Microsoft could re-think plans to phase out its Windows XP operating system by June 30 if customers show they want to keep it but, so far, they have not, chief executive officer Steve Ballmer said.
"XP will hit an end-of-life. We have announced one. If customer feedback varies we can always wake up smarter but right now we have a plan for end-of-life for new XP shipments," Mr Ballmer told a news conference. Microsoft has announced that it will stop licensing Windows XP to computer makers and end retail sales by June 30.
Mr Ballmer said most retailers sold computers with Vista, the latest version of its Windows operating system, and most consumers were choosing to buy Vista.
Some consumers have complained they were unable to buy XP at retail stores, or as consumers. They say that in order to get XP they must buy their computers as small businesses.
"In the business environment, we still have customers who are buying PCs with XP" because information technology departments often have to work with old machines, he said.
Vista requires high-speed central processing units installed only in newer machines. Mr Ballmer was asked whether the company would appeal against an €899-million antitrust fine imposed by the European Commission in February.
"I really have nothing to say about that today, sorry," he said.
The company must decide by early next month whether to appeal to the European Court of First Instance against the fine, imposed because the Commission found Microsoft had charged rivals high prices to discourage software competition.
The court upheld a €497 million fine and other antitrust penalties against Microsoft in a landmark decision in September.
Mr Ballmer was speaking at a news conference to announce the establishment of an "innovation centre" in the Belgian city of Mons, near rival Google which has a data centre.
"XP will hit an end-of-life. We have announced one. If customer feedback varies we can always wake up smarter but right now we have a plan for end-of-life for new XP shipments," Mr Ballmer told a news conference. Microsoft has announced that it will stop licensing Windows XP to computer makers and end retail sales by June 30.
Mr Ballmer said most retailers sold computers with Vista, the latest version of its Windows operating system, and most consumers were choosing to buy Vista.
Some consumers have complained they were unable to buy XP at retail stores, or as consumers. They say that in order to get XP they must buy their computers as small businesses.
"In the business environment, we still have customers who are buying PCs with XP" because information technology departments often have to work with old machines, he said.
Vista requires high-speed central processing units installed only in newer machines. Mr Ballmer was asked whether the company would appeal against an €899-million antitrust fine imposed by the European Commission in February.
"I really have nothing to say about that today, sorry," he said.
The company must decide by early next month whether to appeal to the European Court of First Instance against the fine, imposed because the Commission found Microsoft had charged rivals high prices to discourage software competition.
The court upheld a €497 million fine and other antitrust penalties against Microsoft in a landmark decision in September.
Mr Ballmer was speaking at a news conference to announce the establishment of an "innovation centre" in the Belgian city of Mons, near rival Google which has a data centre.