Gamers, get used to Microsoft Vista, whether you like it or not. Today, Microsoft just kicked its predecessor, Windows XP, out the door.

That means no new computers will be sold at major retailers with XP preinstalled. To get it, you’ll have to buy Vista first, then downgrade to XP.

Microsoft is tired of nursing the aging system and wants everyone to start using Vista, no matter how clunky and inconvenient it is, and what better way to make that happen than to render XP obsolete. (However, full technical support continues through next year, and limited support through 2014.)

Windows XP was heralded as the next best thing in computing when it debuted in late 2001. The start was inauspicious at best, with glitches hampering preview ceremonies staged around the country, including St. Louis. (Among other things, the demonstration of video conferencing at the show in America’s Center failed on three attempts.) In later years, XP received an “F” for security by being so porous to hacker attacks that “malware” and “computer virus” became household words.

But Vista weighs in at almost twice XP’s size, which made it too big for most computers to run effectively when it was released in January 2007. Vista also has had numerous compatibility issues with assorted peripheral devices, cumbersome licensing terms and slower operation overall than XP.

Even Intel Corp., which knows a thing or two about computers, has decided to stick with XP until something less cranky than Vista comes along.

Gamers won’t have that choice. Starting today, you’ll have to trade the devil you know for something much more scary.