Windows XP to get stay of execution?

The clock is ticking for retail, enterprise and OEM sales of Windows XP but if the rumor mill--and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer--are to be believed, the plucky OS might just be sticking around a bit longer. Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows recently published an email that was supposedly penned by a Dell representative, which con tainted the following tidbit: "Please be aware that Dell will continue to offer XP Pro preloaded through 2012. We will ship XP Professional on Dell Optiplex, Latitude and Precision machines with a free upgrade path to Windows Vista." Hmm. Meanwhile, Ballmer was recently heard to remark that "If customer feedback varies, we can always wake up smarter," whatever that means. Could Windows XP get a last-minute stay of execution from Microsoft? The company's customers sure seem to hope so.

For more on Windows XP:
- see this CNET article
- and this article from the SuperSite for Windows