XP Life Extended Again

Microsoft has again pushed back the the date in which computer manufacturers are allowed to receive copies of Microsoft Windows XP to May 2009.

Windows 7 is expected to be released some time in 2009, which means Microsoft has extended the fan-favorite XP shelf life far enough for users to completely skip over Windows Vista, which has not been popular among the masses as was discussed last week.

Many consumers have still been choosing to install XP on their new PCs over the more recent Vista. Windows 7 has been long suspected to be released in 2010, but with such a bad stigma on the shoulders of Vista, many feel Microsoft will be releasing Windows 7 in the upcoming year.

Windows 7 has received favorable pre-reviews from sources that have received leaked alphas of the OS. This is the same situation with Vista, which received a good share of praise before it was even released. Much of the press for Windows has praised the new design and software tools, rather than promoting a more stable OS that has fixed the issues people have reported with Vista. Windows 7 was codenamed Vienna, but that has faded away as Microsoft has been trying to separate itself from anything that can be associated with Vista.

Microsoft planned to officially retire Windows XP in January 2008, but has lengthened the life of the OS several times by extending licenses for manufacturers who have seen many of their customers request XP to be installed on their new systems. There is a clause in Vista agreements that allows manufacturers to downgrade Vista computers to run XP, which would have expired by now if Microsoft hadn’t extended it.

If you still run XP and have been feeling pressure to move on to Vista, just hold on a little longer. Windows 7 is on its way and it looks like Microsoft will be supporting XP until the Windows 7 release.