Windows XP transitions out of Mainstream Support phase
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 14th 2009 1:47PM
posted April 14th 2009 1:47PM
It may only be a footnote in the long history of Windows XP, but Microsoft has confirmed today that, as planned, the venerable OS has finally and officially transitioned from the Mainstream Support phase to the Extended Support phase. This, of course, follows a number of extensions to the Mainstream Support phase (which normally only lasts five years), although most users likely won't notice much of a difference as XP moves into this new, more wistful period of life, as they'll still be getting regular security updates and occasional hotfixes (depending on their support plan) all the way until April 8th, 2014 -- or who knows how much longer if the demand is there.
A new version doesn't always mean better or faster software
which would be why people like myself prefer open source software.. if you don't like the new version of something DOWNGRADE!!!! or mix and match whatever works and that just isn't gonna happen on Windows or even OSX
And Linux is not hard even "hard" distros like arch arn't that hard and the likes of suse fedora and ubuntu make it a no brainer and maybe I should through in PC-BSD in there though i havn't tried it
I didn't really did the 7 beta. For me it was kind of slow. My Vista rig is booking. Probably just needs more updates for drivers.
But I think 7 will be great.
Don't much care for support either way, I always get the system builders version anyway(no support but much cheaper).
I remember when xp came out...everyone hated it. "98 for life yo!"
Now vista is here...everyone hates it "Xp for life gangsta!"
The Vista operating system doesn't suck, people just can't handle change.
if people hate change so much, why has the feedback for win7 been so overwhelmingly positive?
7 is mojave.
"why has the feedback for win7 been so overwhelmingly positive?"
I suppose you have a reputable source to back that up that isn't sponsored by Microsoft?
7 is not Mohave. Mohave is made up marketing speak for Vista.
"The Vista operating system doesn't suck, people just can't handle change."
The problem is that change costs. And with Vista it cost more than just the OS, it cost new hardware in most cases, and it came with a steeper learning curve than 95 to 2000 to XP.
It's not a matter of being able to handle change. It's "what does the change cost, and do the benefits outweigh the costs, and do the pros outweigh the cons?"
For me, they did not.
I love change. Give me an operating system that is secure without being in my face, runs significantly faster (like at least 30%) and doesn't get in my way, and I'll consider it. I will consider Windows 7 for my next PC. Maybe. Once I'm convinced that it really is better. MS fooled us with Vista. I'm gonna hang back and see how 7 is accepted for at least 6 months before I jump on. If it's not significantly better than XP, for what I need to do, then I'll stick with XP.
@Andir
You mean aside from every technical journal with the exception of Infoworld (LOL!)?
I am glad I just purchased a dell mini 9 with windows xp on it. 100% extended support. awesome.
C'mon people, this is just the discontinuation of mainstream support. MS will continue releasing security patches. No worries. The place I work at just switched to XP. Many businesses are still using 2k/XP. Since there are apps that are not 100% compatible with Vista/7, and until those apps are patched/replaced to support the new OS it is actually a good idea to keep a copy of XP (especially if you pay for it).
At the same time, people buying new PCs shouldn't have much troubles with Vista. The question is, what would happen to netbooks still selling with XP?
XP is actually a hindrance to netbooks right now because microsoft won't sell XP on anything with more than 1gb of ram. Apparently windows 7 is optimized for netbooks (it scales its idle ram usage according to what's available), so in all likelihood as soon as it's released you'll be seeing it preloaded.
To those telling us to move on to Linux/OSX:
Give me one good reason that is not out to convince me over how 'Virus free' 'Stable' or 'Efficient' it is.
Go.
Why, because you don't like being virus free, stable or efficient?
OSX is more streamlined. It takes the crap out that you don't need and slows your machine down (or specifically for you, a Windows user, bloatware and unnecessary background processes).
@ Zak, I have never had a virus on XP, why because I have Nod32. People carry AIDS, but if your smart and don't mess around with questionable women (bad websites), wear a rubber (Nod32, AVG), and do regular testing (scans) you will probably never get infected. As for stability I have never had a BSOD on XP or had it crash.
it supports more than 3GB of RAM.
take the red pill already!
Um windows supports more than 3 gigs or ram. im using 4 gigs right now on windows 7 and have all 4 shown as being available.
holy banoli. Windows 7 supports more than 3GB of ram? Phew, good to hear. Sorry i've mistaken the article being about XP and users sticking with that. the actually usable versions (where actually drivers for stuff exist, the 32bit ones) of XP and Vista fail at RAM: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605
@Tom only the server 32 bit version support 4+ gb also note that 4Gb includes video memory so the guy staying only 3Gb shows could have a graphics card with 1Gb that he doesn't see for ram
Both 32 bit Linux and Windows server support upto 64gb (varies for windows 8-32Gb) in PAE mode
@Orbital Ease of customisability that one of the main things for me I can run TWM and get the retro 1985 going on or run KDE4 which may as well turn Linux into vista (just a tad more lite weight though)
While im talking about KDE4 the plasma desktop makes Vista look like a joke its about 100X more customizable and intuituve
Package managers obsolete surfing the web for programs especially on the big distros
you know i could really go on and on... but if you don't wanna try it I certainly can't make you...
unless we can pass legislation that all schools must use free OSs to reduce cost (install everything all programs in one install reducing cost ... no antivirus to buy ... no office suite to buy)
@cb88:
How good is Linux at running Crysis? How good is it at running DX10 games?
XP, Vista, 7 or Mac OS I never use support anyway.
Oh and about moving to OS X. If you mean OsX86 I belive it is illegal.
And I'm not buyying a new computer to get a OS.
illegal? Against their EULA, yes, but not necessarily "illegal". That word really gets abused nowadays. What's wrong with purchasing a copy from the store, and installing OSX86? Nothing. Companies are restricted as to what they can throw in their EULAs. They can't put anything they want, just like they can't say "By agreeing to this software you will give us your left kidney" - That just doesn't work..
So please refrain from using 'illegal' when it technically hasn't been proven to be ... Yet (if ever)
Yeah, and Psystar is getting sued for fun!
Psystar are getting sued for selling modified OSX, What you do in the privacy of your own home is none of Apple's business you sad little corporate slave.
Just keep the security updates coming and I'll be fine. I'd love to upgrade my company to Win7, but the cost of hardware alone is huge. I have a handful of machines that came with Windows ME stickers on them... Perhaps its in the cards to buy everyone netTops with Win7 installed- hardware cost isn't too bad.
I love XP, and run it on most of my computers, including my netbook, which I'm on right now.
That being said, I'm also running the Windows 7 beta, and think it a worthy successor to the throne.
I don't know from Vista to have an opinion, but I get the impression it's not as bad as it was.
It seems weird to not extend mainstream support (again) with millions(??) of netbooks selling w/ XP on them right now.
meh..
I can't wait to try out Windows 7, am getting bored of xp. Osx is not even an option. Would try out linux when its more stable...
Linux is still better and MAC also. In my first 6 months of Ubuntu im still happy cant wait for Ubuntu 9.4 in April 23 and a iphone in 2011.
Everyone using XP really needs to get stop living in the stone age. I mean seriously, the fucking OS is so god damn old, go try out the Windows 7 beta. I personally liked Vista, I mean obviously it wasn't really a big upgrade from XP, it basically was XP with a GUI upgrade. Windows 7 feels like a new OS, much faster and a hell of a lot better than XP, and it is rather stable. I don't know what i'm going to do when the beta ends, I can't go back to using anything else, it's going to suck.
you have it kinda... XP -> major GUI and Kernel (ie stuff Like PAX on Linux and UAC ) upgrade however Vista -> Win7 is mostly just a GUI upgrade the kernel hasn't changed that much its more about making it "appear" faster
cb88, wtf does "appear faster" mean?
lern2checkouttimingbenchmarksofwin7againstvistandxp
It means tricks like bringing up a desktop before it is usable .... in some good cases it means having a separate thread for the GUI is more responsive BeOS did this and I feels WAY faster but in fact benchmarks slower although the multimedia optimisations Be did make up for it since most CPU hungry apps were the multimedia ones
The unusable desktop is even a problem for Linux (Ubuntu etc ... other distros don't bother to load stuff in a separate process and don't have this problem but boot slower as well) this is being fixed in the Moblin distro which is aiming for 5-2 sec boots on intel HW something similar could be done for ATI chips but probably not nvidia
lots of times XP just locks up while doing something while the appearances of more speed would do the same task in the same time it would do it with less GUI lockups which isn't all bad is it XD
Richard @ Apr 14th 2009 2:13PM
"Please do tell us how Windows Vista/7 is more efficient than Windows XP. "
I'll presume that you haven't actually tried Windows 7 then.
Most people who shit on Vista never used it or heard about its "problems" from a friend. I'll admit it; I used to be one of these people.
I tried Vista and now I use it everyday with no problems. I can't see myself going back to XP ever again.
I can't believe all of you people sticking to xp. vista is much better for gaming and everything else blows xp out and windows 7 is even better you people are missing out!!!!!!!!
I use a Mac but if I have to upgrade to a newer Windows, fair enough but after experiencing Vista I think I'll wait for Vista finished.
Vista feels like XP but with shiny stuff. 7, from what I've done with it, feels like a whole new experience. I think XP will no longer be necessary when 7 is released. That's my guess.
Obviously XP is a great system, but how many people can honestly say they'll be using it on their primary computer in 2014? I was burnt like most of you when I "upgraded" to Vista a few years back. And I was seriously apprehensive when I had to get it with my most recent computer.
But, against the odds, I rather like Vista. I'm no apologist for its flaws, but I think it's being unfairly knifed by Microsoft. The move to "7" seems to be more influenced by marketing than any radical change in the OS. I can't think of one feature of 7 that would make me upgrade from Vista, given that those features will, or already have, found their way to Vista.
I just feel bad for us, the consumers who are going to be expected to pick the tab for Microsoft's litany of early mistakes with Vista. But I hope some of us have learned our lesson. When this Vista laptop eventually starts to sputter, I know what OS I'm upgrading too: Ubuntu.
Word.
windows 7 (http://ibuymobile.co.uk/reviews/2009/02/14/a-quick-windows-7-review/) will soon obsolete XP
W7 runs much better than vista..eagerly awaiting for its launch..
I still think it is crazy that I still have issues with Vista Ultimate that I don't have with XP Pro. I'm really curious to know what Microsoft is thinking.
If MS wants to see the masses move quicker than superman to OSX or Linux just stop support for Windows XP. Especially since we all know what a terrible os Vista is & having no proof that Windows 7 will be any better..
Man reading all these comments is sorta tiring...
I don't see the point of hopelessly fighting about Apple and PC, I for one use both Mac OSX and Windows 7 (And have tried every flavour of Linux!).
My CAD work requires me to use Windows, and having used XP for such a long time I agree that many people have come to love it. I could say that the majority of teenagers grew up with XP, as I have and it is a good OS; but when people start to make accusations about stuff you know nothing about (Especially all the Maclovin' users out there), I cannot help but wonder if you really are as stupid as you sound.
For everyone scared of change; If you're happy with what you have, I don't see why you have to upgrade. SIMPLE AS THAT. However, the world progresses.... not everyone wants to run NT 5 and DOS programs forever; new hardware deserves new software, for all those businesses that simply can't afford upgrades, If they're happy with what they have; so be it.
I bought a Mac (yes, I hopped on the bandwagon), for a laptop and I can say it is a great lil machine that has served me well in general productivity, but when it comes to my work, nothing can compare to my Windows 7 beast running Dual Monitors and Quadro FX cards (I was pretty pleased with how it was in BETA, I installed it on my work PC). If I had money to burn like some of you Apple Fanboys, why not splash out on Macbook Airs and Mac Pros?.. However this is the real world, money doesn't grow on trees. When I can get far more productivity from a Windows Workstation for almost half the cost of a comparable Mac, I'm pretty sure almost everyone would go for the cheaper alternative. If you want to, do this simple test, dual-boot, even triple boot, Linux, Windows XP/Vista/7 and/or Mac; whatever OS you boot into and feel comfortable with most is the one I would use....
So if you simply don't have anything good to say about either camp don't bother commenting. It'll just be wasting space on my LCD screen.
P.S To all the linux users who claim it to be the 2nd coming.... come again. The day when I can run a Linux PC with as little effort (who wants to waste their life fiddling with Open Source when paying for something better outweighs the time spent trying to get their basic hardware running?) as a Mac or Windows alternative, is the day when I sell everything I own and give it to the poor. Sorry mate never gonna happen.....
no one can just kill off windows XP; no matter how hard Microsoft tries, it will still be their greatest OS ever conceived. As promising as Windows 7 looks; I have a feeling XP is here to stay for a long time yet. Why quit using a perfectly fine operating system with something more bloated and buggy?
As for Windows 7, the development has come a long way and from my experience using it as a primary OS on my desktop; I can say it kicks Vista's ass by a long shot. It overcomes a lot of the downfalls of XP and Vista, while keeping the CPU and RAM utilization relatively low compared to Vista. I have a lot of hope for Windows 7.
i love XP