Here is a note direct for you and your clients. Please make sure you talk to your clients to make sure their needs are covered with the end of support for these two market vetrans.
Microsoft’s Wealth of valuable information Eric Ligman writes:
As part of the standard Microsoft Support Lifecycle, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) will reach “End of Support” on July 13, 2010.
- If you are not familiar with the Microsoft Support Lifecycle web site (which includes the Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy), please check it out. The Microsoft Support Lifecycle (MSL) policy provides transparent and predictable information about the support lifecycle of Microsoft products.
- Ever wondered how to know when support for a specific Microsoft product end or changes? I have this information posted here: “How to know when support ends or changes for your Microsoft product.”
Here’s what you need to know if you are running Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2):
If you are running Windows 2000:
On July 13, 2010, the Extended Support phase for all editions of Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Professional (including Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition, and, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server) will end. If you are running one of these versions of Windows, what this means is: Microsoft will no longer issue security updates or non-security hotfixes for Windows 2000 after this date. In addition, assisted support will no longer be available for this product. To put it in real terms, at the end of the Extended Support phase for Windows 2000, customers will not have access to the following:
- New security updates
- Non-security hotfixes
- Free or paid assisted support options
- Option to engage Microsoft’s product development resources
- Updates to online content (Knowledge Base articles, etc.)
So what are your support options for Widows 2000 after July 13th, 2010? Support options for Windows 2000 after July 13, 2010 are:
- Existing online content may be available to resolve common issues, if the product is still within the Online Self-Help Support phase.
- Custom Support is also available for purchase for those customers who have not been able to complete their migration to a supported product, and absolutely need additional support from Microsoft. The Custom Support offerings include access to security hotfixes and are specifically designed to help customers bridge the support gap while they complete their migration.
- Note: To enroll in Custom Support, customers must have a Premier Support contract. Additionally, customers are required to have a migration plan in place, prior to purchasing Custom Support.
If you are running Windows XP SP2:
On July 13, 2010, support for Windows XP SP2 will also end. This date was established when Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) was released on April 21, 2008. (For service packs, the end of support is 12 or 24 months after a new service pack is released. Support for the previous service pack is either 12 or 24 months, depending on the product family.)
What this means is: After July 13, 2010, customers still with Windows XP SP2 will not have access to the following:
- New security updates
- Non-security hotfixes
- Option to engage Microsoft’s product development resources
More information:
Jeff Loucks
Available Technology
Thanks for helping get the word out, Jeff!
Eric Ligman
Eric this is important imformation for the channel and you are quite possibly the best source of things that matter! Thank you.