Despite of the fact that Microsoft Windows Vista operating system (OS) is slowly but surely gaining popularity among customers, there are a lot of those who still need stable, predictable and high performance of Windows XP. Especially for them, Microsoft said on Friday that it would offer Windows XP for some more time.

Microsoft is extending availability of Windows XP editions among original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and retail channels for an additional five months to June 30, 2008. In addition, the company will continue to offer Windows XP Starter Edition in emerging markets where it is currently available for the rapidly growing class of hardware-constrained ultra-low cost PCs until June 30, 2010.

“While we’ve been pleased with the positive response we’ve seen and heard from customers using Windows Vista, there are some customers who need a little more time to make the switch to Windows Vista. So we’re responding to feedback we have gotten from our OEM partners that some customers will benefit by extending availability of Windows XP,” said Mike Nash, corporate vice president, Windows product management to learn more about this decision.

Microsoft Windows Vista has been criticized for instabilities, high-end hardware requirements, poor drivers and other factors that may compromise user experience and, consequently, reduce performance of employees. But the most significant problem for Microsoft when it comes to pushing Windows Vista is the lack of tangible benefits the new operating system has in terms of productivity or usage model.

“With more than 60 million licenses sold as of this summer, Windows Vista is on track to be the fastest-selling operating system in Microsoft’s history,” Mr. Nash added, noting that the number of PCs and other machines sold on the market is approximately double from what it was when Windows XP launched.