How to keep Windows XP after June 30

Our most beloved operating system is packing its bags for the big switch off. At the end of June 2008, Microsoft will stop offering support for Windows XP. I am sure the news could not come at a better time, after all we have been through a lot together with Windows XP. The average computer user has spent over 8000 hours using Windows XP and is the system most used to the connect us to the Internet. If you are not prepared to go down the path of uprading to Windows Vista, what are you options after the cut-off date other than switching to Mac OS X or Linux? Getting Support for Windows XP Problems There is some hope that Windows will continue to offer support for the numerous technical issues that users face everyday with XP, until 2014. However, support may just be the bare minimum and difficult to get hold of. If you have a major problem you may want to consult a good Internet tech forum or Geeksquad for a solution. Chances are that if you have an issue, other users will have a similar issue for which there is a good chance for a solution rather than consulting Microsoft tech support. Options for XP on New PC It will still be possible to purchase a PC with XP installed after the deadline despite Microsoft categorically stating that this will not be possible after the cut-off date. Smart vendors who have an inventory of unused licenses, and same goes for other retailers, will still be able to sell you machine with XP preinstalled. Switching Operating Systems Downgrade rights are the second way for you to get your hands on a new computer with XP. If a manufacturer has downgrade rights from Microsoft, they'll be able to sell you a PC that started on Vista, but which they downgraded to XP before they sold it to you. If this is the case, you'll be supplied with the discs for XP and it's drivers, as well as the same discs for Vista, so you can re-upgrade at a later date if you decide to. Dell have confirmed that they will make this option open to customers, but it only lasts out until January 31st next year. 'Limited Hardware Capabilities' Another way that you can get your hands on XP is by purchasing a PC that has 'limited hardware capabilities,' a term Microsoft has coined for machines that cannot handle Vista. These are basic machines that do not have the processing power, laptops such as the Asus EEE for example, that run slow processors and have limited RAM. However, this is only until June 2010. Not the End of the Road for XP Windows XP still has many more years ahead of it, even if Microsoft wants everyone to upgrade to Vista or its successor. XP support is likely to extend well into the next decade allowing us enough time to get used to the idea.