I read a post on DNForum today, and it appears that Microsoft may have dropped two product domain names. According to DomainTools, there is currently “no match” in the Whois database for OfficeXP.com and Windows98.com is currently registered to “BackorderZone.com, LLC.”
Using the Whois history tool, I was able to see that Microsoft owned both domain names at one point in time. In 2011, Microsoft was the registrant of Windows98.com, and it was registered at Melbourne IT with an expiration date of March 2012. In 2011, Microsoft was the registrant of OfficeXP.com, which was also registered at Melbourne IT with an expiration date of March 2012.
According to the aforementioned DNForum thread, these domain names were reportedly available for backordering within the past few days. I am not sure what registrar caught the names and/or if they are currently pending auction at a platform like NameJet or SnapNames.
This is certainly a case where any buyer/bidder needs to proceed with caution (to say the least). Microsoft does appear to have live trademarks for both Office XP and Windows 98. The company has been known to  aggressively  protect its trademarks as well.
I don’t really understand why these names wouldn’t be renewed and forwarded to Microsoft’s home page.
Earlier this year windows2000.com was deleted by MS. Didn’t make much sense to me back then.
And deleting windows98.com does not make any sense also.
and they kept WindowsMe.com go figure
Hi,
I am a female domain er living in New Zealand and just came across your blog. We don’t have anything like this in our Pacific nation so I will be tuning in to learn more from this one.
Have a great day and thanks for the information.
Linda Cole
Products no more supported, domains no longer need
@ Picas
Why give someone else an opportunity to buy these domain names? The products may not be supported, but I am quite sure there are many people still using the products. Should they visit the product .com domain name, they would encounter a website not controlled by Microsoft. The alternative is to spend $20/year to keep them in perpetuity and forward to the MSFT home page.
Yes, agree with the product has been dropped. Mind 98, if they kept it a bit longer the domain would be in the retro ranks. Progression is king, ms are showing they have moved on, and so they should. Thanks for the info, enjoy your postings….
Elliot,
Spot on.
I bet you in some deep dark backwater places in Asia Africa and the southern states 😉 there are still some computers running these.
Joe blogs has a problem with his XP goes to what he thinks is the official site and gets shoddy treatment, not a good look for Microsoft.
@ Anthony
Shoddy treatment is the smallest issue… A patch or upgrade with a virus is a bigger issue.
On the domain side of things, Microsoft can be aggressive in protecting brands, and owning this name could be a big risk in my opinion.