Microsoft extends Windows XP for five-months

Microsoft Corp has extended the sale of Windows XP to large computer manufacturers and retailers until the end of June 2008, five-months longer than its original deadline.

Windows XP will now be available from stores and on new PCs until 30 June 2008, rather than 31 January 2008 as previously planned.

Smaller computer sellers, which manufacture custom computers for individual customers, will be allowed to preinstall Windows XP on machines until 31 January 2009.

The move is in response to pressure from customers, who want more time to switch over to Windows Vista.

Microsoft has also extended the availability of Windows XP Starter Edition to 30 June 2010. Windows XP Starter Edition is designed from countries where there is a high incidence of piracy and where computer prices are low.

Despite issues with application compatibility, regulatory compliance and lack of IT staff or sufficiently powerful hardware, which may make it difficult for some small businesses to upgrade to Vista, the software still looks set to become the fastest-selling operating system in Microsoft’s history.

Microsoft had sold over 60 million Vista licenses by July.