XP Reprieve, Downgrade May Continue After Win7 392
CWmike writes "Gregg Keizer reports that Microsoft acknowledged today it has 'broadened the options' for PC makers to continue offering Windows XP as a downgrade from Vista — and potentially even Windows 7. However, the company would not confirm specific reports that HP has been given the green light to sell new PCs with Windows XP Pro pre-installed through the end of April 2010. 'Windows XP went into semi-retirement in June 2008, when Microsoft stopped selling it at retail and withdrew Windows XP Home from use on all but netbooks, though it allowed XP Professional to be installed as a Vista downgrade. Since then, Microsoft has extended the final date it will sell XP Professional install media to large computer makers and smaller systems builders to July 31, 2009, and May 30, 2009, respectively. Today, Microsoft denied that it had extended the life span of Windows XP, and intimated that those rights were built into the newer operating system — in this case, Vista — and did not expire at some arbitrary date.'"
Update: 04/07 14:36 GMT by T : nandemoari adds "Not only will users be able to keep Windows Vista, but they'll be able to step back in time two generations, all the way to XP. "We will offer downgrade rights from Windows 7 to Windows XP in the same way we did with Windows Vista," a Microsoft rep said.
Insiders speculate that the right to use this time machine might be reserved for those purchasing licenses for only two versions of Windows 7 — Ultimate and Professional. However, that's not yet been confirmed."
XP support (Score:5, Funny)
Does this mean extended support will still end in 2014?
What a Strange Idea (Score:5, Funny)
The future (Score:5, Funny)
"Entity X27. Your navigational hipostaticer is ready."
"I calmly express great joy"
"Do you want us to install Conscious Neurolinker MarkIII? Or Windows XP."
"Windows XP"
"Ok... Oh, wait. Your hipostaticer doesn't allow it sorry."
"Are you *expletive* making a joke on my behalf? *expletive* you! You *expletive* slow person."
Re:Putting MS in check. (Score:3, Funny)
Totally true, but you can't buy a new '68 Covrette C3 StingRay from the GM Factory.
But you can get that horrible PT Cruiser. And my 1994 Townace van is basically a 1970 Corona.
Re:XP support (Score:5, Funny)
Who cares. By then XP will be a crusty old piece of shit. (More so!)
You mean a crusty old piece of shit that's still better than their current offerings.
Re:Putting MS in check. (Score:2, Funny)
If you pick just the right shade of hot pink, it actually looks a tiny bit like the hot-rod they were aiming for, instead of a hearse with go-faster stripes.
Re:Pretty much any HP printer (Score:2, Funny)
There's an easy solution for that:
1) Open window
2) Pick up HP Printer
3) Throw printer through window
4) Buy a new, compatible printer, from a company who doesn't overcharge so much for ink.
the savings on ink costs will pay for it in short order, and step 1 means you don't need to factor in glazing costs, either. That's how nice I am.
Re:If Windows 7 is as fast as they claim (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I'm an XP lover but how about we make a deal,.. (Score:5, Funny)
because there are too many pointers.
I know, let's have some short pointers so we can save memory, but let's also have long pointers so we can address all the memory.
Let's call them "near" and "far" pointers. Let's make the programmer declare them explicitly. I think it will provide for a massive productivity boost.
Oh, and let's add memory segments too ;-)
Re:Just use the latest Firefox, and you'll be fine (Score:3, Funny)
Run limited user accounts and use the latest version of Firefox available in 2015, and that should be sufficiently secure.
My guess is that even with a completely open, unsecured, Administrator-using WinXP you'll be secure in 2015. Take any current threat and try to run it against WinNT, 9 out of 10 won't even run.
Re:If Windows 7 is as fast as they claim (Score:4, Funny)
(I was banned for 20 days on a VERY stupid and pedantic Aussie forum for arguing the same thing with someone who insisted 7 is faster than XP) NO VERSION OF WINDOWS HAS EVER BEEN FASTER THAN THE PREVIOUS ONE, IT'S SIMPLY FUCKING BULLSHIT. PERIOD!
Maybe you shouldn't be so AbRASiVE
Re:Putting MS in check. (Score:3, Funny)
Cars crash and change with age. Windows XP does not.
I do not think that word means what you think it means...
You heard it here first (Score:1, Funny)
Re:I'm an XP lover but how about we make a deal,.. (Score:3, Funny)
"too many pointers"
Who are you, the Emperor of Austria?
"I'm sorry, Herr Mozart, but your program is just too confusing. Too many pointers."