14 DAY TRIAL // With Windows Vista saturating the world and every sales channel, I was curious as to if I could still acquire Windows XP. And apparently you can. There's no problem whatsoever. Moreover, even Microsoft itself is selling Windows XP alongside Windows Vista. But enjoy it while you still can because this situation will not be prolonged much longer.
At the end of February 2007, I asked Microsoft why don't they simply declare Windows XP expired and truly focus on Windows Vista. Microsoft's Stephen Toulouse, senior program manager for the Trustworthy Computing Group said that XP was a significant leap in security, but that it was developed for a different threat landscape, without the benefits of SDL, and lacking the architectural advances of Vista, and that Microsoft is encouraging users to make the jump to Windows Vista.
January 29, 2008 is in fact the date when Windows XP will expire. This is the end date for Direct OEM and Retail License availability for Windows XP. Although two months after Windows Vista has hit the market you can still purchase XP, you will not be able to do so in February 2008.
The end date for System Builder License Availability is January 29, 2009. Microsoft informs that Windows XP will only be available through downgrade rights in Volume Licensing programs after the end of general availability.
The truth of the matter is that Microsoft sells an estimated 80% of its Windows operating system via OEMs. In this context, new PC pre-loaded with Windows is the main sales channel for Windows Vista. And it's rather hard to go into a store and find a PC preloaded with Windows XP, although Microsoft is still selling XP and Vista side by side via Windows marketplace.