Microsoft Not Ditching Vista Until At Least 2011

CWmike writes "Microsoft will not dump Vista when Windows 7 launches, and plans to keep selling it to computer makers, system builders, volume licensees and consumers at retail until at least January 2011, a Microsoft spokesman said, citing long-running policy. Earlier today, a Microsoft general manager hinted that the company might ditch Vista as soon as Windows 7 ships. He also said that support for all versions of Vista will end in April 2012. Neither is true, according to the company. Michael Cherry, an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, said, 'to try to stop Vista or make it unavailable, that would just draw attention... The truth is, few people will be likely to order it once Windows 7 is available.'"

Comments

Re:Millenium 2

[owlstead]

"I know I never heard of anyone buying Millenium after XP shipped."

I did, my computer illiterate aunt. Some time ago, after years of letting them simmer I fixed some parts of their computer. That'll teach 'm not to listen.

But the computer salesman was such a nice guy. Much better than the shop I was pushing. Well, to be fair, that computer was not worth XP. It was a match made by the devil.

2012

[Jamamala]

He also said that support for all versions of Vista will end in April 2012

End of the world prophecies in 2012 - coincidence? I think not.
Obviously Microsoft will only stop pushing Vista at the behest of the four horsemen.

Re:2012

[rubycodez]

that 2012 doom business is just a popular misinterpretation of Mayan prophecy. It's just the end of a cycle to be followed by another new one. Therefor 2012 will be the end of the Windows desktop and the beginning of the Long Year of the Linux desktop. Or something like that, I'm pretty sure a saw a Mayan glyph for a penguin on the doom prophecies...

.DE recognize the pain in the ane that's Vista

[Anonymous Coward]

The German pronunciation of this horrid MS Turdware rings true:

Microzoft 'Fister'

But what about their other great OS?

[David Gerard]

I'm appalled Computerworld doesn't mention Microsoft's greatest success ever, Windows ME. Just how long was the extended support for that operating system? They talk about Windows 98 as being succeeded by XP - just as if ME never existed! ME's many, many fans will be outraged at such an omission, and suspect they would treat Vista, Microsoft's second-greatest success ever, the same way.

And how about extended support for Microsoft's third-greatest success ever, Microsoft Bob? I think we should be told.

Downgrade options

[Faustust]

'Customers who purchase a PC with Windows 7 pre-installed will be allowed to downgrade to Vista," Francis said.' That's the hardest I've laughed in a while. Thanks Richard Francis!

Billy Goat

[CuteSteveJobs]

We should troll Microsoft by starting a 'Save Vista' campaign. Imagine the warm glow Steve and Bill would share on hearing it. It's almost too cruel. Almost.

Re:Billy Goat

[David Gerard]

(You inspirational bastard. Credit on post.)

With the release of Windows 7 set for October 23rd, Microsoft marketing marketer Richard Francis says computer manufacturers may not be able to ship Vista once Windows 7 is available.

Outrage at the news was rapid. Microsoft quickly backtracked, claiming it would remain available until at least 2011 ("we kept 98 support up for 18 months when XP was out"), but customers were not mollified by promises that Windows 7 buyers would be allowed to downgrade ("we call it an upgrade”) to Vista.

A "Save Vista" campaign has been organised by InfoWorld. "We detected a deep anxiety over Vista among technologists and consumers alike," said editor Galen Gruman. "We decided to do something about it, launching a petition drive to ask Microsoft to keep selling Vista after the planned October 23 end-of-sales date." The petition has already gathered over ten signatures (most recent signatories: L. Torvalds, S. Jobs, M. Shuttleworth).

"Just how long was extended support for Microsoft's greatest success ever, Windows ME? Microsoft talks about Windows 98 as being succeeded by XP — just as if ME never existed! ME's many, many fans will be outraged at such an omission, and we're afraid they'll treat Vista, Microsoft's second-greatest success ever, the same way.

"And how about extended support for Microsoft's third-greatest success ever, Microsoft Bob? By the wife of the founder, no less! I think we should be told."

Re:Makes sense

[dissy]

Nuclear weapons don't kill people, people do.

I'm pretty sure if you hang around nuclear weapons enough, you could very well get killed with no other humans being involved...

Re:FACT: Vista is fucking shit! MS doesnt care

[ConceptJunkie]

Why the hell cant you get it right microsoft? WHY?

Because obviously they hadn't had the luxury of your well-reasoned, thoroughly detailed, and above all, well-worded criticism. 'S obvious innit?

Ah, Vista

[hyades1]

Unmourned. Unwept. Perpetually left unloved because your ugly older sister XP always came across with the full release and a happy ending while you were still whining that you wanted another 2G of RAM to show the boy how pretty you were.

I'm sorry I could never be the user you wanted, Vista. I tried. I really, really tried. I even had Millennium on my system for a while, so I know I'm not a completely unreasonable task manager. You wanted too much from me. You wanted to be my Trophy OS...pretty...never doing a real job...pretty...profligate with my hard-earned RAM...pretty. It wasn't enough. I'm so very, very sorry. Your sister XP gave me that dirty smile, and threw my RAM back in my face and performed like a trapeze artist. I was lost, dear Vista. She did everything I wanted, and she never said no, and she just kept going and going and going.

I don't care too much that you're prettier...much prettier. In fact, I'll never tell her, but sometimes when she's happily multi-tasking away, I close my eyes and pretend she's you.

But there's something about her that makes her a magnet. Something you'll never understand. Even when she's making my old CPUnit, do things I thought it could never, ever manage, she doesn't just swallow. She gargles.

Re:Millenium 2

[Anonymous Coward]

"I know I never heard of anyone buying Millenium after XP shipped."

I did, my computer illiterate aunt.

Hey genius, it's "I have." I have heard of someone buying ME after XP shipped. Not I did heard of someone buying ME after XP shipped.

Unless you misplaced a comma and meant to say, "I did my computer illiterate aunt." Which all I have to say is 0_o That's some payment for working on her computer.

Re:Millenium 2

[theaveng]

>>>Windows 7 is basically Vista SP3 so it's the same core.

I think that diminishes the changes that have been made. XP == Windows NT 5. Vista == Windows NT 6. Windows 7 == Window NT 7. Each one is a different generation from the previous.

Re:Millenium 2

[WeblionX]

If by "features" you mean "lines of code forged by the devil himself," then yes. Or so I've heard.

Re:Millenium 2

[similar_name]

Yes, it reports its version as 6.1 for compatibility reasons. How many times does this need to be said?

They should make is 5.2, that would make it even more compatible. ;)