Microsoft to keep XP going for another two years

Microsoft announced on Thursday that Windows XP Home will have an extended availability for ultra-low-cost PCs, especially laptops marketed in developing markets, for another two years.

Since the ultra-low-cost PCs, also called ULPCs, are not capable of running Microsoft's latest operating system Windows Vista, the company decided to sustain XP, according to Michael Dix, General Manager of Windows Client Product Management.

It's a category that covers machines with slower processors, smaller screens, and in many cases flash memory for storage, rather than a traditional hard drive. Insubstantial hardware of ULPCs demands a system that can work on lesser resources.

“Customers and partners have made it clear to us that Windows is the preferred operating system for ULCPC buyers, just as it is for mainstream PC users,” said Dix. “While Windows Vista provides many benefits, including an easier and more secure user experience, Windows XP Home provides an effective solution on these devices from a performance and cost perspective.”

Discontinuation of Windows XP might result in Microsoft losing PC makers to Linux, a notion, which might have prompted the extension.

Big-name computer makers are scheduled to terminate the sale of Windows XP for all other uses by the end of June. Mainstream technical support will continue to be available for Windows XP through April 2009, and more limited support will continue through April 2014.

Dix said that Microsoft has received confirmation from partners that they are prepared to switch, and so it plans to discontinue Windows XP at the end of June for mainstream PCs.

Devices which will run the XP Home operating system include the Asus Eee PC, Intel Classmate PC, and the OLPC.