| | | Windows lifecycle fact sheetLast updated: April 2014
In this page End of support End of sales Service packs and updates Windows downgrade rights
Every Windows product has a lifecycle. The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it's no longer supported. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to upgrade or make other changes to your software. Here are the rights and limits of the Windows lifecycle.
End of support
End of support refers to the date when Microsoft no longer provides automatic fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. This is the time to make sure you have the latest available update or service pack installed. Without Microsoft support, you will no longer receive security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software that can steal your personal information. For more information go to Microsoft Support Lifecycle .
* Support for Windows 7 RTM without service packs ended on April 9, 2013. Be sure to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 today to continue to receive support and updates.
End of support: questions and answers
Hide all
What is the difference between mainstream support and extended support?
Mainstream support—Microsoft will offer mainstream support for a minimum of 5 years from the date of a product's general availability, or for 2 years after the successor product is released, whichever is longer. For example, if you buy a new version of Windows and five years later another version is released, you will still have two years of support left for the previous version.
Extended support—Microsoft will offer extended support for either a minimum of 5 years from the date of a product's general availability, or for 2 years after the second successor product (two versions later) is released, whichever is longer.
For more details on the difference between mainstream support and extended support, refer to the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ .
What should I do when the version of Windows I'm using reaches its end of support date?
You can either install the latest available update or service pack or you can upgrade to a newer version of Windows. For more information, see What does it mean if my version of Windows is no longer supported?
How does the end of support for Windows XP affect my business?
Learn why Microsoft ended support for Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003, what it means to you, and how you can get access to all available tools to begin your migration.
Top of page
End of sales
End of sales refers to the date when a particular version of Windows is no longer shipped to retailers or Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Examples of OEMS are Dell and Toshiba—PC manufacturers who often preinstall Windows software. When a version of Windows reaches its end of sales date, it's a good time to think about upgrading.
This table gives end of sales dates for specific Windows operating systems.
Client operating systems and updatesDate of general availabilityRetail software end of sales *End of sales for PCs with Windows preinstalled
Windows XP
|
December 31, 2001
|
June 30, 2008
|
October 22, 2010
|
Windows Vista
|
January 30, 2007
|
October 22, 2010
|
October 22, 2011
|
Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate
|
October 22, 2009
|
October 31, 2013
|
October 31, 2014
|
Windows 7 Professional
|
October 22, 2009
|
October 31, 2013
|
Not yet established **
|
Windows 8
|
October 26, 2012
|
October 31, 2014
|
Not yet established
|
Windows 8.1
|
October 18, 2013
|
Not yet established
|
Not yet established
|
* Note that when the retail software product reaches its end of sales date, it can still be purchased through OEMs (the company that made your PC) until it reaches the end of sales date for PCs with Windows preinstalled.
** Microsoft will provide one year of notice prior to the end of sale date.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle |
|
