July 13 2010, although not necessarily a day that will “live in infamy”, is one we should take note of for sure. This is the day that Microsoft will no longer support Window 2000, Windows Server 2000 and Windows XP Service Pack 2. In the tech industry this is called “end of support”.
What does “end of support” mean? It means the Microsoft will no longer provide the following support:
- 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.)
When Windows reaches end of support, there are no updates to the software. More significantly, if you have issues with the operating system or even applications that use that OS, you will get no help. Most software developers and even consultants like ArrowQuick will only be able to recommend you move to a newer version.
So Now What?
The best thing to do is bite the bullet and upgrade to a newer version of Windows. This can be a problem as well, since obsolete software often means obsolete hardware. However, you will enjoy working on a faster computer with a more stable OS.
The logical upgrade path for PCs is to move to Windows 7. Not sure if your machine can run Windows 7? As referenced in a previous article, you can check your computer and find out. If you are not sure what version of Windows 7 you should get, you might want to refer to our Preparing for Windows 7 presentation we gave last fall. Windows 7 has been well-received and you will be glad you upgraded.
If you need to upgrade a server from Windows 2000, consider Windows 2008. Server OS upgrades can sometimes be trickier because of the role they play on a network. Consultants like us can help you decide what the best migration path is.
So while today, July 13, 2010, may not be a red letter day on your calendar, it is an important day for those still using legacy Windows Operating Systems.
Note: If you are interested in understanding Microsoft’s Support Lifecycle policy, you can read about it on their support site. An official announcement is also available.
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