Windows XP No Longer Available After October 22

Dell sent me a note reminding me that they will no longer be able to ship computers with the Windows XP Professional downgrade option after October 22. They said orders must be in by October 1, but I'll bet we get some play with that date, but don't count on October 22 moving. .

We still sell many systems with XP because almost none of our customers with servers have upgraded to Windows 7.

We'll miss Windows XP Pro, now that it works so well! We still have some issues with Windows 7 compatibility  with older peripherals and software. Just last week I tried to connect Josie's new Win 7 laptop to her Xerox Phaser at school and it looks like they're not compatible, even with the new Xerox printer downloads.

Of course, get a new printer and get in the Cloud and you won't have to worry about your operating system or Internet access device, formerly known as computer.

Visit On-Site Technical Solutions for information on how you can move to Google Apps or other Cloud Computing applications. We can also help you with your mobile computing. You should follow us on Twitter  @MHBoys and become a fan on Facebook! Call or text me at 1-949-212-2168.

 

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Uh-Oh, MS Windows XP really IS going to be harder to find...

Every time we build a system on the Dell website they tell us, in bright red lettering, that June 18 is the last day to order a system with Windows XP. Microsft said in multiple statements over the past year or so, "Windows XP will no longer be available for purchase from Microsoft for general retail and OEM partners as of June 30, 2008."

Ah, but the operating system that wouldn't die isns't quite dead yet!

Retailers can continue to sell copies as long as they were purchased before June 30, and manufacturers can continue to sell Windows XP PCs as long under the same circumstances. Expect to see them available for a while, just not from Dell.

Another option for someone purchasing a new PC will be "downgrade rights." The OEM can sell a PC with Vista as the operating system, but downgrade it to Windows XP before shipping it. Dell will apparently only be offering this for a handful of models and only until January, 2009. advertising that yet, but I'm sure we will. These PCs will ship with both operating system and driver disks so the buyers can upgrade to Vista if they're so inclined.

Microsoft will be offering bug and security updates and support for Windows XP until April, 2009 and security updates until April, 2014.

Here is more information directly from Microsoft via their Windows Life-Cycle Policy page and MICROSOFT SUPPORT LIFECYCLE BLOG

Microsoft
Windows XP
Vista
Dell
Windows XP support
Vista downrade