Dell Axing Windows XP Shipments This Month

Windows 7 has been out for over a year and it looks like Dell is the first manufacturer to announce the end of XP shipments.

Dell yesterday announced that it would halt shipments of XP computers later this month, just a few weeks ahead of the October deadline for all manufacturers. A Dell representative blogged about the move yesterday afternoon and said that in preparation for Microsoft's October 22 cut-off date, Dell will stop offering XP as an option for customers in September.

"Per Microsoft, only qualified end users meeting the Custom Image requirements will be able to get a new system with factory-preinstalled Windows XP Professional, XP Home, & XP Tablet products after October 22, 2010. This means that OEMs must stop the shipment of ALL XP orders on this date.

To ensure customers receive their XP orders prior to the October 22, 2010 deadline, Dell will begin removing XP as an option in September. There will be three options for your IT Staff to consider: (1). Complete your migration to Windows 7. Dell offers several services that can assist you with compatibility testing and deployment (2). Use the XP media to Hand Install XP onsite (3). Incorporate CFI services to assist your XP image loads. Please ensure that your organization has selected a strategy and that your account executive is fully aware of how you want to proceed."

Dell will continue Windows XP driver support until December 2012.

Click here to read the full post.