Windows XP on the XO

Microsoft announced its intention of putting a version of Windows on the XO in 2006. In November 2007 Microsoft announced that it would be Windows XP, but that this would require substantial extra flash storage, apparently 2G extra.

Microsoft to Try Windows XP Out on OLPC in January Nancy Gohring, IDG News Service, Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Microsoft would also offer a $3 education software bundle, but all of its other software would be available only for purchase, without the right to source code. In contrast, users of the Linux-based XO will have access to more than 20,000 Free Software packages, including source code and the right to translate or otherwise modify any of it. A few packages may not fit on an XO, and a few will require modification to run. But the community can decide whether to make those modifications, and users will be able to expand their XOs with plug-in storage (flash cards or USB devices).

This combined product, an expanded XO with XP and the application bundle, will be in trials in January 2008, with full deployment planned for the second half of 2008. It will not be made available in the US or Canada. It will not be commercially available. All plans subject to change at any time.