Microsoft is aiming to get the final version of Windows XP out in the summer, but if it misses its target, the software company may delay the operating system´s launch until next year, several PC makers and analysts say.

Much depends on whether the company can meet its target date for releasing the Windows XP final, or gold, code to computer makers. Computer makers contacted Monday said that late last week Microsoft told them it would release the final code for XP--an upgrade to Windows 95, 98, Millennium Edition and 2000--in late July or early August.

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