Dell finally gives up on Windows XP
Summary
Dell said that it plans later this month to stop selling PCs downgraded to Windows XP, ahead of next month's deadline.
Topics
Dell said on Tuesday that it plans later this month to stop selling PCs downgraded to Windows XP, ahead of next month's deadline to stop nearly all shipments of PCs running the older operating system.
Microsoft ended sales of Windows XP some time ago, but has continued to allow PC makers to sell Windows 7 machines that are "factory downgraded" to the older operating system. However, even that option is set to end October 22 for Dell and other PC makers. "This means that we will stop offering XP as an option for customers starting this month in preparation for next month's deadline," Dell said in a blog post. The company plans to continue offering driver support for Windows XP until December 2012.
Although Microsoft is requiring PC makers to stop selling PCs with Windows XP running, the computer maker has agreed to continue to give customers with Windows 7 Professional the right to downgrade to XP through the entire life cycle of Windows 7.
For more on this story, read Dell prepares for Windows XP's final act on CNET News.
Talkback Most Recent of 67 Talkback(s)
-
DonnieBoy8th Sep 2010 -
RE: Dell finally gives up on Windows XP
@DonnieBoy
Can you get a Macbook with OS 10.5 or earlier? Can you buy any mobile device with any other OS than the one that they give you? No. You can still downgrade if you want you just have to ask for it and get a disc and key separately for FREE. Just face the facts. Most people have no need to downgrade and the sales show that the vast majority do not. So to cut costs they are ending it at the time of purchase but offering a way to get it if you want. Troll
bobiroc8th Sep 2010 -
RE: Dell finally gives up on Windows XP
@bobirockhead
You can OS downgrade anytime you want to. The issue is the driver support. Will XP drivers still be available for new models?
Get a clue.
ahh so9th Sep 2010 -
Good!
It's like selling computers with Windows 98 but downgrading them to Windows 3.1 for the sake of users who are still living in the early 1990s. Change is inevitable, XP is dead, deal with it!
statuskwo58th Sep 2010 -
No it isn't and no it isn't
@statuskwo5
XP is still supported and runs all my apps very well. I do not have malware problems of any kind. I cannot think of a single reason why I would spend time and money upgrading the OS. I do not have a problem and therefore nothing to fix. And I could not care less what you think.
Economister8th Sep 2010 -
RE: Dell finally gives up on Windows XP
@Economister
I agree 100%
MLHACK8th Sep 2010 -
RE: Dell finally gives up on Windows XP
@Economister
+1 Right On, to hell with M$ need for money. If I want to buy a new system, it'll be preloaded with W7 and I'll quite happily learn how to use it. But can't see the point spending money on a new OS, just to do the same things - albiet some of them slightly differently.
If I wanted an entirely new experience, I'd change to Linux, not W7. I'm into at the most, 7 different things. W7 doesn't let me do them better, easier or with any increased degree of professionalism. It just makes me relearn the same stuff I know now. Better networking, security, folders??? Puh!!! Don't NEED it.
I'm keeping my money until I decide I NEED W7. Not when M$ wants my money.
Amnezia8th Sep 2010 -
RE: Dell finally gives up on Windows XP
@Economister
No one is saying you have to stop using it. Did you miss the part where Microsoft is going to allow downgrades through the sales life of Windows 7. That is at least a couple more years away and you have to admit that supporting an OS and allowing downgrades to it for over 10 years is pretty generous. No one else allows you to do it. Well linux does but that is free all around but some companies never let you downgrade for whatever reason like apple. Do you hear people crying because they cannot get OS 10.5 or earlier or even OS9 anymore? No because they have moved on. Win 7 supports today's modern hardware as well as much of the hardware of the past. It also works with the vast majority of software even if you have to use compatibility modes or in some cases XP Mode. Quit your bellyaching. You are complaining when there is nothing to complain about.bobiroc8th Sep 2010 -
RE: Dell finally gives up on Windows XP
Did you miss the part where Microsoft is going to allow downgrades through the sales life of Windows 7.
@bobrockhead, that is utterly pointless if XP drivers aren't available.
I do agree that XP will have to phased out eventually, but I don't care for M$ spreading FUD about downgrade rights when the only thing in the future stopping consumers from doing so is OEM driver support.
So cut the bullsh!t, ok...ahh so9th Sep 2010 -
I Agree too!
@Economister I run 3 computers at home. One Linux Game Server, a Win7 Laptop and a Custom PC with XP. The XP gets used more despite the Win 7 laptop being hooked up to keyboard, mouse and 28" monitor while being used in the house. I like using Win 7 but it's still simpler to use and setup XP. Like Vista, Win 7 seems to lead you in circles and you end up getting a lot less done. In hiding more of the customizing setup features, they've destroyed the last remaining few bits of control we have in Windows XP! ..... LONG LIVE WINDOWS XP, cuz it just works and lets you customize and tinker without leading you on a wild goose chase!
i2fun@...9th Sep 2010 -
RE: Dell finally gives up on Windows XP
You shouldn't be so quick to judge. I would LOVE to ditch XP. In my profession, I am required to use software that WILL NOT run on Windows 7. Even if I could get it to run, the manufacturer will not support it. I am sure many others are in the same boat. Believe me, as soon as a compatible version is released I will be upgrading right away!
ctleng768th Sep 2010 -
So demand them to make a new version, or
@ctleng76... Find another company that offers something that does the same thing. If we hung on to every last thing, we would still be running DOS.
Snooki_smoosh_smoosh8th Sep 2010 -
What about running it via XP Mode..?
@ctleng76
Unless your business app is one of those that does stuff with extended graphics (like games), then there's really a good chance it would run just fine as such. It should satisfy your vendor's support requirements AND give you the ability to have a more modern OS.
Wolfie2K38th Sep 2010 -
RE: Dell finally gives up on Windows XP
@ctleng76
Think yourself lucky you can at least run your software on XP. There are some companies out there still having to run DOS machines to be able to run DOS only software to talk to old but expensive manufacturing equipment via RS232 ports.
And @JM1981, don't say they should upgrade their equipment to make it compatible with a new versions of windows as the kind of equipment I'm talking about would be way to expensive for them to keep upgrading it to support the latest version of windows.
NZJester8th Sep 2010 -
RE: Dell finally gives up on Windows XP
@ctleng76
Software such as what? I have heard it over and over about apps not running on Win7 but every app I have seen that was not designed for Windows 7 I got to work fine in 1 of two ways.
1. Run in compatibility mode.
2. If you have WindowsPro install XP mode.
Done and done. I use XP mode for my scanner because visioneer would not even support Vista even though it was only a 2 year old scanner when Vista was released. XP Mode saved that and a couple older apps that did not play so nicely.bobiroc8th Sep 2010
Talkback - Tell Us What You Think
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
Facebook Activity
