Windows XP to be retired in January 2008

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BBC NEWS | Technology | Windows XP to be retired in 2008

Quote:

Windows XP will stop being available on new PCs from the end of January 2008.

Microsoft is keeping to a plan to stop selling the operating system even though surveys show a lukewarm response to Windows Vista among consumers.

A poll by US market research firm Harris Interactive found that only 10% of those questioned were planning to upgrade to Vista in the near future.

All versions of XP, including those made for media centre or tablet PCs, are affected by the decision.

Microsoft has confirmed that from 31 January 2008 large PC makers, such as Dell, HP and Toshiba, will no longer be able to buy licences for the software so they can install it on new machines.

Windows XP is being retired to make way for Windows Vista, the consumer editions of which were launched in Europe on 30 January.

However, a poll released in early April suggests that Vista has yet to win over significant numbers of potential customers.

The study of 2,223 web-using Americans found that although 87% had heard of the operating system only 12% of those who knew of it were planning to install it. (continues)

User: inactive Posts:

I won't give my full evaluation of Vista here. That kind of language would get me banned. Wink

However I can say that there will be NO Vista here unless XP just quits working all together. I'd rather run ME (again) than Vista.

On the matter of the Beta version that reportedly died on June 1.
It was programmed to do that.
But.....It goes by the real-time clock settings on the mobo. Set that clock back a few months and Vista-Beta will continue to function. No biggie!

I'm running the Vista Beta version on an older computer, on a spare HD, just for the purpose of testing out tips and tweaks to make it run better and look better. Setting the real-time clock back keeps it going. Wink

Cheers!
Shadow Cool

BudDurland · Joined: Dec 05, 2002 Posts: 415

I suspect a lot of people are waiting for Vista SP1 to come out. I tried Vista at home, and decided I liked XP better. I suppose it could have been the learning curve, as much has changed, but it was annoying to be asked permission to run something every time I opened an executable.

At work, I'm already working with my reseller to find computer vendors that will continue to offer XP (so far, HP has done well), and to find ways to downgrade to XP from vista, complete with usable product keys, etc.

User: inactive Posts:

Shut down that obnoxious security warning thing (UAC) and stop being bugged!

Copy this little script into Notepad:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"EnableLUA"=dword:00000000

Then save it with the name "DisableUAC.reg" and run it to permanently disable that annoying UAC thing.

Stick it on your Utilities CD so you can easily use it on multiple PC's.

Just editing that reg script by changing the last zero in that dword to a one (1) will let the script turn UAC back on.

Job done.....UAC gone!

Then changing all screens to Classic Style, makes Vista look a lot more like XP, which for people upgrading to Vista from XP makes them feel more at home.

When I get done tweaking and tuning Vista for my home users, they hardly know they're running Vista.
(unless they look at the file-load on the HD). Laughing

Running the "DeCrapifier" don't hurt anything either. It puts you on the fast track to cleaning up Vista on a new PC.

It will list all the programs it deems as "Crap" and lets you decide what you want to remove. However, on the latest version I have, it fails to remove "Wild Tangent". I delete that manually on every install or tuneup on a PC I've never seen before. Many Anti-Spyware programs will find that and remove it, also removing registry entries not removed using Add/Remove programs.

Just like the many versions of Windows before it, Vista can be made to run much cleaner and faster by some thoughtful tweaking and tuning.

Even using as many Speed secrets as I can, a full setup on a new Vista PC takes me about three hours. There's just so many little details that can't be done with batch files, scripts or .reg files. Like setting up the customer's ISP and eMail.

Don't get in a hurry,,,, do it right the first time.

Cheers Mates!
Shadow Cool

profhig · Joined: Sep 06, 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Tamworth, UK

Nice bit of info once again from Shadow. Not that I have been anywhere near Vista yet! I downloaded the beta iso some time ago, intending to run it as a dual boot but read so many horror stories I changed my mind and deleted it!
I always liked '98, but with no support I took the plunge to XP when I felt it necessary. (Yes, I missed out the intermediate releases that seemed to have too many issues) The main differences I found with this switch were a 'pretty' gui, a few file locations changed and a lot of unessecary stuff loaded by default that takes a bit of know-how to remove or disable!
I can see a time coming where anybody with the slightest technical skill will ditch Windows for an alternative such as Linux. If Bill and his mates can't see this coming, they may be in for a surprise. Unfortunately, this will probably mean that Windows doesn't get cheaper, those who can't make the move will have to pay more.

User: inactive Posts:

Well, ol' Bill ain't as slow and nerdly as some may think.

Some of my informants tell me that ol' Bill , Mr Hubble and many of our trusted govt. leaders have moved all their ready assets into foreign banks and converted them to Euros.

Yep, Vista will more than likely be the last nail in M$'s coffin.

When the stock market crashes and the dollar is devalued, M$ stock won't be worth the paper its printed on. But, ol' Bill has his personal assets where they won't be touched. It's unlikely that there will be any Service Packs for Vista
after that.

Oh well.........

Cool

BudDurland · Joined: Dec 05, 2002 Posts: 415

User: inactive Posts:

Linux, Unix or Zenix is great for the Geek, Nerd or Dabler, but for the mainstream computer user it totally wets the bed. Twisted Evil

They need something that will run every program they download or pick up on the bargain rack at Wal-Mart.

Tell ol' granny Whipple that she needs to learn a totally new Operating System that won't run any of her favorite programs and she'll beat you black and blue with her ten pound purse.

Linux is the very last thing in the world that I'd ever mention to any of my Home Computer users.

But take heart.......XP will still be running strong long after me and all my customers are six feet under.

Just like some folks are still running Windows 95, 98 and even ME with no problems what-so-ever. Just keep the hardware running and those old OS's will serve you well, into the next millennium.
Likewise XP.

The day I finally die, XP will be happily running on my PC.

Cheers Mates!
Shadow Cool

profhig · Joined: Sep 06, 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Tamworth, UK

Yeah, that is a bit of a tumbling block!

User: inactive Posts:

Tumbling block or Stumbling Block?

What is? Question

XP won't stop running just because Microshaft declares it obsolete.
Does that stop windows 98 from running.....hell NO!
It still runs just fine, like it did seven years ago. NO Difference!
Who needs M$'s stupid updates that just cause all sorts of problems?

So why are any of us up tight about XP? Forgetaboutit!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy! And when M$ stops updating it.....enjoy it some more!!!

I sure will..... Wink

Shadow