XP available for 12 months after Windows 7 launch

by Stevie Smith - Apr 30 2009, 17:00

Another Netbook-fuelled reprieve for XP. Image: Microsoft.

After fighting so hard to sound the death knell for its Windows XP operating system while pushing the apparent value of Windows Vista, software maker Microsoft Corp. has now said trusty old XP will remain available to vendors for a full year beyond the launch of Windows 7.

While said availability will only apply to manufacturers of ultra mobile Netbook computer systems, it is somewhat refreshing to see Microsoft actually breaking with the norm and actively recognising the continuing worth of its stalwart XP platform.

Not that The Tech Herald is in any way cynical, but we have to admit we’ve paused and pondered as to whether Microsoft’s decision to extend XP’s lifecycle has anything to do with the massive market growth attributed to Netbook devices over the last 12 months. Surely not.

The announcement to prolong XP availability was made by Mike Nash, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Windows product management group, during a conference call with media representatives.

“OEMs that are using Windows XP on netbooks will have the ability to install Windows XP for one year – 12 months – after Windows 7 general availability,” outlined Nash during the call.

According to figures released by research specialist NPD for the period between November 2008 and January 2009, Microsoft XP was the operating system of choice on over 90 percent of all shipped Netbooks.

Dang, evidently our cynical stance was perhaps justified.

The Windows 7 operating system, which is built on foundations laid by Windows Vista, is due to officially launch in 2010.

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