Microsoft quietly extends Windows XP lifecycle, again

Redmond (WA) – The final shipment date remains a moving target as Microsoft granted system builders a “flexible” delivery date of Windows XP licenses to customers beyond the official phase-out deadline of January 31, 2009. PC vendors still have to purchase licenses before that date, but can now choose to take delivery of those licenses through May 30, 2009.

Windows XP has become a painful, never-ending story for Microsoft and it is now likely that Windows XP will ship on new computers with a distance of only half a year to the first availability of Windows 7 (which is expected to ship in Q4.) Microsoft told ChannelWeb that the system builder license availability end date remains January 31, 2009; but actually delivery can be taken up to 119 days after that. Microsoft has changed its final Windows XP shipment plans at least four times since the release of Windows Vista, but the May 30 date some seems final.

Read more: tgdaily.com