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To: Gottfried who wrote (87301)

1/8/2015 4:16:52 PM

From: w0z

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Gottfried

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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 .

Client operating systemsLatest update or service packEnd of mainstream supportEnd of extended support

Windows XP	Service Pack 3	April 14, 2009	April 8, 2014
Windows Vista	Service Pack 2	April 10, 2012	April 11, 2017
Windows 7 *	Service Pack 1	January 13, 2015	January 14, 2020
Windows 8	Windows 8.1	January 9, 2018	January 10, 2023

* 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

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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.

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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