Microsoft backtracks, extends XP availability to 2011

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XP lives on

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• Microsoft moving XP into reduced-support phase on Tuesday
• Preston Gralla: XP - The OS that refuses to die
• How to make Windows XP last for the next seven years
• Leaked HP memo details XP reprieve until 2010, report says
• Gralla: Why XP owners won't love Windows 7
• Related: Windows 7 full coverage

Windows Knowledge Center

Silver said his problem is with the possible "out" that Microsoft gave itself. "The new policy is 18 months or SP1 delivery, whichever is sooner," he said. "It means that if SP1 shows up in six or eight months, the date suddenly moves in."

Many software vendors may not release Windows 7-specific versions or officially support the new operating system for a year or longer after Microsoft rolls out the OS this October, Silver added. Microsoft's movable deadline for the end of downgrades could put some enterprises in an awkward spot.

"Organizations waiting on a critical vendor to support their product under Windows 7 may still have a problem," he said.

A better solution would be a hard deadline, Silver said. "The policy should be 18 months or SP1, whichever is later, or just have a reasonable date for the end of the downgrade right, like Dec. 31, 2010," he said.

Assuming that Microsoft holds off delivering Windows 7 SP1, it's possible that OEMs could be selling XP-equipped PCs as late as April 2011.

That's unlikely, however, as Microsoft typically rolls out the first service pack for a new OS much sooner. It released Vista SP1 to most users in March 2008, less than 14 months after Vista's retail availability. Windows XP SP1 appeared even sooner, in September 2002, a little more than 10 months after XP's launch. Windows 2000 SP1, meanwhile, was released just six months after that OS shipped.

Microsoft also slipped in a reminder about XP's limited lifespan in its e-mailed announcement. "Windows XP is currently in the extended support phase and Microsoft encourages customers to migrate to either Windows Vista or Windows 7 as soon as possible," the spokeswoman said yesterday.

As per its lifecycle policy, Microsoft will officially retire Windows XP, halting all patch development, including security updates, in April 2014.

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