ED#60 : Microsoft To Extend Windows XP Availability

Microsoft had earlier announced the end of availability of Windows XP in retail and OEM channels by end of January 2008. However, they recently amended that and has extended the availability of Windows XP until June 30, 2008 for OEM PCs and June 30, 2010 for emerging markets.

Before we look at the announcement, let us reiterate that Microsoft will continue to support Windows XP with updates until August 4, 2014 under their Extended Support Policy. For more information, take a look at our Service Pack 3 editorial.

Microsoft Windows XP Product End of Life Date Extension

In response to OEM and customer feedback, Microsoft is extending the availability of all Microsoft® Windows® XP products preinstalled on new Direct OEM PCs from January 31, 2008 to June 30, 2008.  Additionally, Microsoft will be further extending the availability of Windows XP Starter Edition through June 30, 2010, in 139 emerging markets where the product is currently available, for use in the rapidly growing class of hardware-constrained ultra low cost PCs.

Due to the fact that Windows XP Starter Edition is not currently offered in China, Microsoft will continue to offer Windows XP Home Edition through June 30, 2010, for use in ultra low cost PCs.  There is no change to the current Windows XP End of Life date for the System Builder Channel, other than the extension of Windows XP Starter Edition (and Windows XP Home Edition in China) for use in this new class of PCs in emerging markets.  For all other Windows XP products, the End of Life date for the System Builder Channel remains January 31, 2009.

Microsoft continues to be excited about the progress of Windows Vista® and its promise to be the most widely used operating system ever.  At the same time, we recognize that some of our customers need additional time to make the transition to Windows Vista, our most secure and most reliable operating system.  This is especially true for our small business and emerging market customers.

To best meet these customers' needs, Microsoft is extending the availability of Windows XP products preinstalled on Direct OEM PCs through June 30, 2008 (five months beyond the original End of Life date).

• This extension is worldwide.  It includes all Windows XP products, including Windows XP Professional (including Media Center Edition (MCE), Tablet, and X64) and Windows XP Home Edition.  Direct OEMs will now have the ability to preinstall and distribute these products through June 30, 2008.
   
• Additionally, Microsoft will be further extending the availability of Windows XP Starter Edition through June 30, 2010, in 139 emerging markets where the product is currently available, for use in the rapidly growing class of hardware-constrained ultra low cost PCs.  Due to the fact that Windows XP Starter Edition is not currently offered in China, Microsoft will continue to offer Windows XP Home Edition through June 30, 2010, for use in ultra low cost PCs.  The specific terms of this extension will be provided in a future OEM communication.
   
• Windows XP Professional SP2c Required Supplement:  Given the low level of remaining Windows XP Professional product keys available to Direct OEMs, all Direct OEMs must implement Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2c (SP2c) as a required supplement to ensure these products have sufficient product key inventory through June 30, 2008.
   
  • SP2c only impacts Windows XP Professional; therefore SP2c is not needed for other Windows XP versions (i.e., MCE, Home, x64, Tablet, or Starter editions).
     
  • SP2c is strictly a code release to address the necessary product key expansion.
     
  • In an effort to reduce the impact of this requirement, OEMs will have until March 1, 2008, to implement the Windows XP Professional SP2c required supplement.
     
  • When SP2c OEM Pre-installation Kits (OPKs) are released, OEMs may continue to use Service Pack 2b (SP2b) Certificate of Authenticity (COA) end item part numbers with either OEM Pre-installation Kit (OPK) version until the March 1, 2008 deadline.  However, beginning March 1, 2008, OEMs must distribute only Windows XP Professional SP2c, as Windows XP Professional COAs manufactured after this date will only include SP2c product keys.  This includes preinstalled images, corresponding recovery media (if any), and SP2c end item part numbers.
     
  • Timing regarding the expected release dates for SP2c OPKs and corresponding end item part numbers will be communicated by October 12, 2007.  A supplement letter further outlining SP2c implementation requirements will be sent with this separate communication.
     
• Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3):  Windows XP SP3 availability is expected in the first half of the 2008 calendar year.  Given the longer availability of Windows XP products in the Direct OEM channel, Microsoft will make Windows XP SP3 optionally available to Direct OEMs.  See http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/servicepacks.mspx for additional details.
   
• Microsoft Desktop Operating System License Agreement Waiver Letter:  Direct OEMs will receive a waiver letter to the Desktop Operating System License Agreement version 10.0 (DTOS) addressing the extension of the End of Life date for all Windows XP products to June 30, 2008, as well as changes to the rights set forth in Additional Terms (ATs) 3015, 3029, 3030, and 3034:
   
  • The End of Life date in AT 3015 has been waived through June 30, 2008 for applicable Windows XP Products.
     
  • As outlined in ATs 3029 and 3030, the expiration of eligibility for Windows XP Products under the Market Development Agreement (MDA) program has been waived through June 30, 2008.
     
  • Additionally, Microsoft is increasing the Period II Ultimate/Business Mix Discount Schedule discount amounts for eligible Windows Vista Products to equal the discount amounts in Period I, in light of the extended availability of Windows XP Products.  Please note that the Ultimate/Business Mix Discount only applies to Windows Vista Products.
     
• Effect of Extension on Current Windows-Based Incentive Programs:  Windows XP product eligibility under the following programs will also be extended through June 30, 2008:
   
  • Genuine Windows Experience (GWE)
     
  • India Rising
     
  • Russian/Simplified Chinese Volume Discounts
     
    NOTE: Windows XP product eligibility under the Jumpstart 2007 Program expired on February 28, 2007.  The reinstatement of Jumpstart discounts eligibility for Windows XP products will not occur as a result of this extension.
     
• End User Downgrade Rights (Windows Vista Business/Ultimate Editions):  OEMs' ability to provide an OEM Activation (OA) enabled Windows XP recovery disk either 1) in the system packaging with an OA-enabled Windows Vista Business/Ultimate system or 2) to an End User with such a Windows Vista system upon request, is being extended through January 31, 2009.  The previous end date was July 31, 2008.
   
  • A separate web-based downgrade mechanism through the Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) for Direct OEMs who do not utilize OA and for Gold and Certified level System Builders is still in development.  A separate communication outlining expected timing for this solution will be sent by October 12, 2007.
     
  • Please see the June 7, 2007 Announcement, Downgrade Rights Supplement for Windows Vista Ultimate and Business, for additional details.
     
• Please note that Microsoft will not extend product support for Windows XP products beyond currently published dates.  Mainstream support for Windows XP ends on April 14, 2009.  Additionally, Microsoft Extended Support retires on April 8, 2014.  See http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectwin for more details.
   
• After June 30, 2008, Windows XP products will remain available in the System Builder Channel through January 31, 2009.

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