As of today, October 22, PC makers are no longer allowed by Microsoft to preload Windows XP on new PCs. That means no more new XP Home netbooks should be hitting the shelves.

Read More at All About Microsoft

Just as an aside, as it's contained within the article; Be careful with the latest Windows Update Windows Live Essentials 2011. That it doesn't install all sorts of unnecessary rubbish to your machine.

I chose to run a Custom Install so that I could de-select the programs that I didn't want to be installed.

Speaking of Windows Live, I’ve gotten notes from a few readers who are not happy that Microsoft has decided to make the new Windows Live Essentials 2011 bundle something that it is delivering via its Windows Update service. Readers said they consider things like Windows Live Movie Maker, Windows Live Mesh, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Photo Gallery and the other elements of the suite as nice-to-have add-ons — not something that should be pushed to them via Microsoft’s service which is used primarily to deliver security-focused updates.

But Microsoft is doing just that. Starting October 19, Windows Vista and Windows 7 users who use Windows Update are being offered the Windows Live Essentials 2011 as a “Recommended Update” if they already have any of the included Windows Live software programs installed. Windows Update users who don’t have any of the Windows Live Essentials programs installed on their computers, will also see the update, but it will be marked as “Optional.”

Edited October 24, 201015 yr by Jiu-Jitsu

I suppose XP has to eventually become obsolete as have all the old Windows O/s's.

I recently puchased a ne PC in LOS loaded with Genuine and activated Win 7. I do not know if it is just my installation or general but I have had the dickes of a time with USB device recognitions and accessibilty. Have downloaded [many times] all new drivers for printers, ext HDD and mobile devices but it seems the only way to sort the access [albeit temporary as within a short period the problems reoccur] is to completely turn off the PC and physically remove the power cord for at least 5 minutes!!

I've looked at many sites and it seems that it it not unusual with Win 7 both 32 & 64 bit installations.

My point is that surely Microsoft should ensure a new O/S is 100% before they stop supporting & supplying an older "working" version.

Will Win 7 go the same way as Vista??

Just interested if others have had the same challenge [or is it just me and a minority of others]as in any case there is no way WE the customer will change Microsoft's policies!!!

Cheers

Win7 is best os yet!, no usb issues for me! I was so impressed with it, I upgraded all my pcs!

does Windows 7 work well on netbooks? I've got a legit XP and don't want to get rid of it if 7 is going to slow it down.

^much faster w/Win7 on a netbook.

^much faster w/Win7 on a netbook.

Only in the beginning.... it gets worse very quickly...

mine is still lightening fast after a year!!!!

mine is still lightening fast after a year!!!!

since when is speed of light relative?

Edited October 24, 201015 yr by siamect

mine is still lightening fast after a year!!!!

I have Windows 7 Ultimate on my MSI Wind netbook for probably a year. No performance hit as Windows 7 optimizes files and disk sector locations automatically.

Ok, so if I decide to upgrade, what version of Win 7 would be best for a netbook? Is there any performance difference between (say) the starter edition and home premium? It's a HP Mini 5140 I bought last year (Atom 1.6, 2 gigs of RAM, 7200 RPM hard disk).

Ok, so if I decide to upgrade, what version of Win 7 would be best for a netbook?

You can look through this to see what fits you. A Guide to the Editions

Windows 7 Home Premium

This is the entry-level edition for most consumers. It has the full Aero interface, Windows Media Center, and a few interesting surprises depending on your hardware. zdnet