If you or someone you know is running Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), then you and/or they absolutely NEED TO READ THIS!

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 13^th, 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

Something to be aware of and keep in mind: The terms of the Service Pack Support policy do not impact the Mainstream Support phase or Extended Support phase dates for Windows XP as a product. Windows XP transitioned from the Mainstream Support phase to the Extended Support phase on April 14, 2009. During the Extended Support phase for Windows XP (April 14, 2009 – April 8, 2014), Microsoft will continue to provide paid support and security updates at no additional charge. To be eligible for Extended Support for Windows XP, customers must be on Windows XP SP3 after July 13, 2010 since support for Windows XP SP2 retires on July 13, 2010. Then on April 8, 2014, Extended Support for Windows XP SP3 will come to an end as well, as part of the standard Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

Support options for Windows XP SP2 after July 13, 2010:

• Customers will have access to limited break/fix troubleshooting for Windows XP SP2.
  Note: If the support incident requires escalation to the product development teams for further guidance, requires a hotfix, or requires a security update, customers will be asked to upgrade to a supported service pack.
• Customers with a Premier Support agreement also have the option of purchasing Custom Support while they migrate to a supported product or service pack. The Custom Support offerings include access to security hotfixes.

Guidance for customers

Unsupported products or service packs pose a significant risk to your computer’s security; therefore, Microsoft advises customers to migrate to the latest supported service pack and/or product prior to the end of support. Our latest products, such as Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, provide greater security, reliability, environment-friendly features, and a host of other benefits.

While we have had the End of Support information included in newsletters, on the websites, and in many other communications for some time, I wanted to put it here on my Blog as well so that you see it once again and it reminds you that if you are running Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), you only have a few weeks left to address this before support ends. 

Partners, be sure to utilize these resources as well when helping your clients address their needs around this:

• Windows XP with SP2 and Windows Vista RTM End of Support Information Sheet
• Partner Notice: End of Support, Expiration Information for Prior Versions of Windows
• Windows 7 Springboard Series: Upgrading to Windows 7 for Small and Medium Businesses
• Windows for Small- and Medium-size Businesses: End of Support
• Training: Understand the Options and Upgrade Your Customers to Windows 7 Now
• Partner Academy Live Presentation: Windows XP with SP2 End of Support Partner Opportunity
• Windows 7 Springboard Series 

You can also find links to these resources above on the Windows End of Support Page on the Microsoft Partner Network site.

Consumers can visit www.windows.com/end-of-support for more information as well.

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman – Follow me on TWITTER, LinkedIn, and RSS and see “What I’m thinking”
Global Partner Experience Lead
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights