EU heat could spur interim XP. (cover story)

MICROSOFT Corp. 081466849 MSFT

The article reports that the rollout of Microsoft Corp.'s next major version of Windows has been pushed back to late 2006 in large part by a two-punch combination of newly found security vulnerabilities and the impending disposition of sanctions expected from the European Union. As a result, concern is growing among Microsoft customers, especially those that have signed Software Assurance volume license agreements with the Redmond, Washington, software developer contracts that may expire before the new version of Windows, called "Longhorn," ships. To address those concerns, Microsoft is working on an interim Windows client release, known as "XP Reloaded," which is expected to ship next year, according to company officials. Microsoft is also considering an interim Windows Server release next year, officials said. While declining to comment on announced products, Bob Muglia, senior vice president of Microsoft's Windows Server division, told that the company is considering interim upgrades for Windows. But while the company is crafting an interim plan for customers, the future of its product packaging is less certain, as legal battles overseas continue.