Will Windows XP survive the release of Windows Vista? The answer is affirmative but it is also a question of nuances. According to Microsoft, Windows XP will survive the general availability of Windows Vista scheduled for consumer launch on January 29, 2007.

Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation 4.xx, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me), Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP SP1 are not as lucky, but

But Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition,Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Media Center Edition3 will be available up to 24 months following the general availability of Windows Vista. Namely, the end of January 2009.

However, the January 2009 end date is only available via System Builder License Availability. In the context of this licensing policy, system builders will be able to offer the Windows XP 12 months after the operating system will stop being available for retail.

Microsoft additionally informs that via Direct OEM and Retail Licenses, Windows XP will be available for a total of 12 months after Vista's official launch, or until January 29, 2008.

"Under the Support Lifecycle policy Windows desktop licenses are available for four years after general availability in all standard product distribution channels (e.g. direct OEM, System Builders, retail, and Volume Licensing programs via licenses or via downgrade rights). Licenses will continue to be available through downgrade rights available in Volume Licensing programs after end of general availability," revealed the Redmond Company.

As the existence of Windows XP is strictly dependent on the policies of the OEMs and of the system builders and the sales channels, the fact of the matter is that Microsoft will not permit the Vista and XP cohabitation. Although Microsoft will continue to support the license availability of XP due to the contractual terms of the Support Lifecycle policy, the Redmond Company will also shift the spotlight on Vista while pushing XP in the background and pulling it from the shelves.