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Posted: Jan. 19, 2004
Windows 2000 and Windows XP are the only fully supported Windows client
OSs as of Jan. 2004.
All support for Windows NT 4.0 Workstation ends June 30, 2004, and only
security-related hotfixes are available in the meantime.
The Extended Support phase for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition,
and Windows Me ends June 30, 2006. This is a major extension of time for these products:
Windows 98 was scheduled to exit the Extended Support phase on Jan. 16, 2004, and the
other two versions were due to leave the Extended Support phase Dec. 31, 2004.
Microsoft products are normally supported only with the most recent
service pack, but customers receive one year to migrate to that service pack. This means,
for example, that Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 3 will be supported until
June 26, 2004.
| Product |
Current
Service Pack |
Mainstream 1
Support Ends |
Extended 2
Support Ends |
Release
History |
| Windows NT 4.0 Workstation |
SP6a; Nov. 30, 1999 |
June 30, 2002 |
June 30, 2003 |
Released: July 1996 SP1:
Sept. 1996
SP2: Dec. 1996
SP3: Apr. 1997
SP4: Oct. 1998
SP5: May 1999 |
| Windows 2000 Professional |
SP4; June 26, 2003 |
Mar. 31, 2005 |
Mar. 31, 2007 |
Released: Mar. 2000 SP1:
July 2000
SP2: May 2001
SP3: Aug. 2002 |
| Windows XP Professional |
SP1a; Sept. 4, 2002 SP2
in beta (anticipated mid-2004) |
Dec. 31, 2006 |
Dec. 31, 2008 |
Released: Sept. 2001 |
| Windows XP Tablet PC Edition |
SP1a; Sept. 4, 2002 |
Dec. 31, 2006 |
Dec. 31, 2008 |
Released: Feb. 2003 |
1 During the mainstream support phase, Microsoft offers full support, including hotfixes, service packs, free telephone support (depending on the product warranty), and paid per-incident and contract support.
2 During the extended phase, free security patches, paid hotfixes, and phone support continue but most other forms of support do not.
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