Support Ends In July For XP SP2 and Win2K

Robert | Dec 08, 2009 | View Comments

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Extended Support for Windows XP SP2, Windows 2000, and Windows 2000 Server will finally end on July 13, 2010. After this day, Microsoft will no longer provide individual support or security updates for any of the three operating systems, and there will be no more service packs released for Windows 2000. Users running XP who wish to continue with updates will have to either upgrade to Windows Vista/7 or the latest service pack (SP3). If Microsoft decides to release a fourth service pack for Windows XP, support for SP3 will not end until two years after the next release or the end of the product’s lifecycle (probably the latter as a fourth service pack is unlikely).

Microsoft offers three stages of support, starting with Mainstream Support, followed by Extended Support, and then finally Self-Help Online Support. Mainstream support ended for Windows XP on 14 April 2009, and in July, XP SP2 will enter into the Self-Help Online Support stage. Every version of Windows XP will be affected except for Embedded.

Considering that XP still commands a strong majority of the market, its end should help boost the popularity of Windows Vista and 7, especially considering that Microsoft is urging all of its customers toward the upgrade, offering several resources to help stubborn consumers switch to the new release of the Windows client (such as the End-of-Support Solution Center).

The move should help to boost the computer economy and spur sales as many computers (especially those running Win2K) will also require hardware upgrades or an entirely new system as the components could very well be approaching archaic. As such, Windows 7 sales may also be improved as there’s almost no reason for a consumer to choose Vista in the purchase of a new computer when Windows 7 is readily available.

For users not yet willing to upgrade, Service Pack 3 for Windows XP can be found here.

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About the Author: Robert is a lover of technology and a strong advocate of Open Source Software and the Free Software Foundation. He is also a devoted GNU/Linux user.

  • Using an OS like 2000 and XP SP2, is like having the same main TV that people watch for as long as they have been released. 9 year old TV? How many people actually still watch their shows on their old 32" CRT that the speakers are kinda getting shot out and not sounding right? And why haven't you upgraded to an LCD? Much more energy efficient, and picture quality is superb.

    But seriously WHY are people still using 2000? Ever heard of UPGRADE? Go to Best Buy or even Walmart and pick up a complete PC for under $400. Included monitor keyboard mouse speakers. And that cheapy one will be at least 7-10x faster than that crappy old turd.
  • herrkaleun
    so, XP still will be supported with SP3. Why would it be a news story that XP with SP2 is not supported anymore? SP3 IS THE SUPPORT!
    http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3223
    support for XP ends 2014
  • Because there may still be corporations and businesses that will still be running SP2, as system admins delay major updates to the companies Operating Systems as they aren't fully tested with appropriate that the company uses. That's why Microsoft gives support for a long time after they release updates.
  • Rob
    yea win 2000 is very stable and secure, ofc the security will go down hill abit from July 10 but it was a very well built system, the only people I know still running it are colleges for educational purposes.

    During the ressesion Iizme, its important to remember that some companys simply wouldn't be able to afford to upgrade their systems and program compatibility for certain in house applications, so XP support is very much needed... and ofc the fact it still has ~70% of the market share.

    You also need to remember that businesses aren't as likely to jump on the band wagon as consumers since they want to pay out upgrading X amount of machines to find out 3 months down the line that it falls over it's self.
  • I've just retrieved this comment from the spam section to prove we've got nothing to hide.

    We try to make sure we source all of our news and we never deliberately steal content or not give credit. The actual original source in this case actually wasn't Ars Technica, but the Windows blog: http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/springboard/ar..., which many other sites referenced as well:

    - http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Windows-Microsoft-2...
    - http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topi...

    I've added a link to the Windows blog to the article which was just an oversight on the part of our editor.
  • Iizme
    less money in*

    Sorry for the double post I just don't feel like registering just to edit my posts :D
  • Iizme
    There are still updates for 2000? WOW.. No there will not be a SP4 for XP and they better not do one either XP is dated from 2001 time to wake up!

    BTW this site loads slow would it be possible to remove some ads and give less money is giveaways? lol

    Pss.. Yeah I know about AdBlock.
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