266 Days Until Windows XP Goes Off the Market

Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:20PM EDT

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There's been a lot of confusion over whether Windows XP is still available or not. The answer is that it is still available now, if you know who to call, but on January 1, 2008 (give or take a few weeks), it will no longer be available from anyone. Website APC has more details.

Just because Microsoft will continue to sell Windows XP doesn't mean you'll be able to easily get it on a new computer. Dell for example, has shifted most of its customers to Vista already, and will be pushing small-business customers to Vista later this summer. 

If you're determined not to upgrade to Vista, now's the time to start stocking up on Windows XP, which is available online and through computer retailers as shrink-wrapped software. But don't worry too much if you don't manage to grab a copy before the end of the year. The software will be available for the next decade on eBay, and from other sellers online. And actually, the price will probably go down as Vista gobbles up more of the market share for PC OSes.

But if you're looking for a new PC with XP preinstalled, time is running out. One way or another, Microsoft is making sure you're going to end up with a copy of Vista.

More questions about XP's farewell answered here! 

LINK: Windows XP to be phased out by year's end despite customer demand 

Comments on 266 Days Until Windows XP Goes Off the Market

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  • 1 Posted by anitasandysammy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    does that mean if you have windows xp will you have to change to vista i heard there is problems with vista

  • 2 Posted by irene40@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    so the big boy still feels that anone that has or is going to bu a computer in the futre will buy vista come heck or high water. it seems that microsoft wants to control everyone in the world.seems to me that something is afoot!maybe they want everyone to be depend on their program,not! and the foreget they arent the only ones makng computers. macintosh is on to somethig(let the people deceide} next or new computer i get will not be a microft.

  • 3 Posted by cnull on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    antiasandysammy: no, you won't be forced to upgrade, this just means Microsoft will no longer sell XP. again, you should be able to find copies on the aftermarket, but it will be impossible to get it preinstalled on a new computer

  • 4 Posted by dmg122884 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I was under the impression that any copies of XP not activated and registered before the deadline will not be usable, ever.

  • 5 Posted by mlwedell on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    Is it possible to install XP on a system pre-installed with Vista?

  • 6 Posted by crash_davis6 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    there is now way that XP will be unable to work after the 1st of the year. You can stick with XP as long as it works with the programs you use at home. You can still activate the the XP, because Microsoft does not know when it was purchased. You can still use windows 2000. The only way to go "backwards" from Vista, is to format the hard drive, and install the XP on your new PC. I have not heard of any issues doing that. But more and more hardware will require Vista to run, so dont expect XP to get you through 5 more years unles you just use it as a typewriter.

  • 7 Posted by maggsmcg on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    My ISP says its installation CD is not compatible with Vista so if I buy a new PC I will need to swap ISPs too.

  • 9 Posted by zachjf16 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    Im glade that i went with a windows Vista my computer is so fast and it is so thin too but i fee sorry for the people that will have to upgrade to a vista i have my own laptop that is a vista but we have a windows XP in our basement that we might have to upgrade it i think that there is a reason why XP is going off the market?

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