Skip to navigation
Latest News

Ballmer dithers over XP deadline

By Stuart Turton and Reuters

Posted on 10 Feb 2012 at 23:48

Microsoft could re-think its decision to phase out Windows XP on 30 June if customers make enough noise on the issue, according to Steve Ballmer.

"XP will hit an end-of-life," he told reporters at the opening of a new Microsoft press office in Belgium. "We have announced one. 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."

The statement is not the first time Microsoft has wavered on XP's deadline. The OS was originally planned to be culled in January but the deadline was extended to June. And earlier this month Microsoft said XP would continue to be made available to low-cost laptop makers after the cut-off.

Ballmer claimed the company had yet to see any significant demand from customers over extending the XP deadline, despite Dell's decision to launch a new range of Vostro laptops with the option of having Windows XP pre-installed.

When quizzed about whether it would continue to supply XP-loaded laptops after the deadline Dell would only respond: "We're here to supply what customers want."

XP has recently received its third Service Pack, with Microsoft keen to downplay the benefits as Vista flounders.

Subscribe to PC Pro magazine. We'll give you 3 issues for £1 plus a free gift - click here

From around the web

Be the first to comment this article

You need to Login or Register to comment.

(optional)

advertisement

Most Commented News Stories
More From PC Pro
Latest Blog Posts Subscribe to our RSS Feeds
Latest ReviewsSubscribe to our RSS Feeds
Latest Real World Computing

advertisement

Sponsored Links
 
SEARCH
SIGN UP

Your email:

Your password:

remember me

advertisement


Hitwise Top 10 Website 2010
 
 

PCPro-Computing in the Real World Printed from www.pcpro.co.uk

Register to receive our regular email newsletter at http://www.pcpro.co.uk/registration.

The newsletter contains links to our latest PC news, product reviews, features and how-to guides, plus special offers and competitions.