There are a number of things that Microsoft has done over the years that have made analysts in the industry scratch their heads, but with the computer software giant’s consistent string of victories in the marketplace, they have shown everyone that they know what they are doing.

However, the current situation is unlike any other situation Microsoft has ever faced. What they are up against in this particular run is a rejuvenated competition in the form of an Apple Corporation that has destroyed Microsoft in the mobile technology market as well as an albatross in Windows Vista that has made many people turn towards Apple, even if they like the fact that Microsoft is rushing Multitouch technology to the market with products like the Surface and the soon to be released Windows 7.

This is perhaps why Microsoft’s recent decision to mothball Windows XP has drawn the same raised eyebrows and scratched heads that many of their previous decisions have done as well.

But the rumours are most definitely true. Microsoft announced on Friday that they will no longer be selling people the Windows XP operating system, essentially forcing people to buy Vista if they would like a legal copy of Windows on their new computer. Since Windows Vista is a bloated albatross in operating system terms, this also indirectly means that modern technology setups are needed for people, forcing them to buy expensive new desktop systems as opposed to used ones that might have fit their budget better.

This is rumoured to be a move towards pushing people forward towards hardware configurations that can support Multitouch (and therefore making Windows 7 worthwhile when it hits the market), but at the moment that is little more than speculation.