Windows XP fails to excite UK users

Microsoft's Windows XP has a job on its hands to convince users that it will be significantly better than existing operating systems.

The software giant has been heavily promoting XP, the successor to Windows 2000, which is due later this year. Its success is vital to the realisation of the company's .Net strategy.

"Windows XP builds on users' dreams, taking the power and adaptability of the PC to a new level," said Bill Gates, Microsoft's chairman and chief software architect.

The enhanced capabilities and user interface have not, however, convinced many UK businesses contacted by Computing that they need to upgrade.

Gavin Bolton, network manager at manufacturing firm Porvair International, is one such sceptic. Porvair is due to upgrade from Windows 95 to Windows 2000 Professional this summer - out of necessity rather than choice - because Microsoft is withdrawing support for Windows 95.

"I can't really see what XP will give me over Windows 2000. It doesn't look like deployment will be easy," he said. "Windows 95 has given us all we've needed for the last six years, and I envisage Windows 2000 will do the same."

Microsoft said it was sure that Windows XP will provide additional user benefits and enhance productivity. "We are confident that it will provide a much richer user experience than any of our previous operating systems," said a spokeswoman.