Ballmer: Stay on Windows XP and You Will Face a Backlash

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is warning IT organisations that they risk provoking an end user backlash if they don't move off the XP operating system.

"If you deploy a four or five-year old operating system today, most people will ask their boss why the heck they don't have the stuff they have at home," the Microsoft CEO said.

[BulletToothtony]

this guy pissed me off too much

[meepmoopmeep]

MSFT will create a virus that will slowly wipe out any XP owners or older Windows OS

/conspiracy theory

:)

[iseven]

meep, i could totally see that kinda stuff happening. Could someone make a virus to kill IE6 ALREADY?!?!?!

[BrianC6234]

I think I better start upgrading all of my users at my office. I just can't decide on which yet. Should I go with OS X 10.5 or 10.4? Maybe I'll see if Linux can do what we need. I sure don't want a backlash from users because they're stuck with Windows XP.

[XxZxX]

surprisingly 4 and 5 years old Operating system is more stable and won't have any problem with old corporate software that we are using. In short, we like to keep it simple stupid. Why upgrade if it's aint broken for now. Backlash, That's just a trend you trying to create. We all know Corporates and Company are very slow at upgrading. Why? Home stuff cant crash everyday no problem. In IT, crashing software = losing productivity. running out excuses to push your OS, ballmer?

[morganfell]

"...most people will ask their boss why the heck they don't have the stuff they have at home," the Microsoft CEO said.

You tell your employees 1 of 2 things.

1 - Because if your home PC dies you might lose some family photos. But if the work PC dies you lose the business. That's a high price to pay for a broken file system and some flashy icons.

or

2 - We don't have the same thing at work that you have at home because we are not smart enough to run Linux.

[thebudgetgamer]

dont think he wont neither

:)

[thebudgetgamer]

but serious he will punch you in the face

:)

[thats_just_prime]

That title is pure flamebait.

I doubt anyone ask their boss that. Plus it not uncommon for business to use old software and computer those things cost money and small business cant afford it and large ones are to greedy to pay for it.

[XxZxX]

large one are greedy?? It clear shows you have no understanding of how a corporate IT works. Upgrading software in company not only cost a fortune, it also forced all employees to retrain the skills and sometimes it is just not worth the upgrade, in efficiency wise.
So thats just prime, no worry. take your time, you will understand this when you grow up.

[BrianC6234]

"steve balmer is gonna personaly go around punching people in the face it they still use xp"

I hope he does. I could use a few billion dollars I'd get when I sue him.

[ThanatosDMC]

Hhmmm... something that will make all the old OS users regret worldwide in a matter of seconds.... hmmmm... i doubt it's a virus so it must be Chuck Norris!

It'll happen in an instant, the seconds are just there just because he's thinking of which side of everybody's face is he going to roundhouse.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Eddie20101]

People wouldn't be sticking to Windows XP if they had done a better job with Vista, and now instead of fixing Vista, they make Windows 7 and expect people to pay for a new operating system.

There is a trend here, seems to me they did the same thing with Window Me. replaced a working OS with a half working OS (Windows Me) and then created a better OS to replace the half working OS.

When do people wise up and decide what is good for them, instead of big Business (Microsoft) doing d the decision making for them. I will not be buying window 7 (Microsoft cash cow)

[paul-p1988]

Dam rite he, i mean i, will roundhouse people who still use XP. The Chuck only uses open source software, and will roundhouse kick you, run around the world, then punch you on the other side of the head in just under 1 second if you dont use open source. And dont think i wont!!

Steve Ballmer, you wanna try to bury me? MY BEARD WILL F***IN BURY YOU WITHOUT THE GIRLY CHAIR THROWING!!

[Alcon]

After Vistas flop, he is kinda desperate that this one will do well lol

[Mr_Bun]

As a consumer, there is nothing I like more than to be threatened by the corporation that developed the product that I currently use

[Anon1974]

..and we just got Windows XP on our systems last year. After all the testing that needs to go on in the first place to make sure XP was compatible with the rest of our systems, there's no way in hell we'll upgrade to Windows 7.

As for facing a backlash when people ask "Why aren't we using the same operating system as I use at home"?

Recently they started issuing laptops that came with Vista pre-installed and we've had nothing but problems, nothing works as it should and most are left paralyzed if they try to do any work from home. The only thing people are asking is "How do we get XP on these blasted things."

[pixelsword]

...and quit trying to be Terry Bradshaw's twin.

[Ghoul]

Microsoft announced yesterday that it will issue discounted upgrade licenses to customers moving from Windows XP to Windows 7.

??? WTF i DEMAND i mean it I DEMAND a refund for this crap called vista i payed money for.

[majorsuave]

Basically he says, stop using XP.
Install Vista.
In 6 months we'll tell you Vista is broken, install Win7.

That or he means, Install Linux.

[Beast_Master]

I am an IT guy, and I have never seen Vista installed on a machine and it not have constant problems. more Blue screens of death than ever before. Plus it is so incompatible with so much corporate software I have never seen it implemented by an entire organization. Ballmer needs to STF Up and start making reliable products.

[ChickeyCantor]

@brain,

if all they use is Microsoft office or something simular go for linux and download OPEN OFFICE 3. It can do everything MS office can and its FREE.
It will save you guys sh/tloads of money.

[MasFlowKiller]

so they want companies to move to and unstable operation System, do they want the rest of their companies to stat using linux?

vista does not know how to handle CPU resource.

currently using fedora 10 until windows 7 but if windows 7 is just Vista with patches then back to Fedora for me

[UnwanteDreamz]

IT departments will never trust your new software, and this is why.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[aftrdark21]

I can't help but think of those Stride chewing gum commercials. Maybe Microsoft will start doing commercials like that...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Upgrade from XP or ELSE... LOL

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

I don't know why there is so much Windows Vista hate. I used Vista for a while now, and it has it quirks, but overall it made me so much more efficient at finding stuff.

For a regular user (non-techy) Windows Vista is a huge improvement sans the technical requirement.

Windows Vista has increased usability significantly and is considerably better than XP. It is just the haters that are afraid of change and recite stupid blog articles that give no reason for why Vista is poor. It really is for the most part a perception problem.

[Nonsense 4 Gamers]

I think the Onion New Network did a story on Ballmer last year. They started it off by saying:

"In other news, 27 people were bruised when a man went on a punching spree."

They didn't specifically mention Steve Ballmer, but I think it's safe to assume he was the perpetrator ;)

[The Lazy One]

the streak of taking a reasonable quote from a microsoft executive, and turning it into something offensive or aggressive.

[WaitStation 3]

personally, I like Windows 7 but I don't think that comment was necessary to get XP users to switch for most users right now are impressed with Windows 7 and what it could do

pictures are worth a 1000 words. Stop putting those sweaty pictures of Balmer up, it's disgusting

[Sunny_D]

i wish i could change to a mac. but i guess i will stay with good ol' XP until the backlash come and gets me! (:

[Wife Of The Bad Guy]

Release an unstable OS and YOU will face backlash

[Theoneneo81]

that is why mac is gaining in the pc market share.

[somekindofmike]

I don't know why people disagreed with you,

Apple OS X is gaining market share and Microsoft Windows is loosing Market share.

I am one of those who switched about 6 years ago, and the reason was unreliable OS so 0.000000001% of the statistic is me!

[kosovo]

Ballmer is a joke!

[GiantEnemyLobster]

Hes just in the need of some deodorant. Probably should go with antiperspirant.

[sinned47]

is that all sweat?

[Saladfax]

Sadly yes. He has a reputation for being... energetic.

[Lord Anubis]

that's the result of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Kaneda]

The sad thing is people actually applaused for that.

[Leio]

Have you seen the Zune-guy?? Microsoft have many extraordinary fans

[UnwanteDreamz]

That was so painful to watch.

[Saladfax]

The only way they'll ever get any loyalty back is to make Vista 2.0 (otherwise known as Windows 7) either free or heavily discounted for current Vista users.

Of course Ballmer is Satan and would never do such a thing.

[Highatus]

I believe he should keep his mouth shut until MSFT can make a reliable OS without forcing people to buy/upgrade components.

Last time i checked an OS is supposed to run interior programs installed within the OS not bog them down in order to run the OS itself.

Large companies aren't going to convert to an OS that requires so much to run and keep maintained when they themselves require so little to run their office software, and can do so on an already (mostly)stable OS. If i were an IT i wouldn't want the friggin headache.

[no-spin]

in shoving new crap by force on unwanting costumers,
MS is the equal of $hit

[trancefreak]

some major corps still use windows 2000.

[ChilliDemon]

I was on Windows 2000 at work until my PC started to die before Christmas. I requested a new one .... with XP on it. And after Christmas I replaced my old home laptop with a brand new one .... with XP on it.

[Reshun]

I like my XP..

[Pleth]

A salad dodger version of Jim Cramer from that Mad Money show on CNN. Always 2 nanoseconds away from full cardiac arrest.

[callahan09]

MSNBC. But I agree with you nonetheless.

[Pleth]

MS will simply outdate SQL. Mix up the 1's and 0's enough and companies can stay on thier XP intranet all they want. Try and upload to an FTP or remotely and dun dun dun....Teal Screen Of Death! (Blue is so passe')

[Godmars290]

If Windows 7 isn't all that MS promises, the final version comes up with issues that don't show up in the beta version, then the only choice will be Linux or some other OS. With XP suddenly failing for no good reason and any problems with W7, MS's credibility will be non-existent.

[Theoneneo81]

Why dont you fix the piece of crap that is known as vista or a beter idea why didnt you just relase windows 7 first insdead of vista since you knew it was better in the first place.

this is why im staying on mac atleast i know i always have a stable OS all the time.

[Obama]

I am still using xp, and have no plans to upgrade to a window 7 yet.

I wonder if google will come out with an os..I will definitely use that.

[Godmars290]

Is what he's saying is that Windows 7 will be so welcomed by the private consumer that business that continue to use XP will start to fall behind early W7 adopters?

Sorry, but wasn't it people taking Windows home from where they worked that put MS in the position it is today?

And what exactly are the major leaps that W7 is suppose to have over XP again? Thought it just looked prettier and wasn't as much a co*kup as Vista.

[DJ]

Businesses want to stay on XP because that's what almost every employee has at home. It's familiar, stable, and easy to use. Plus you don't need a $1000+ PC to run it properly.

[Hitmaker]

DEVELOPERS

[Cool Hwhip]

...SHOWER THEM ALL IN LUXURIOUS GIFTS!!!!!

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

What IT guy in his right mind is running on Windows Vista right now???

[evrfighter]

i moved from xp to vista one on pc and 7 beta on another. Tell me what's wrong with it?

I've used xp for years and didn't have a problem switching to ultimate. However I didn't pay for it as I was able to get a legit copy from a friend.

The majority of Vista's problems lies with M$ telling ppl it'll run fine with 1gb of ram. They would have been fine if 2gb was made the minimal system requirement seeing as how 4gb of ram is selling for around $30-$40 that shouldn't be a problem for ppl. I myself run it with 4gb I have 2 more 2gb sitting in a box waiting for the 64 bit edition of 7.

[Senden]

God what a moron! Seriously.. in one corner you have windows xp, stable, easy to use and can run on a variety of systems (I even managed to get it to work on an old 486 lol!)In the other corner you have a complete resource hog that requires a very good computer to run it proficiently... I know which one i'd go with.

Also from a company's point of view, why upgrade what doesn't need fixing? For a lot of companies, upgrading to vista would mean being forced to upgrade all the company computers. Not only that, because vista is so different from xp, they'd have to retrain all their staff in how to use vista.

Microsoft's incompetancy astounds me sometimes.. well you know how the saying goes, if you have an idiot, promote him!

[somekindofmike]

Judging by Microsofts recent track record you'd be mad to plan to upgrade to Windows 7 at least until it's been out long enough to see how good / reliable it really is in the real world.

First adopters are basically guinea pigs who have to suffer all the unseen problems with early microsoft OS releases'

[somekindofmike]

Also wait...

Isn't Windows XP the majority OS used in homes?

in that case we should all be using XP and never face changing to a system being used by the minority or WE WILL FACE BACKLASH!!!!

[devilhunterx]

Darwin's missing link found!

[callahan09]

!!! Good one. I actually let out a big "HA!" when I read your comment.

[lokiroo420]

Amy good gorilla. Ugly gorillas, ugly, go away.

[chkaiban]

Someone must tell Microsoft's monkey that even the end users at their homes are using or reverting to Windows XP because their new so called operating system (Vista) sucks big time

[oldsnayke]

I have to agree - Vista sucks.

[sak500]

wrong area

[Gobuz]

Basically he's saying buy windows 7 or I'm fired.

[tudors]

Windows 7 should be free or heavily discounted for those who bought Vista, I am not anti microsoft like some on this site but they are trying to pretend Vista never happened, it's there mess so they should fix it.

Update:

"Microsoft recently revealed that it will move directly from beta 1 of Windows 7 to release candidate, implying a quicker release of the new OS than initially expected. Additionally, Microsoft announced yesterday that it will issue discounted upgrade licenses to customers moving from Windows XP to Windows 7"

So there are discounts then, but it does not mention Vista, the artcle is a little bit of a flamebait, not as bad as some made out.

[frictionini]

I might turn off the auto-update for now knowing M$...

[da7dal]

Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers

I LOVE DEVELOPERS!!!

[LeShin]

...because in this economic climate, spending money on a new OS and ALSO having to buy computers that can run it without any problems would make a lot of financial sense for companies.

lol

[Rai]

he looks like an asshole everytime i see a picture of him..like the penguin in batman

[Vip3r]

This must be his newer advertisement to this.

[ultimolu]

Yeah, well f*ck you too Ballmer. We still use XP at my workplace and I still use it. I have every right to keep using it.

[sak500]

@Shame

Tsk Tsk Shane, dont talk about Ultimolu like that. She' droid like u.

[ultimolu]

And you're a bot who likes to take it from behind. :D

Please, don't insult me unless you can actually make me cry. Bot insults bounce off of me harmlessly because as usual, they make no sense.

[knightoftears]

I can't stand that pudgy bastard! Buy this OS, buy that one. They keep the flaws of a past OS in the public eye so you think they are offering you a better OS with the new one, which is just a name change of the most recent with some features changed. XP will cause a backlash?...hmmm, I think that translates into VISTA. Why do you think they are releasing Windows 7 so shortly after Vista came out?

[Shane Kim]

wow, look at that fat sweaty pig. Nowhere the in the same league as me (Shane Kim)

[Lord Shuhei Yoshida]

lol

[funktion_d]

What an empty threat... i think someone's a bit upset, and that's it. I'm auctally kind of amazed that they're so upset about their own operating system continuing to be popular.

Exactly, why would anyone ask their company why they're running XP still? I think as the numbers show XP is still popular in homes too (we know vista had troubles penetrating that) . the Only reason Vista sold is partly because it was preinstalled and forced on people.

Thank you for reminding me how great Linux is ... again.

[Pennywise]

This guy is on speed or something... Look at him, what a sweaty monster!

[legionx]

take note, this is what you look like when that condom full of coke bursts in your stomach.

[Pennywise]

HAHAHA!! What a mule.

[Alcon]

They know people prefer XP, so why don't they release something like XP second generation (or someting like that). If people like and trust the original XP (they are used to it, don't want to change and find out everything has changed)they'll be more inclined to go with the "new" XP (same name means people trust it more and have confidance it will be just like their old XP but better).
By the way, wich company likes to loose time and money to by a new OS, and have to learn to use it...that's just conter productive

I mean if you are so desperate to sell a new OS, maybe thats the best solution...

[gamfreak]

fvck you Ballmer...

Mac here i come....

[dukadork2]

this is exactly the kinda crap that made me go buy a mac.
it's not only crap, they force you to buy it and spend your money to try to destroy the competition! no, you really have to be the dumbest ass to give into that sh!t as a consumer, just like xbollox360.

i used to play pc games a lot: pc gamers today are M$ c0ck suckas.
F@CK pc gaming unless it's under linux.

macbook pro + PS3 = i'm happy
and once you go mac, there's no going back ;)

[legionx]

you would think with all the windows sku's this guy could afford antiperspirant.

[dkgshiz]

Vista flopped. So now they have to go with windows 7. Which is identical to vista. No one is going to upgrade to windows 7 when vista has only been out for 2 years! Its just going to back fire on them.

[dkgshiz]

Hes so sweaty and fat.

[peeps]

people use xp more than vista because xp is good and vista isn't necissarily what they want. I use vista at home because when i bought my pc it was as cheap, if not cheaper than xp so decided to go with vista. It's fine but i certainly don't find myself complaining to my boss that my laptop only has xp on it haha

[greg_for_sony]

Just get a mac i did.

[ChickeyCantor]

I will upgrade IF i get a new pc.
Untill then im not gonna spend 600 euro's for an OS.

Also VISTA on my LAPTOP scared the sh/t out of me.
Blue screens and sh/t. Lucky i'm good with fixing these damn things.

Screw VISTA .
Ubuntu-Studio on my Lappy FTW

[juanvan]

Humm I will use XP untill there is a Reason to upgrade..
Reason being everything works the way it use to on the old PC.
So go ahead get mad - I might upgrade to Win 7 I might wait longer..

[Enigma_2099]

.. and then they'll promptly reply... "When I finished installing the OS I have at home, I found out it didn't work nearly as well as the OS we're using here. You're lucky..."

[dredgewalker]

Microsoft doesnt need to force any company to upgrade if Windows 7 is stable. I doubt that Ballmer is really forcing anyone cause that would cause them to lose more customers considering there are other alternatives.

[Lykon]

and leave the disgusting world of M$ behind entirely. M$ suck elderly mens unwashed anus.

[Azures]

From an IT standpoint he's right, Vista should be implemented and probably will start rolling out within the next few months. Already seeing transitions to Office 07. This guy always seems to come off kinda douchy though. Vista should have absolutely no more issues than XP from a business standpoint, it's simply amazing how much grief a security check implemented for the average stupid computer user's safety turned out such backlash. That's what you get when you try to help the hopeless.

[proArchy]

but dude, the security check WAS poorly implemented. It runs it EVERY time you do certain actions, regardless of whether you've done them 20 times before or its the first time. I do understand there are slightly dense people out there that need their hands held (the average user for one), but there is no proper way to customize the check, its really only ON or OFF.

[Azures]

Yea...fine? So what, turn it off, not exactly a big deal. The only problems with vista are the UAC and poor 64-bit driver support, which you can put part of the blame on microsoft for. The first problem you could solve in 5 seconds, and the second has been a non-issue for months.

Nothing is wrong with vista. And quite frankly if you're reliant on your OS for security you're already behind in that fight. Start at your portals to the net. (firefox w/ noscript ftw)

[proArchy]

No, I totally agree. Firefox is far more effective at avoiding problems than vista security. The problem with the implementation Microsoft chose is that to the majority of PC users its completely counter intuitive. Most corporations consider the 'average consumer' to be dumb as bricks, its sad but true. OS's are not designed for people who know how to use them. So when prompted with the security message at first most average users are apprehensive to click 'continue' and instead have to ask for help or just hit cancel. After several times of this they either get tired of asking for help and click continue every time it prompts them to because they figure its ok, or get frustrated and turn it off. Either way it becomes an ineffective tool to the user. MS should have figured this out before Vista was released, as well as the driver compatibility issues.

[proArchy]

Wow, a new kind of fear mongering. Like employees are going to pick up their pitchforks and torches and go lynch mob stylee all over middle management because the have an operating system that actually works decently. If Win7 works like it should, you won't even need to advertise it (or scare people into it). People were all about updating to the next OS, but Vista sucked hard. Upgrading was a beast; the only way to get it working properly was to buy a "Vista PC" or build one specifically, and if you ask me, system requirements were way too much. Here's hoping Win7 addresses these issues.

[PS3thedestroyer]

The guy in the picture looks like a mad man, he's sweating like the kind of biatch the mart will never pump in his lifetime.

[SKUD]

WOW that kind of perspiration cant be healthy.......

[Lykon]

Jesus wept how embarrassing , i beleive that it is drug induced , possibly cocain or crack, what a fat ugly sweaty low life that man is, i hope he dies.

[cmrbe]

he is the CEO of one of the richest company in the world.

[yomoma11115555]

This website is super gay!! you people need lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

[OhMyGandhi]

I find this funny because
my new computer came with vista.

In two days, I was already full of angst.
so I wiped the hard drive and installed xp.

take that balmer.

[NipGrip]

Is get rid of Steve Ballmer. He's just such a negative person to be speaking on a companies behalf.

[MehmetAlperTR]

fu...:)k you MS you suck ass

[dar36]

what world is this guy living in. will windows7 be free? my company upgraded to xp only 4 years ago. my company has over 20 branches in the US alone. the way the economy is right now windows7 will be a hard sell.

[FrankenLife]

If people just want to use what they have at home, then wouldn't they want XP. All the people I know that downgraded to Vista deleted it and reinstalled XP. All the people that got new PC's replaced Vista with XP. They have XP at home, and XP at work, so what is the problem.

Personally I'm rocking OS X so I don't have to worry about being forced to use a crappy OS

[andron]

I am happily using Linux Mint exclusively on my laptop for a over a year now thanks to Vista...

[RedVsBlue]

I will stick with XP. Because if say Windows 7 does eventually get popular all of the hackers & spyware people will eventually leave XP & move on to the next big thing

[Shadowstar]

Hm. Seems to me that threatening customers-- and this sounds rather threatening to me-- is a pretty good way to provoke a backlash...

[OhMyGandhi]

I also firmly believe that if they mention anything about new "glossy neat looking interfaces", then they'd truly bite the bullet.

That's what they did with vista.
Hell, I could give a crap about looks,

if it can run blazing fast and boot quick, I could have the windows 98 lnterface.

It just seems like Ballmer and Steve Jobs are merging in their thinking.