With concern over the end of the road for Windows XP reaches feverish levels, Microsoft appears to be altering yet again its timeline for killing off the popular operating system, which would ultimately force people into upgrading to Vista.

The latest news comes from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, reacting to criticism at a recent news conference, who said "XP will hit an end-of-life. We have announced one. If customer feedback varies, we can always wake up smarter, but right now, we have a plan for end-of-life for new XP shipments."

As now the June 30 deadline stands, but PC makers may be encouraging Microsoft to get "smarter" by taking the rare step of openly combating Microsoft's direction that vendors move from XP to Vista. HP, Dell, and Lenovo have all said they will downgrade operating systems on new machines from Vista to XP at customer request and will continue to do so until 2009 (specific ending dates vary).

Note that no one's breaking the law here. Legally, anyone with a volume license or an OEM license for Vista can downgrade to XP without having to pay extra for the OS. The only exception is for those who purchased "full packaged product (FPP)" editions, which do not include downgrade rights. Whether XP drivers are available is another issue.

If asked, many companies will include an XP disc with your order, but Dell is installing XP at the factory as well. Cnet also offers some additional helpful advice on obtaining XP if you're buying a Vista machine.

My best advice is that if you're buying a new machine and want XP, get on the phone instead of using the company's website to configure the product. Salespeople can make options available, like downgrades, that you won't get online.

Of course, all of this could be moot in the next month or so if Microsoft bows to pressure from users to continue to sell XP. Stay tuned to see if Microsoft has a change of heart before the end of June.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/91219

"BILL GATES: Throughout the history of the PC there's always been skepticism about the new activities, and what things would take off, and it's been amazing that, in fact, in every case, as the hardware got better and the software got better, that came together. I think there is an understanding of how the magic of the chip level, and the software level has been key to that. I think something that people miss is that the Windows ecosystem has always been based on a large number of partnerships, that by having standards, by working together on new things, we're able to invest together in the market, and grow that market.

The market here in Japan is a great example where these kind of partnerships have made a big difference. In terms of the foundation we're building on, I thought I'd give you an update that 140 million PCs have been shipped with Vista, so that within a year of its launch is actually the fastest we've ever had, in terms of a new version."

Man! It must be nice being M$: Even when you lose - you are still strategically winning!

Japan — Windows Digital Lifestyle Consortium — Tokyo, May 7, 2008

Just because Microsoft stops supporting an OS, doesn't mean it's dead. I'll probably be using XP for many years to come without any help from M$. :-)

I still use Windows 98SE on my old pc. Still kicken does everything i need it to do. :)

"Just because Microsoft stops supporting an OS, doesn't mean it's dead."

... And this site is a testament to that! As it continues to generate daily -- albeit trickling -- traffic to the DOS; 3.1 & 95 forums. Although, the kicker with a concrete (EOL) End-of-life calendar is: Third party PC hardware & software vendors usually respond by gearing their moves in lockstep rhythm with Redmond.

After 2012, it won't matter anymore anyway...lol

http://www.survive2012.com/

"And that's the fishing line, because Sharkboy said so!"

Hmmm, I bet MS is behind the end of days. The next Windows OS code named Blackcomb is suppose to be out in 2012, but dig deeper and decode the hidden word in Blackcomb and you get Bomb! :)

If MS can't rule the world by then they will blow it up. :)

So you better keep buying Vista and praising MS if you know what's good for you and humanity.

"The next Windows OS code named Blackcomb is suppose to be out in 2012"

right in time for the Mayan Doomsday - coincidence or conspiracy? :)