"Why doesn't the Windows SDK still support development for Microsoft Bob?"  You'd be surprised how many developers out there want to use the SDK with old products like VB 6.0, or create an application for Windows 98, and yes, even Microsoft Bob.  (We actually have a Microsoft Bob SDK in the Microsoft archives, but it's no longer available to customers. Bummer.)

Why not?  Well, Microsoft doesn't support products forever.  But they are supported for a good long time.  Our latest SDK, the Windows SDK for Windows Server 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5, supports development on and for Windows XP, Server 2003, Server 2008, and Vista.  This SDK works with Visual Studio 2005 and 2008 (all editions).   If you want support for an earlier operating system or version of VS, you need to download an earlier SDK.

To help you figure out how long Microsoft will support a product, there's a great site at Microsoft Lifecycle Support Policy that explains the support schedule around just about any product, including information around the various support phases.  You don't have to guess how long a product will be supported.

You don't remember Bob?  Join me for a walkthough...