{
  "id": 3277890,
  "title": "Windows XP was released to manufacturing a quarter of a century ago",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/windows-xp-was-released-to-manufacturing-a-quarter-of-a-century-ago-3277890",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-25T13:27:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register Science",
    "slug": "the-register-science",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/2026/08/25/windows-xp-was-released-to-manufacturing-a-quarter-of-a-century-ago/5292240"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft released Windows XP to manufacturing 25 years ago, ending the Windows 9x codebase and introducing Windows NT for consumers. Announced on August 24, 2001, Windows XP succeeded Windows 2000 for professionals and Windows ME for home users. Compared to ME, XP was notably more stable. Codenamed Whistler, XP introduced Microsoft's characteristic two-column Start Menu and a completely revamped user interface. The taskbar was also improved with grouping by application, while visual effects and new icons added to the overall experience. Two editions, Home and Professional, were launched at the time of release. Despite its inherent backward compatibility features, XP became the \"cockroach\" of the IT industry, persisting long after its support ended in 2014. Many organizations, such as the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and the Reserve Bank of India, continued using the operating system well beyond its official end of life. Microsoft still issued security updates for XP SP3 as late as 2024, reflecting the operating system's enduring presence in various sectors.",
  "summary": "So incredibly stable, govt branches, banks and dentist offices still haven't figured out how to close it",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Register",
        "title": "Windows XP was released to manufacturing a quarter of a century ago",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/windows-xp-was-released-to-manufacturing-a-quarter-of-a-century-ago",
        "published": "2026-08-25T13:27:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}