Microsoft finalises Windows XP

Microsoft has released the finished version of Windows XP to manufacturing as it gears up for the operating system's 25 October launch.

The software will begin shipping in new PCs later this month, and reports have suggested that it may cost less than Windows 2000.

The shipment of final code to PC vendors coincides with an accidental leak of pricing information regarding the product. Last month, Amazon.com briefly started taking advance orders for XP before realising its mistake and removing the link.

The site quoted prices of $299.99 for the full version of Windows XP Professional and $199.99 for an upgrade. Windows 2000 currently costs $320 for the full version and $220 for an upgrade, although many outlets do offer prices lower than this.

This is the second time that Amazon has accidentally allowed orders for the new operating system to be submitted. A similar incident occurred in July. Microsoft has not yet released any official pricing details for any version of Windows XP, and moved quickly to stop Amazon taking orders.

Amazon spokesman Bill Curry said that, although the prices quoted could not be confirmed as those that Microsoft will officially announce, Amazon would honour all orders taken at the quoted price, even if they turn out to be lower than that eventually listed by Microsoft.

Having shipped the final code, Microsoft has plenty of time to produce the large number of copies of Windows XP that will be needed. The launch is expected to be the biggest that Microsoft has ever undertaken, dwarfing even the huge Windows 95 launch.

Although 25 October is still slated as the official launch date for the retail version of the software, the product will actually be available much earlier. PC vendors will be able to sell desktops and notebooks using the new system from 24 September.

To coincide with the release of the final code, Microsoft launched a new version of its web browser. Internet Explorer 6 will be available with Windows XP, but can be downloaded now from Microsoft's site. The new version no longer supports Java, Netscape-style plug-ins or QuickTime.