Microsoft Windows XP marks 25th anniversary

Windows XP, released by Microsoft on October 25, 2001, celebrates its 25th anniversary. The operating system was a landmark release, being the first consumer-facing version to utilize the NT kernel, which provided significantly higher stability compared to the DOS-based Windows 9x series.

At its peak, Windows XP achieved a market share of approximately 89%. While official support ended in April 2014, the system maintained a niche presence for years. Recent data indicates its global desktop market share has dwindled to approximately 0.05%.

The release was supported by a massive marketing campaign involving Intel and various PC manufacturers. However, the era also introduced controversial practices that became industry standards, such as mandatory product activation and the integration of services like Internet Explorer and Media Player, which led to antitrust scrutiny in the US and EU.