Microsoft to keep XP alive until 2010 but only for Eee PCs

Microsoft Thursday confirmed swirling rumors by announcing that it is extending the availability of Windows XP Home Edition until mid-2010 for a fast-emerging class of tiny, cheap laptops led by the Asus Eee.

But despite calls for Microsoft to offer a newgeneral reprieve for XP users, the company reiterated that June 30 remains the cutoff date for hardware makers and retailers to install XP on new computers other than the low-cost laptops.

Users can continue to use the Home or Professional editions of XP, which Microsoft introduced in October 2001, indefinitely, although Microsoft will discontinue free live and warranty-based technical support next April. Security fixes will continue to be free after that date. Extended support for XP, which costs users per call or incident, will continue until April 2014.