Microsoft's Windows XP operating system will become increasingly difficult for consumers and small businesses to get hold of as from today.
Microsoft will no longer be providing OEM licences to manufacturers, such as Dell and HP, which means that the Windows XP operating system will not be sold pre-installed, once current stocks sell out.
Firms will be able to downgrade to Windows XP from Windows Vista and they will be able to buy licences for the operating system through Microsoft's volume licensing programmes.