Microsoft has announced a new licensing program designed to let users of illegitimate versions of Windows XP Pro upgrade to fully licensed copies.

This latest move seems to indicate that Microsoft will support its Windows XP OS for the foreseeable future. Weeks ago, Microsoft offered XP as a downgrade option for Vista users. This was followed by an announcement that it will extend selling Windows XP until the end of June 2008.

Under this new licensing program, software resellers can offer a volume licensing contract that will allow customers to replace illegitimate versions with legitimate versions of Windows XP Pro.

But here’s the catch.

Microsoft told Information Week that to qualify “Users of illegitimate versions of Windows XP Pro must pledge to use only genuine Microsoft software going forward and agree to have their software infrastructure audited. Once they bring undocumented copies of Windows XP Pro into compliance, program participants will have the option of enrolling the software into Microsoft’s Software Assurance program — which offers upgrades and support for an additional fee.”

Microsoft did not disclose the cost of licenses under the new licensing program. However, the company has offered its resellers a cut on license fees they generate.

If Microsoft wants this new licensing program to succeed, it should not rely solely on resellers to push the program, it also needs to make the program attractive to users of illegitimate copies. Which at the moment, it doesn’t appear to be doing.

Related:

Microsoft: Vista sales strong, adoption rate double that of Windows XP

Microsoft updates IE 7, drops WGA validation requirement for Windows XP

Genuine Microsoft Windows for refurbished PCs program begins

Microsoft to limit hardware of low-cost Windows XP laptops

Acer boss: entire industry disappointed by Vista

Entry was posted on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007 at 11:47 pm under Microsoft.  Print This Post

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