Windows XP allowed to live again

Per BBC News, Microsoft has moved the January 31, 2009 deadline for PC makers to obtain Windows XP licenses to May 30, 2009. Microsoft has previously extended XP's availability for netbooks until 2010.

Windows XP was originally set to be discontinued on January 30, 2008 to pave the way for Vista. But the sudden surge of low-cost netbooks, of which a significant volume use Windows alternatives such as Linux, forced Microsoft to offer XP at a discounted price to protect its market share.

Vista's replacement, Windows 7, is due to be launched late next year.