A reader submitted a question that I think merits a short posting, regarding the demise of "Microsoft support" for Windows XP.
This reader is one of many people who have - for various reasons - remained staunchly loyal to Windows XP, and was afraid that the end-of-life "phasing out" of XP would force them into installing and learning Linux.
Q: I read that Microsoft will stop supporting XP in April. Does that mean my computer will stop working? I absolutely refuse to use Vista, and want to keep using XP!! What do I have to do to keep my computer functional?
A: Microsoft is indeed ending full support (called "mainstream") for Windows XP SP3 on April 14th. It will then offer a much more limited support level - called "Extended" - until April 8, 2014. Of course, this is subject to change, but, basically 5 more years.
When those dates are reached, no - your copy of XP will not "stop working", it just will be incredibly obsolete, and after 2014 no new security patches will be released.. which will make it a golden target.
What happens in April this year? Microsoft defines "Extended Support" as follows:
3. What is the difference between Mainstream Support, Extended Support, and online self-help support?
| Support provided | Mainstream Support phase | Extended Support phase |
| Paid support (per-incident, per hour, and others) | X | X |
| Security update support | X | X |
| Non-security hotfix support | X | Requires extended hotfix agreement, purchased within 90 days of mainstream support ending. |
| No-charge incident support | X | |
| Warranty claims | X | |
| Design changes and feature requests | X | |
| Product-specific information that is available by using the online Microsoft Knowledge Base | X | X |
| Product-specific information that is available by using the Support site at Microsoft Help and Support to find answers to technical questions | X | X |
Note A hotfix is a modification to the commercially available Microsoft product software code to address specific critical problems.
* Hopefully before 2014 arrives, you will find an OS to your liking (http://techpaul.wordpress.com/2009/01/11/a-techs-first-impression-of-windows-7/) and you can let XP retire into pleasant memory..
For more details see, the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ.
Also, for other Microsoft products, click here.
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