Windows XP - back from the dead

Just as we suspected it might, Microsoft's announced that Windows XP won't be completely pulled from the shops in two months' time after all. Instead, a special XP Home for ULCPCs (ultra-low-cost PCs) will live on in OEM form until 30th June 2010.

That date could itself be extended further because Microsoft says the ULPC version will stick around for a full year after general availability of the next version of Windows, should that come later than June 2009. It's already promising that 'Windows 7', as it's currently known, will have better support than Vista for all ranges of hardware, meaning XP won't be needed to fill the low-end gap.

Microsoft says it's taken the action specifically because of the sudden popularity of small, low-end PCs, such as the Eee (pictured). Asus has only just started shipping Ees with XP pre-loaded but already says it expects the XP models to outsell Linux-loaded ones.

As for larger laptops and PCs, 30th June remains the cut-off time for all new kit to be loaded with Vista, so don't hang about if you'd rather not 'upgrade' your OS with your next PC.

[ AP]