Why is that a problem? Where´s a will, there´s a way
Because on a technical level, it's hardly different from 2000. If an extended kernel happens for XP, don't expect it to do too much - the reason 2000's KernelEx works so well is because it's so close to Windows XP internally anyway.
XP and Vista, and heck, XP and
XP x64 (Server 2003) are pretty different from each other and it would take a shitton of effort to get something basic working, explaining why it's been so difficult so far.
Sorry to break your bubble here. I think me and win32 highlighted this issue earlier, but yeah, you'd be looking at a LOT of time spent.
Also, on a legal note, don't suggest using leaked source code to backport if it happens in the future: using anything of the sort is a copyright violation no matter what, so if Windows 7 RTM meets the same fate as XP SP1 for instance... yeah. Even emulators can't use internal hardware documentation if it's come from a private/leaked source since it violates reverse engineering copyright law (even if the patents have been long expired).
@MassClaw While Vista (and therefore the rest of the NT 6 line ultimately) is built from 2003 SP1 and partially from RC1 sources, there were many internal changes between the two warranting the jump in version number. The only reason Windows 10 got a jump was as a marketing ploy (and to separate the RTM from prerelease builds IIRC).