How long will Microsoft support Windows XP?
Date: March 2008
As most of my computer clients report it, Windows XP has become very successful; World wide market research indicates that Windows XP (Home and Pro) had a worldwide installed base of 539 million copies at the end of the year 2006. Most of these current XP computers are very functional and perform well. Most current users find it difficult to justify the purchase of Vista Upgrade or a new Vista based PC system.
Microsoft's own life support policies provides ongoing bug fixes and security patches (mainstream software support) for about five years after a initial Windows release, and further ongoing security and update support for an additional five years. Microsoft reports that XP Home and XP Pro will both receive identical support periods.
Microsoft's website states that extended support for Windows XP ends in April 2014. You should be already using the current Windows XP Service Pack 2 (outside this site) within one year of its release for continued support.
Microsoft state that the earliest date that the Windows XP SP2 support will end is 2014, but Microsoft generally offer customers a longer reprieve. Based on past events, Microsoft's support for Windows 98 was to be dropped in January 2004, but Microsoft extended it by two and a half years to July 2006.
The very successful Windows XP's could be given an extended life - if Microsoft chooses to issue another Windows XP service pack on or after the year 2013. Microsoft has indicated that a XP Service Pack 3 (outside this site) will be released in the first half of the year 2008.
- Windows XP Home Edition: SP3 for Windows XP Home Edition is currently planned for mid-2008.
- Windows XP Professional: SP3 for Windows XP Professional is currently planned for mid-2008.
- Windows Vista: Windows Vista SP1 (outside this site) is to be released publicly in mid-March, standard service pack support will then begin .
Microsoft have sent early Windows XP SP3 beta's to about 15,000 testers worldwide. Early feedback on the Windows XP SP3 beta has been seen as very favorable, with many bloggers commenting that a Windows XP SP3 machine is benchmarking up to 10% faster than a identical Windows XP SP2 system.
Any boost in the performance of Windows XP will create a interesting debate on Windows Vista versus XP issues. Vista has been currently plagued with a few performance issues, lack of third-party hardware and driver support.
It seems rather unlikely, however, that Microsoft will release the coming Windows XP SP3 update before the arrival of Vista SP1 has blessed a fresh user incentive into the Windows Vista market sales.
Current know shortcomings of Windows VISTA:
- A need for significant hardware upgrades and new stable device drivers.
- Many third party applications still not supported.
- Too many Vista editions (why is this?).
- Is significantly different from Windows XP and so there is a learning curve.
- Requires about 2 GB of Memory to run well.
- Hardware vendors are taking their own time to provide support for Vista.
- Buried controls - requiring a half a dozen mouse clicks to perform a task.
- Installation can take many hours, and with upgrades much more.
- Difficult Security and Administration issues performing Networks and Installations.
- New technical difficulties performing essential software maintenance and repairs.
Finally, if you are looking to buy a new Vista based computer, I suggest waiting until the end of this year - 2008. Until the temporary ''Vista' growing pains saga has been resolved, stay with Windows XP!
This could be a possible opportunity to switch to a Macintosh Computer. Apple's OS X (outside this site) already does most of the things that Vista does, and has for some time now. So, unless you are dependent on a Windows specific piece of hardware or software that there is no Macintosh replacement for, then it may be worth considering moving to a Apple-Macintosh Computer - running the latest Apple OS X software.
How to link to this Page
To link to this page from your website - or blog, cut and paste the following code to your site
It will look like this on your page:
News Updates: So how long will Microsoft support Windows XP
