Microsoft has cancelled the version of Windows XP for Intel's Itanium processors. Instead, Microsoft will concentrate its efforts in getting an OS that fully supports the x86-64-bit chips from Intel and AMD. However, there will be a high-end version of its Server OS for Itanium chips.

"Because Windows on x64 systems delivers excellent flexibility and choice, while also enabling a smooth migration from 32-bit to 64-bit applications, Microsoft believes Windows for Itanium-based systems is a stronger offering in the high-end server market, and will continue to promote and offer Windows Server 2003 Enterprise and Datacenter Editions for Itanium-based systems. For the mainstream server and workstation markets, however, we believe we can best serve our customers needs with Windows Server 2003 Standard x64 Edition, and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, respectively."

This will not really be felt in the computing world too much, since there are no actual vendors out there selling Itanium workstations anymore. Take-up of Windows on Itanium workstations was poor anyway, with many Itanium workstation customers using Linux instead.