly and I found it incompatible with a lot of programs, as well as confusing to re-learn how to use Windows. I switched back to XP and plan to remain using it until the OS after Vista is announced.

 

I came to know that they have already started working on a new OS a few months back. Don't know if its true. But they have to take off XP. Cause only then more vista will sell. Eventually making Bill Gates even richer

Well atleast there is no threat to XP for the next 4 years.

 

Does this really mean that there will no longer be support for Windows XP? OMG - I haven't switched to Vista! : (heard all about the awful stories so a big no-no for me!)

 

its time to move on i guess

 

Hiya Guys, herewith some more info on this issue here - http://tech-buzz.net/2008/04/16/windows-xp-sp3-scheduled-release-date-april-29th/
- why would they be reasing service pack 3 if they're cutting all support?

 

I already address this question in the above post.

 

I think they would extend support until early 2009. Too many people are still clamoring for XP.

 

Like the article states, they will continue XP on low-end laptops. But, I really think they might extend the cutoff date past June. The majority of their user base still prefer XP and if they the stop selling it, it can hurt them.

 

That is a marketing strategy. In order to promote Vista, Microsoft has to remove XP from the direct market sales. This will sort of "force" users to switch to Vista directly, as most computer manufacturers have Windows installed.

Right now, with the availability of XP to the market, Vista's sale is hit. Although many people may think like you, but there are a lot of users out there who hadn't have a clue about Linux, nor Windows. All they need is a workable computer that they buy off the store.

So, that's the only way to push sales towards Vista. For Microsoft, it's a win-win situation. Sticking with XP, they are losing grounds on Vista, at the same time, losing ground on XP with users constantly migrating to Linux.

 

Every time that Microsoft tries to impose you its everyday more annoying Operating Systems they do just the same

Even though there are IT communities throughout the web offering both support and unofficial updates for practically all of the previous Windows Versions starting from 3.1 to even Vista tweaks, not to mention support and updates for old MS-Dos lovers

About XP going off the market, I have read that Microsoft will be unable to discontinue this OS as per an agreement they signed to keep XP alive for low-profile computers aimed to people with tight budgets

 

They aren't taking it off the shelf anymore until windows 7 is out in 09/10
fyi guys

 

There is difference between providing support and selling selling copies of XP. They will provide support and updates for it for a while. They just won't sell it

 

I think it's stupid they are taking it off the market... It's going to lose them more money...

 

I went to my computer local store to buy another copy of Windows XP professional as I need it for a older system I have here.

The store said they are not selling it any more??

 

Some stores have chosen to to stock XP but this is not the norm, with a bit of searching you can find plenty of outlets, both online and brick n mortar that will happily sell you a copy.

I'd imagine smaller outlets will not be re-stocking XP as they'll get better wholesale prices for vista unless they have old stock.