MS Cannot Stop XP

Will XP's 'execution stay' for emerging markets apply to other countries? Posted by Mary Jo Foley Speculation continues to swirl as to when and whether Microsoft will extend the June 30, 2008, cut-off date on which many PC makers will be expected to cease bundling Windows XP with new PCs. But some pundits seem to have forgotten that when Microsoft initially granted Windows XP five more months to live, back in 2007, the company left itself a loophole. (And I don't mean just the early 2009 cut-off date it granted white-box vendors/system builders). Late last year, Microsoft officials said that vendors preloading Windows on PCs aimed at "emerging markets" wouldn't have to stop selling Windows XP until 2010.

From Microsoft's September 27, 2007, press release: "(S)ince some of the systems that ship in emerging markets don't meet the requirements for Windows Vista, we will be extending availability of Windows XP Starter Edition to June 30, 2010. This will allow our OEM partners who sell PCs in emerging markets more opportunity to offer genuine Windows licenses."............