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Microsoft drops support for Windows XP SP2

by Scott Bicheno on 25 February 2010, 10:25

Tags: Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)

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Shepherding towards Windows 7

Less than six months after the apparently successful launch of Windows 7, Microsoft has decided to cut the umbilicus to the operating system many end-users - especially businesses - clung to during the Vista era.

Windows XP SP2 is the OS many people used for many years, but on 13 July Microsoft will support it no more. It is still supporting XP SP3 however, so Microsoft is not yet forcing XP users to upgrade, but this is a strong signal to XP users nonetheless.

A version of Windows that is having the umbilicus completely severed on 13 July is Windows 2000 and anyone still using Vista RTM (SP0) will be compelled to at least get the latest service pack on 13 April. Of course Microsoft would rather they moved up to Windows 7.

In case you're wondering why running an OS that Microsoft no longer offers support for, the announcement offered the following warning:

Keeping your PC up to date and as safe as possible is something that people need to think about beyond just being on the latest service pack. I want to remind everyone of the benefits of keeping Windows Update turned on. Through Windows Update, not only are you provided with the latest security updates and service packs for Windows at no cost, but also the latest updates to products such as Internet Explorer 8 and Microsoft Security Essentials.

 



HEXUS Forums :: 33 Comments

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HEXUS
In case you're wondering why running an OS that Microsoft no longer offers support for, the announcement offered the following warning

Eh?

Anyway, the only thing that surprises me is that it's been supported as long as it has. I personally think they should've stopped supporting XP SP2 about 1 month after SP3 came out, but I guess some corporate clients fear every kind of update going.
Cor only seems like yesterday I was on Xp & Vista. Does seem a bit sooner, even though it really isn't.

I shall miss you XP!
I still have an XP lappy & refuse to fork out for Win7 to put on it when XP just works with less memory demands.

Even tho I've had win7 working ok with low mem systems. Time for Linux perhaps…
I want to know when MS will stop activating XP by phone or online. That is the day I will poop my pants.
snootyjim
Eh?

Anyway, the only thing that surprises me is that it's been supported as long as it has. I personally think they should've stopped supporting XP SP2 about 1 month after SP3 came out, but I guess some corporate clients fear every kind of update going.

It has to do with hardware requirements (specifically RAM), I know companies that are still using XP (SP0) because their machines run ‘fast’ with 128mb of ram, try that with SP3 and most people won't even get logged into their workstations before its home time.