Channel can sell XP until 2009

Microsoft has given the channel a reprieve: an extra year to switch to Windows Vista.

The company is ending its Windows XP availability to OEMs and retailers Jan. 31, 2008, but the channel will be able to buy that operating system through January 2009, according to Microsoft’s license availability roadmap.

Microsoft launched XP in late 2001. This year’s Vista launch marked the company’s longest gap between new operating systems.