XP gets SP3 update - but is it the last gasp for the OS?

Mcrosoft has released it’s much-anticipated Service Pack 3 for Windows XP, touting it as the last update for XP before it’s official demise in favour of it’s newer sibling, Windows Vista. But is it all over for the veteran OS?

At almost seven years old, many would think that the answer to that question is a resounding ‘YES’, but the public’s familiarity with the OS, along with a general dislike of Vista in the popular press may have given Microsoft pause for thought when it comes to finally retiring XP altogether.

Speaking of the withdrawal of XP for sale after June 30th, CEO Steve Ballmer hinted that Microsoft may reprieve the operating system should public demand warrant it. “XP will hit an end-of-life. We have announced one. If customer feedback varies we can always wake up smarter” he said during a news conference on Thursday.

Add to that the fact that Dell looks like it will continue to offer Windows XP after the deadline of June 30th by exercising ‘downgrade rights’ on their customers’ behalf (the ability to install an earlier version of Windows instead of the current version providing a current license is purchased) and it looks like XP might even manage to hang on until the much-talked about Windows 7 puts in an appearance around 2009/10.