How long will Microsoft support Windows XP?
With Windows 7 expected to be released in late 2009, many businesses are wondering about Microsoft's ongoing support for the venerable Windows XP, originally released at the end of 2001. Microsoft's published "life cycle" policy says they will support Windows XP Professional for a minimum of 10 years, or two years after Windows 7 is released, whichever is longer. Online support avenues such as Microsoft's support knowledge base will be provided for a minimum of 10 years from the product release ("extended support"), or until late 2011.
Do note that, like with Windows 98 and Windows Me, Microsoft will eventually stop providing security updates to Windows XP once the "extended" support phase ends. However, by that point most users will likely have replaced PCs bought in the last several years.
Microsoft's stated policy on their Life Cycle web site:
"Microsoft will offer a minimum of 10 years of support for Business and Developer products. Mainstream Support for Business and Developer products will be provided for 5 years or for 2 years after the successor product (N+1) is released, whichever is longer. Microsoft will also provide Extended Support for the 5 years following Mainstream support or for 2 years after the second successor product (N+2) is released, whichever is longer. Finally, most Business and Developer products will receive at least 10 years of online self-help support."
December 2008
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