Microsoft grants Windows XP yet another reprieve

[KilJaden]

Microsoft has extended the availability of Windows XP on new PCs by six months, the company confirmed today.

Computer makers that "downgrade" machines from Windows Vista Business or Vista Ultimate to Windows XP Professional will be able to obtain media for the latter through the end of July 2009, a Microsoft spokeswoman said Friday.

The new date is a change in policy. Previously, Microsoft had planned to halt XP Professional media shipments to major computer makers after Jan. 31, 2009.

"As more customers make the move to Windows Vista, we want to make sure that they are making that transition with confidence and that it is as smooth as possible. Providing downgrade media for a few more months is part of that commitment," the spokeswoman said in an e-mail.

The Jan. 31 date is also the last day when smaller companies, dubbed "system builders," will be allowed to purchase Windows XP licenses to install on the machines they assemble. The system-builder deadline has not changed, the spokeswoman added. It remains Jan. 31.

To confuse matters, some PC makers have long claimed that they would provide XP downgrades on new computers past the Jan. 31 deadline. Last June, for example, Hewlett-Packard Co. talked of a July 2009 cutoff. "HP...will continue to offer this option on its business systems through at least July 30, 2009," a company spokesman said almost four months ago.

The Microsoft spokeswoman clarified the situation. "The [downgrade] rights don't go away," she said via instant messaging in response to follow-up questions. "It's all about having the media on hand. It's always been OK to use what you've got."

Microsoft sent Windows XP into semiretirement last June when it stopped selling the aged operating system at retail, withdrew Windows XP Home from use on new PCs and allowed XP Professional to be installed as a Vista downgrade.

The latter tactic takes advantage of Vista's end-user licensing agreement, which allows users -- and in their stead, computer makers -- to install Windows XP Professional while also providing media for Vista for a possible upgrade later. More than a third of all new PCs are being downgraded to Windows XP, according to data from a Florida company that operates a community-based performance testing network.

It's also possible that XP will be widely available long after July 31, 2009. "Downgrade rights do not expire," Microsoft's spokeswoman said Friday.

The longer availability puts Microsoft in an unusual position; the new time line will make it possible for users to purchase XP-powered PCs through next July, just months before Microsoft plans to roll out Windows 7, the successor to Vista.

Original Article

[Donaldo]

Alright . . . . . great - maybe, this is the Microsoft way of confirming what everybody knew all the time (Vista sucks.)

[JessicaLeigh]

Guys, hold on there a minute, please...

I know it's extremely easy to slam Microsoft for force-feeding Vista to us while taking the XP Professional rattle out of our hands prematurely, but truthfully; one size does not necessarily fit all. I've been happily using Vista Ultimate on all five of my home PCs ever since it's inception, and I've had no issues with it at all, this entire time.

While I understand Microsoft's greedy stance as a huge monopolizing corporation to want to make back their money on this transient OS until they've recouped their losses and are ready to unleash Windows 7 on us, I have absolutely no problems enjoying Vista in the interim. I work for one of the largest PC manufacturers in the world, and I speak to myriads of IT techs every day. I completely understand their upset at Microsoft for crippling their productivity and forcing their developers and QA teams into scrambling to recode their homegrown applications to work properly under XP SP2 and/or SP3; let alone doing so to get them to run under an entirely different [Vista] platform.

I think it's safe to say that any legitimate business that rely on computers for their financial data processing will NEVER even attempt their hand at Vista, and want to stay right where they're at, with XP until the day that Windows 7 proves itself as our next legitimate business OS.

-- Jessica

[Donaldo]

Hello Jessica!!!!!

A very warm welcome to you here at nsane forums.

It's a lovely post and I agree to every little bit that you express here.

I possess 2 identically endowed laptops - one personal (WinXP Professional) and the other granted by my employers for official use albeit with Vista Ultimate. I found Vista v. good but the problem is XP is not good at all - it is excellent.

Moral of the story is that in these pages you & me are quite happy with Vista which as an example is an exception - unfortunately, not the rule (you'll find most of the guys out here pissed off because Vista has not been as kind to them.)

Vista was leaving me happy but not satisfied & content - hence, I kissed it goodbye and had XP installed in it's place. Like me I'm sure that you're most happy with Vista - I'm saying to you "Why be merely happy - we guys out here would like to see you delighted, instead."

[bearoninternet]

I've been happily using Vista Ultimate on all five of my home PCs ever since it's inception, and I've had no issues with it at all, this entire time.

-- Jessica

Hello sweetheart!!!!!

A very warm welcome to you here at nsane forums - we guys take this opportunity to greet you with outstretched arms & tight hugs.

It's a lovely post and I agree to every little bit that you express here.

I possess 2 identically endowed laptops - one personal (WinXP Professional) and the other granted by my employers for official use albeit with Vista Ultimate. I found Vista v. good but the problem is XP is not good at all - it is excellent.

Moral of the story is that in these pages you & me are quite happy with Vista which as an example is an exception - unfortunately, not the rule (you'll find most of the guys out here pissed off because Vista has not been as kind to them.)

Vista was leaving me happy but not satisfied & content - hence, I kissed it goodbye and had XP installed in it's place. Like me I'm sure that you're most happy with Vista - I'm saying to you "Honey, why be merely happy - we guys out here would like to see you delighted, instead."

Before signing off, got to tell ya 2 facts:-

1) You look lovely - if that's really you in your avatar (some male peeps here, prefer to store pictures of beautiful chics in their avatars - must be some kind of fetish to fire up their libido, perhaps)

2) Believe me Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . really sucks!!!!

Love is in the air... :lol:

To Jessica :dance2:

About Vista: :lol:

[JessicaLeigh]

Okay, guys; fine... so you are hopelessly in love with Windows XP. I get it. "To each, their own" was all I was saying. Like I said, most of the world concurs with you, but for me personally; I am DELIGHTED with Vista Ultimate. It can only get better with time, as was the case with XP when SP1,2 and 3 were released to strengthen its core processes.

Yep, that is my real picture; a very happily married mother of four, and I'd bet most (if not, all) you gents here are young enough to be my kids.

Don't get all googly-eyed; I am not looking for a hookup AT ALL. Besides, I can be a real bitch when I feel the need to be, so don't piss me off. :lol:

With that said, thanks for making me feel welcome. :dance2:

-- Jessica

[shought]

Yep, that is my real picture; a very happily married mother of four, and I'd bet most (if not, all) you gents here are young enough to be my kids.

All, I don't think so, but most? Probably :dance2:

I can't help but wonder, how does a very happily married mother of four come across a site like nsane...? I mean it's not like we see them all the time here, quite the contrary actually.

And last but not least, welcome to the forums! :lol: Seems a bit out of order though, since you joined the 26th of December 2006 :lol: You've been around here longer than I have, at least on the forums, that is.

[JessicaLeigh]

LOL! OMGosh, I think I was window-shopping on the 'net for a good antivirus program at the time, and just happened to stumble upon this site. I giggle every now and again when I read the notes left by the peeps here, and today I decided to add my two cents in, as well. The kids are at my ex's this weekend, so I'm able to just be lazy today. Trust me when I say that I deserve to! :dance2:

[bearoninternet]

And last but not least, welcome to the forums! :dance2: Seems a bit out of order though, since you joined the 26th of December 2006 :lol: You've been around here longer than I have, at least on the forums, that is.

Thank god i registered two days earlier :lol:

Yep, that is my real picture; a very happily married mother of four, and I'd bet most (if not, all) you gents here are young enough to be my kids.

And I bet you could have been the mother of my kids, but you are not. :P

It can only get better with time, as was the case with XP when SP1,2 and 3 were released to strengthen its core processes.

I have to agree with you; it can only get better.

Not worse. :lmao:

[dMog]

Guys...if you spoke to her in that manner in the real world in your places of work you might have a lawsuit on your hands for harassment.... :dance2:

EDIT: but she really is cute! :lol:

[JessicaLeigh]

Thank you, dMog!

[dMog]

welcome...us Canuks know how to treat people

[MiZaRiZ]

Not going to comment on the other stuff :lol:

But i am also a happy Vista user. I think that XP are great, and 3 of my PCs are running it. But the other 2 are running vista, and they are happy about it.

You can always see if a PC is happy, with the OS... Less Blue screens :lol:

Never had a problem with Vista, never a crash, or BSOD, driver error, etc.

Yeah my 3dmarks score have gone down by 4%, but then again, i am running DX10 :dance2: not that any game are doing it, in true version. (that i know of)

But i got a lot of tools, that i use in the everyday use of my OS.

If you guys are running XP64 then you will notice that some programs are not working, but they are working in Vista64, also one of the reason i made the transition.

Maybe there are some spelling errors, sorry, i am drunk :P

And Welcome JessicaLeigh to the active side of the board, not that i am a part of it, but i am reading it ^^

Miz

[Donaldo]

Guys...if you spoke to her in that manner in the real world in your places of work you might have a lawsuit on your hands for harassment.... :dance2:

EDIT: but she really is cute! :P

My side of the world, one is not landed a lawsuit for complimenting a lady.

Jessica,

:lol: My welcome - is made in all sincerity. :lol:

[JessicaLeigh]

Hmmm, seems as though you guys are taking me far too literally. This will be my last statement here, since it seems as though we are perpetuating this thread which has clearly drifted far off topic. I appreciate the compliments, really. I just get a tad weirded-out when they get stretched out of context. I am sure you are all handsome gentleman, and it seems a shame for many of you to hide behind animated gifs and scantily clad images of women (either cartoons or otherwise) when you should present yourselves as you truly are. Just a thought... my LAST. ;)

[shought]

Well, I guess I can go ahead and close this thread then :P

But let's get back on topic, if not KilJaden might just kick our buts! :fear:

My opinion on all of this: I'm sticking with XP and will never make the step to Vista, I'll just wait for Windows 7 and start thinking about changing then ;) After a proper, you know what has been released of course ;) It's funny to see that even Microsoft kind of admits that Vista just wasn't right(not saying it sucks, but it wasn't what people expected), I hope they really step through on that idea of theirs to make Windows 7 a modular OS(Marik once posted about this) just select what you want at install and never see a glitch of the stuff you don't need.

ps no animated GIFs or scantily clad images of women here :dance2: (Whatever scantily clad means... :P)

[Donaldo]

Hey Jessica!!!!

It's all in jest - a little bit of humor never hurt anyone (and should not.) We look forward to your posts - you're really good at it.

Just a little question - are you using Vista Ultimate with SP-1 or without?

[JessicaLeigh]

Donaldo,

I am always using the most recent version of WVU. As I mentioned above, the OS can only get better (more stable); not that I've ever encountered any problems with it while pre-SP1, but hey; my thought is they wouldn't have released a service pack if [Microsoft] hadn't felt a need to do so. See, I'm not a gamer, so I'm not aware of all the extenuating issues surrounding video driver blue screens and Vista melt-downs therein.

I used to feel the same way about Windows Millennium Edition as the majority of you here feel about Vista. My job requires me to work closely with Microsoft developers, and I do have an idea of how MS views each OS they've released. It's been said that, after releasing Windows ME, they regretted it and vowed they would never present an OS that was so poorly constructed. It had been the result of a culmination of "hindsight technology" that they had left over from their old fat32 file system OS; Win98SE. After the miserable results trickled in from WinME, it only fueled their persistence for an OS that would prove itself on all levels as a stable OS in both personal and business retail arenas.

[Donaldo]

Jessica,

Am not a gamer myself and personally have never had any issues with Vista apart from the slowdowns. I, shought & kotaxor love the Vista GUI so much that we customized our OS to look like Vista whereas we're use WinXP for computing purposes.

All said, it's very apparent that you, yourself seem to be much more techno savvy than the average Jane. It's a honour for us to have you amongst us at nsane - we look forward to learning a lot from you.

Thanks for staying back.

[KilJaden]

Well, I guess I can go ahead and close this thread then ;)

But let's get back on topic, if not KilJaden might just kick our buts! ;)

I guess you guys realize that you went off topic to much , so stick to it or Topic Closed.

[KilJaden]

I used to feel the same way about Windows Millennium Edition as the majority of you here feel about Vista. My job requires me to work closely with Microsoft developers, and I do have an idea of how MS views each OS they've released. It's been said that, after releasing Windows ME, they regretted it and vowed they would never present an OS that was so poorly constructed. It had been the result of a culmination of "hindsight technology" that they had left over from their old fat32 file system OS; Win98SE. After the miserable results trickled in from WinME, it only fueled their persistence for an OS that would prove itself on all levels as a stable OS in both personal and business retail arenas.

The same way i felt about Windows Me. Personally i never had any issues with ME but every one said it was "..." yet i never had any major issues. As for Vista i'm not going to say it's good or bad , but this doesn't mean that the anti-Vista fan's trash it to much hence some features many of you like or use : take for instance Vista's GUI whom many of you come to like .

[irefay]

Vista is becoming a better OS... but it was just a disappointing release. I think everyone just expected a lot more given the time M$ had.

[dMog]

i have a notebook running XP but only because it is an older model Toshiba with not enough ram to run Vista. My desktop has both, XP and Vista and i prefer Vista... almost from the day i installed it.( but i did shut off that damned annoying UAC crap,,,what the hell was Microsoft thinking with that)...the only people i have come across that have any legit complaints against Vista are those who try to run it on a system that is not capable of doing it. Try running Apples newest OS on very old mac...it just cannot be done. Add to the fact that some big computer vendors were putting vista on systems that could not cope with resources needed to run properly and there you have some of the reasons people thought vista was a troubled peice of software.

[voodoohippie]

Here is my experience with Vista: When I bought an HP DV 6000 laptop on around Oct of last yr I experienced horrible problems with Vista Premium before Sp1. Also might I add that the eye candy is the main reason why Vista is slow (especially if your visually impaired and require the use of Zoomtext, MAGic, or any other screen magnification software). The first thing i did was to get XP luner theme back on my Vista machine using VistaGlazz a program that hacks the Windows Vista DLL's to make Vista accept 3rd party themes (something Microsoft didn't want vista to accept). After I got the Windows XP (hacked GUI) on my Vista machine all went a lot better for I no longer have some of the resource hogging fade ins and outs. Vista (with Windows XP theme patch) works great and will allow your Vista to function more like XP. Plus Turn off UAC, Turn off Aereo affects for the mouse, Put the control panel and start menu in classic mode and you'll have a more XP like experience with Vista and yet if you get a good AV program like ClamWin or Avira (but be careful Avira does show false positives) something you don't want if your use patches for some programs. More game makers are patching their games to work with Vista, but for those who use p2p, you can't get Peer Guardian to work with Vista. I use the patched and resurrected WinMX and never a fake. Plus Shareza (With G1 Turned OFF) has no fakes either. As for visually Impaired screen magnifier software I use Izoom when I use Utorrent because Utorrent somehow won't work with Zoomtext well. I've had Zoomtext crashes when i use Utorrent and had to reboot my computer by pressing the power button till I hear the cling that Vista does when a shut down occurs and have to restart. Izoom doesn't seem to have those problems, but does lack some of the features of Zoomtext. My old Alienware (before it got hit by lightning) had a few problems with Zoomtext as well, but not quite as many. I miss my Alienware and I was forced (for financial reasons) to get a Dell Vostro 200 which I got for $500 which includes the monitor. It has 2 GB Ram, Intel Pentium Dual CPU @ 1.8 GHZ, A DvD burner (which works well with DvD Fab, and believe it or not it came with a built in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound card on the board. The Graphics card is intagrated Intel G33 Chipset (I know this isn't that good for games). My HDD has 160 GB which I'll get an external 768 BG soon since I love music and those 700 MB files and whole DvD's I get from the Graboid service. So for $500 I didn't do so bad considering 5 yrs ago I paid over 1K for a system with almost the same specs except that the Graphics card was an ATI and had 128 MB's of memory and was a PCI graphics card. It ran slow at times as well when I tried to use Zoomtext with say yahoo messenger and tried to use voice chat and move the mouse. When doing so caused the sound to skip (something I also experience with vista when I use Media Monkey and Zoomtext together. I don't experience that with Izoom running with music apps and or chat clients. My Old Alienware clone had an Asus motherboard, 2 GB RAM, Athalon 4800 Dual Core, 80 GB SATA OS drive and 300 GB internal IEEE drive for Movies and Music. Plus I had an Nvidia 7900 graphics card (It rocked on Warcraft) That machine wouldn't skip as much and I know I was long winded but I want to explain why Vista may not work for some. Also my advice is Stay with Windows Vista Basic. All programs I use work fine in Windows Vista Basic and besides its not as bloated as say premium and ultimate. Hope this story helps you forced Vista Users and helps in an actual experience between 2 OS's.

[dMog]

like i said...the boneheads that make computers were initially putting Vista ultimate onto computers that had no damn capacity to be running ultimate... if you complain properly and long enough to them they will do something to make you happy...eventually... ;)