Windows XP going off market in June: What it means
By icyorchid
@icyorchid (2564)
United States
April 17, 2008 2:43pm CST
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.
Read More:http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/25252
I know people who had nothing but problems when Vista came out! I sure hope they have removed all the bugs and ALL software now works with it instead of against it!
4 people like this
21 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
17 Apr 08
This is the point that most people tend to overlook. Taking a product off the market does not make that product unavailable, and of course there are millions of people with copies of older Windows operating systems.
I still have a copy of DOS 6.22, along with Windows 3.11 and each operating system onwards.
These operating systems still work as well today as they did when they were first introduced, and whether Microsoft maintains them or not is quite irrelevant.
2 people like this
@captainoats (45)
• Northern Mariana Islands
18 Apr 08
All this means is that a new line has come in, Vista.. And since it had released an Service Pack windows xp production must be put to a stop while they focus more on perfecting the new OS.
Going off market however does not mean that you would not find them in stores when June comes. All remaining stocks are still going to be sold its just that no more new productions are being made.
And yes like what other people have said, searching online is the answer. You could find and download pretty much everything off of the internet.
If you are worried so much, secure a copy now or before they run out.
1 person likes this
@littleowl (7157)
•
18 Apr 08
hi icy-i am on windows XP and find it very good when getting my computer all i could find was windows vista IT was hard to get XP-am glad i got it in time and just hope that windows aren't like tv pogrammes and just cut you off from their site!blessings your friend littleowl
1 person likes this
@bournecaindelta (2477)
• India
18 Apr 08
lol.. too good for me.. Doesnt affect os I already switched to Mac three months ago.. SO no worries here.. anyways I got a copy of my previous Xp installation.. and I think Microsoft has gone mad.. Always knew that Bill was cranky the way he looked.. They are already ready to release another OS called Windows 7.. Dunno what they are playing at by closing down sales of Xp and introducing another OS, maybe they added visual effects of Vista to Xp and are selling it as 7
. Only time will tell..
bourne
. Only time will tell..
bourne
@irdsm1 (288)
• United States
17 Apr 08
I have had a wonderful experience with VISTA. I have it on my current computer. It takes a little getting used to and a slightly high end computer but it isn't bad at all once you get a hang of it and it has played most software quite well, even a few old games. For some reason my computer doesn't have an installed sound card, but some software acts like a sound card and it still plays sounds quite well...But I think that is because I just bought it and its a new feature, not a VISTA thing.
Dan
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
17 Apr 08
Actually they will be selling copies of XP, just not all versions of XP. XP will also be available on low end computers through 2010.
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
6 Sep 08
That is what I have been hearing also. i think I still have a copy of my Windows XP though. I sure hope I do in case something happens. I like using XP and do not want to try out the Vista.
@mi2ok02 (406)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I really think that Microsoft would be doing everyone, including the company, a disservice to eliminate XP from the market. I think XP has been the best ever and should be continued as a CHOICE of operating system for even new computer buys. It would be good for customers and the company. Maybe I should write them about it? Maybe we all should!
@BlackSword (16)
• China
18 Apr 08
window xp would not go off the market ~
reason:
1. windows vista is not mature now! it can not take the place of XP
2. windows xp hold most of the market! most people only konw XP now .
3. almost people used to using XP~~~it cost them a lot of time to learn a new computer system ,because they only use basic function daily.
4. most of the software are develeped according to XP!
5. window vista need high disposition ,people won to buy a new computer just for vista !
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
18 Apr 08
Its really bad news,because xp works with medium and high configurations,but vista needs high configuration.The graphics are good in vista.also some applications that work in xp won't work on vista
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
18 Apr 08
Hey, I like windows xp... that's not fair 
I might just wait till they stop making it then grab a full copy when the price has dropped... we already have one full copy but I think I could do with another one just in case.
I might just wait till they stop making it then grab a full copy when the price has dropped... we already have one full copy but I think I could do with another one just in case.
@jesbellaine (4139)
• Philippines
18 Apr 08
I hope not because XP is a good operating system. Vista is just new and there are some bugs on it especially not all applications and hardwares have support for WINDOWS VISTA already. Examples are the software and drivers that are already compatible and working fine with xp... If they will phase out the XPt hen a lot of peeps will get pissed off like me! Grrrr!
@Olah92 (8)
• United States
6 Sep 08
There is a small known loohole which allows you to still purchase windows xp on newegg. go look it up.
@MGjhaud (23240)
• Philippines
18 Apr 08
I've also heard of this issue or news sometime before and just read a tech blog few days ago. According to the blog I've read, XP and Vista will be replaced by Windows 7. It's going to be the successor. Well that's not so bad because if they're taking XP out of the market, for sure there will be good thing coming such as Windows 7. We'll wait and see for it.
@itsmepinky (1300)
• India
18 Apr 08
I don't think they will remove xp from the market coz i think that is the best OS i have ever come across. Vista has its own disadvantages. Even if they remove xp there are lot of people selling pirated copies of that OS.
~pinks~
@crackhead (1826)
• India
18 Apr 08
I suppose that they will quit giving XP licences when you buy a laptop or branded personal computer. 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.
So by that you can decide what it is. anyways there is nothing that we lose as long as the pirated copies exist.
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
18 Apr 08
Thanks for sharing this with us icy. I have windows XP and I had heard terrible stories about vista too. Well I'm hanging on to my computer that's for sure!
@darrenaniit (138)
• India
18 Apr 08
i think ms want the ppl to buy the vista.....asd they didnt wanted to go for vista wen xp ewas ther....many ppl even after upgrading to vista even shifted back to xp
