{
  "id": 16475729,
  "title": "Windows XP debuted 25 years ago today",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/windows-xp-debuted-25-years-ago-today",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-25T12:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Hardware",
    "slug": "tom-s-hardware",
    "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/windows-xp-debuted-25-years-ago-today-microsofts-biggest-launch-since-95-was-its-first-consumer-os-to-remove-the-dos-underpinnings"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On this day in 2001, Windows XP made its debut in the retail market, marking Microsoft's most extravagant and grandiose launch event since the release of Windows 95. The occasion was overshadowed by the tragic events of 9/11, forcing Microsoft to alter its planned launch slogan from 'Prepare to Fly' to 'Yes You Can'. Despite the somber atmosphere, the event remained significant, with notable figures like NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Bill Gates joining forces on stage. The launch event featured a free lunchtime concert by Sting and a Times Square takeover, while retail giants like CompUSA, Circuit City, and Best Buy opened their doors at midnight to cater to eager tech enthusiasts.\n\nWindows XP was introduced with modern underpinnings and features, a stark contrast to its predecessor, the Windows ME. It marked the end of the MS-DOS era and brought the robust Windows NT core to consumer PCs, replacing the outdated DOS and its restrictions. Users applauded Windows XP for its reliability, performance, and security improvements, even though it faced a few initial challenges. The new user interface was designed to make tasks around 25% more efficient. Technical features such as USB plug-and-play support, built-in CD burning software, and ClearType support were also well-received. Over the three-decade lifespan of Windows XP, spanning from October 2001 to April 2014, three major Service Pack (SP) updates were released, and DirectX 8.1 to 9.0c were introduced, catering to the gaming community. Windows XP's extended support allowed users to bypass the less popular Windows Vista and transition directly to Windows 7 when it was launched in October 2009. Interestingly, Windows XP outlasted Windows 10 by a margin of over two years, which was famously marketed as \"the last version of Windows.\"",
  "summary": "Windows XP became available at retailers for the first time on this day back in 2001.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}