Microsoft said there's no plan to reconsider the June 30 deadline to stop selling most new Windows XP licences, despite comments from CEO Steve Ballmer which suggested XP might get another extension.
But Ballmer will consider customer feedback
Ballmer's comments at a press conference at Louvain-la-Neuve University in Belgium led to a flurry of reports on Thursday that Microsoft may be considering an extension of its deadline.
"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," Ballmer said, according to Reuters. Microsoft did not have a transcript of the event, but the spokeswoman from Waggener Edstrom said the comments seem accurate.
However, while a Microsoft spokesperson said the company is aware that some customers are pushing for an extension to the deadline, its own research among partners and customers suggests "the dates are right".
"Our plan for Windows XP availability is unchanged. We're confident that's the right thing to do based on the feedback we've heard from our customers and partners," the spokeswoman said.
"We feel we've made the right accommodations for customers in certain segments who may need more time to transition to Windows Vista," she said. "But as Steve noted, we maintain a constant stance of listening to our customers and our partners. That's what is guiding our plan, and will continue to guide us going forward."
The "accommodations" refer to several exceptions that Microsoft has made to the June 30 deadline. For example, companies that make volume purchases of Vista Business or Vista Ultimate can ask their vendor to 'downgrade' their licence to Windows XP. Microsoft has also made exceptions for the emerging class of small, ultra-low-cost PCs, and it will continue to provide Windows XP Starter Edition for PCs sold in emerging markets.
Retailers and PC vendors can also continue to sell any backlog of Windows XP licences that they bought before the June 30 deadline. Beyond those exceptions, most new Windows licenses purchased after June 30 will be for Windows Vista.
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Comments
Helpful? said: Here in the UK innovator the noun is licence and the verb is license Thats science fact
innovator said: First of all Learn how to spell License in this article Secondly Customers are always right in that WindowsXP should have an extensions since that vista has some bugs and is not user- friendly
Debbie Marlowe said: Vista is pretty but I prefer XPs functionality We purchased HP computers running Vista and in my opinoin all the little perks are not necessary to get the job done
Roy Harrison said: From what I havwe seen in the shops I much prefer Windows XP to Vista as it is far better for us elderly to use
William M said: Microsoft is going too fast they are just forcing everyone to go over to vista and expect all the software maker to make a quick fix to their programs but some compiens cant do it quick
Janice Carr said: I look forward to the release of Windows 7 which so many XP users claim to be waiting for It will of course be absolutely perfect on launch friendly to their older programs and absolutely stable just like XP was on launch Oh but wait - it wasnt was it And werent there magazines calling it bloated and a necessary evil that wed all be forced to switch to eventually Now where have I heard that before
JimC said: We run a business on Vista machines - one small problem with an older HP printer - but thats it A great upgrade with the added security of user access control Features like the search option are a great time-saver and much better than XP Combined with the new Office 2007 - brilliant We like it - time to move on folks
Jurgen Klingemann said: As I have read that Vista is not being embraced by us computer geeks Microsoft have therefore decided to bring out another OS to replace Vista So extending the most used Windows XP is and would be a prudent move by MicrosoftAnother OS that seems to be heading for the same fate is Windows Home Server This is now being superceeded by Windows 2008 as there are quite a few issues with Windows Home Server I know ive tryed it and it does not like third party software being installedSo come on Microsoft do extend Windows XP and for once LISTEN to your endusers After all they are the ones who make your profits
JimC said: We run a business on Vista machines - one small problem with an older HP printer - but thats it A great upgrade with the added security of user access control Features like the search option are a great time-saver and much better than XP Combined with the new Office 2007 - brilliant We like it - time to move on folks
Brian Gibbon said: XP MUST stay Vista is no where near i as good as XP ii as good as MS crack it up to beingXP has been the backbone of most small business computer systems for a number of years - why should an international conglomerate get away with forcing these small businesses in to change and expenditure that is not warranted
Edmund murgatroyd said: i think they should keep windows xp a bit longer a lot of people have had problems with vista including me
John Hendry said: Windows XP should be extended It works But Microsoft has pretty well always gone its own way to maximise profits Greed is what always happens when there is no realistic competition
John Ranger said: Windows XP should be kept as Vista is not for the run of the mill user it is to complicated I have 2 machines one runs Xp the other runs Vista and has more failures when adding programes than XP