Windows XP:the future
The future of Windows XP. Last year you told us you weren't quite ready to say goodbye to Windows XP. We listened. That's why we delayed our plan to stop selling it until June 30, 2008.
We love that you love Windows XP. We've seen it on our website, in e-mails, and through independent online petition drives. Our engineers work hard to build innovative software that empowers our customers. It's nice when you tell us we've made a difference.
But our commitment to innovation sometimes means making tough choices. This is one of them.
After careful consultation with our customers and industry partners, we've decided to proceed with our plan to phase out Windows XP in June. It'll be a long goodbye. We plan to provide support for Windows XP until 2014.
We know there have been lots of questions—and some confusion—about our plans. Some key things you should know:
Did you know?
Windows Vista now supports 77,000 printers, cameras, speakers and other devices.
Over 2,700 software programs are now certified to work on Windows Vista, including 98 of the top 100 consumer applications.
62% of small business said Windows Vista saves them time, and 70% said that it makes them more productive, according to an independent survey.
More than 140 million copies of Windows Vista have already sold, making it the fastest selling operating system in Microsoft history.
71% of Windows Vista customers liked it better than their last operating system.
People who are familiar with Windows Vista are two to three times more likely to have a favorable impression.
Top questions we hear about Windows XP
Why do you have to stop selling Windows XP?
Microsoft was founded on a commitment to innovate and to provide our customers with the best software. That's part of our corporate DNA, and occasionally it means tough decisions.
We don't make them lightly.
The lifespan of every Microsoft product is carefully mapped from launch to retirement. Windows XP is no exception. We do this to ensure you always get the most out of your PC experience. (Read about Windows lifecycle policy.)
We've spent more than a year consulting with our customers and industry partners to ensure that we're doing the right thing. We understand that not everyone may agree with our decision—just as not everyone was happy to see Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME retire (OK, perhaps not ME).
But we think the time is right.
We also want to underscore that we're not, as some people have asserted, "pulling the plug" on our popular operating system. Let us be clear: Although Windows XP won't be sold in stores, Microsoft and its partners will continue to offer technical support for Windows XP for months and years to come. In fact, Microsoft plans to support Windows XP until 2014.
We're proud of Windows XP, a product that has empowered and entertained hundreds of millions of people in the last eight years. But technology doesn't stand still. And neither can we.
What'll happen to Windows XP after June 30? I'm confused.
In industry speak, this is called "end-of-sales." On June 30, Microsoft will stop distributing Windows XP as a stand-alone product that you can buy shrink-wrapped in the store. We'll also stop sending it to Dell, HP, Lenovo and all the other major PC manufacturers to sell on their PCs.
That said, Windows XP isn't going to disappear overnight.
You may still see copies of the software—or computers pre-loaded with it—for months, as stores and PC makers work through their inventory. Also, smaller local PC makers—known in the industry as "system builders"—can continue to sell PCs with Windows XP until January 2009.
Finally, Microsoft recently announced that computers with limited hardware capabilities—devices sometimes called Netbooks or ultra-low cost PCs (ULCPC)—can carry Windows XP Home until June 2010. (Read about the ULCPC program on Microsoft Presspass.)
I've heard I can get Windows XP for my small business past the June 30th deadline through something called "downgrade rights." What are those exactly?
If your business relies on Windows XP, there's still a way to get it.
When you buy Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate, you're automatically entitled to move back to Windows XP Professional via what we call "downgrade rights."
We've been working closely with our industry partners to develop new programs for small business customers interested in exercising these rights.
If you're interested in learning more about downgrade rights, contact your favorite PC maker.
My business relies on Windows XP. What'll happen after June 30 if I have technical problems?
We understand some of our customers aren't ready to upgrade their PCs to Windows Vista.
Although Windows XP will disappear from stores, we'll continue to offer Extended Support for the operating system for six more years, until April 2014.
Your PC maker can also provide technical support for your PC. Please contact them for more information.
For more details, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
I've heard about two types of Windows XP support—"mainstream" and "extended." What's the difference?
Mainstream support delivers complimentary as well as paid support, free security updates and bug fixes to all Windows customers who purchase a retail copy of Windows XP (i.e. a shrink-wrapped, not pre-installed, copy). Mainstream support for Windows XP will continue through April 2009.
Extended support delivers free security updates to all Windows customers. Customers can also pay for support on a per-incident basis. Extended support for Windows XP will continue until April 2014. New bug fixes require the Extended Hotfix Support program.
Read the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ.
