Many of our customers have voiced their concern over the upcoming End-Of-Life of Windows XP on June 30, 2008. This is definitely a legitimate concern, since Windows Vista removed the 16 bit DOS subsystem required to run AHM. The tune from Microsoft regarding this type of dilemma is to turn to their virtualization offerings including Virtual PC, Virtual Server/Hyper-V, or Terminal Services.
Many of our customers have begun implementing one or more of these technologies, with Terminal Services being the most common. We are far from alone in this dilemma.
Dell has taken the position to support customers who are not yet ready/willing to make the switch to Vista. Once the June deadline passes they will be offering an optional Downgrade Rights package with Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate What this means is that you actually purchase a Windows Vista license, but exercise the downgrade rights available within the Windows Vista license and have Dell actually exercise those rights on your behalf by installing Windows XP at the factory on your new machine. For more details on this option, please visit Dell’s page here.
Edit - Windows XP is not reaching End-Of-Life June 30, 2008. This date marks the end of Direct OEM and Retail License Availability (see http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx). Windows XP will continue to have extended support through to 2012 (see http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifecycle)
Posted
06-09-2008 10:31 PM
by
Patrick Teas