XP: The end is nigh

OEM sales of XP are due to end today

Microsoft is due to stop shipping its XP operating system to computer manufacturers later today in the face of a lot of opposition.

Microsoft is finding it hard to increase uptake of Vista and many have seen its move to stop shipping XP as a kind of lure.

As of now, a petition to keep sales of XP alive has more than 210,000 digital signatures, but today’s deadline is looming. “Join the 210,161 people so far who have signed our online petition to demand that Microsoft not stop OEM and shrinkwrapped sales of Windows XP as planned on June 30, 2008, but instead keep it available indefinitely”, the blog urges.

Last week Microsoft sent out a letter to customers telling them that it would be extending critical support for Windows XP until 2014. “With the June 30, 2008 end of sales date for Windows XP approaching, many people have asked me if they will still be able to get support for Windows XP. The answer is an emphatic "yes, you will continue to be supported"," the letter explained.

Businesses too will continue to be supported, the letter said, offering them downgrades to the XP operating system, as will smaller PCs such as those by Asus and other budget systems, Microsoft confirmed.