Windows promises continued XP Support until 2009 and an additional 5 years extended support. Anyone running XP (even pre-installed) should have a disk containing the program .....

As long as you have the current Service Pack (right now it's 3) MS will support XP for the next few years. Support for SP 1 and SP 1a are already gone. There are a number of programs that will not run on the newer Service Packs tho just as they will not run on Vista... Each new 'SP' only assures that they will support the older version of the program for another 12 months unless there is some 'extraordinary circumstance'. You must activate Windows XP unless you have a multiple license, like a school does, so once support is gone through Microsoft no matter how many disks you have, it will be gone. All you can do is be sure to have a backup disk with which to restore your computer. You cannot put your old copy of XP on a new computer, like you could with Win 98, 95 or 3.1 You must buy a new 'license' and they will not be around for too long. So in the end we will all just have to bite the bullet and buy Vista sooner or later... unless a 'newer' version of Windows comes out soon lol. It all just makes Mac's and Linux OS seem awfully appealing imo.

3 comments

by meganne 04 Jun 2008

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/l...
Before the Internet we used our PC's as stand alone without any problems and i, for one, would rather give up the internet than have to upgrade my OS just for upgradings sake, especially since XP Pro SP/2 works so well. But MS has supposedly advised they will be releasing another OS to replace XP long before they totally phase out the support for XP.

by meganne 04 Jun 2008

forgot to add, let's hope so. :-}

by oldandgrey 04 Jun 2008

There is a new Windows programme to replace Vista which will be out in about 12 months or so. Providing you have kept your registration no. you can use your old copy of XP on your new computer. Just stay away from Vista is is not compatible with most of the older embroidery programmes etc. not worth the hassle

Thanks for the info. My DH has to replace our laptop that was stolen and has said that he definitely doesn't want Vista. I'll pass this on to him. *4U

Thanks 4 the informed data meganne This is definitely needed info. *4U

and therefore should be able to re-install XP if they need to. Dealers are required to supply an original Disk of the XP licenced copy installed on any machine they sell. If you must buy a new pc/laptop with Vista on it and you don't want it, you should ask the dealer to remove it and install your licenced copy of XP. hugs Meganne

Glad to hear it. I am looking at upgrading at present & put it off because of Vista. Have recently decided that whatever I get, I will have my XP put onto it. Thanks for the info.
*4U