With only a few days of Windows XP retail sales left, Microsoft played down reports that customers were ‘panic-buying’. Pic source: /kallu on Flickr, CC licence.
Microsoft says Windows XP will no longer be available for purchase from Microsoft for general retail and OEM partners as of June 30, 2008.
For system builders that date is January 31, 2009, and for Windows XP Starter (in emerging markets) and Windows XP Home for NetBooks and NetTops (formerly known as ULCPCs), the date is June 30, 2010.
Enterprise customers and purchasers of Windows Vista Ultimate or Windows Vista Business editions can choose to downgrade to Windows XP Professional if they feel the need to get ready for Windows Vista, Microsoft has said.
There is no change to the dates for Windows XP support: customers will receive mainstream support for Windows XP until April 2009, and will be able to receive extended support from Microsoft under its extended support policy until April 2014. For more information about Microsoft’s Support Lifecycle Policy visit: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifepolicy