Windows XP preloads no longer allowed on new computers

October 22 is a pretty special date for PC makers, as it marks the day where they are no longer allowed by Microsoft to preload Windows XP on new machines. Netbooks were in fact the last category of PCs that Microsoft allowed XP preloads to exist, but two years ago, Microsoft informed OEMs that October 22, 2010 is the day when nobody could pre-install Windows XP Home on new netbooks. Of course, there is still a way to get around this, at least until 2015, as XP downgrades in theory can still be performed till then. Windows 7 might have sold a ton since its release, but if you want to know what staying power is like, just take a look at Windows XP.