Today, Microsoft has finally ended mainstream support for Windows XP and Office 2003 meaning that there is now a charge for customer who needs assistance on per-incident.

Microsoft has a total of 15 years lifecycle support.

Five years are allotted for “mainstream support”, “extended support” and “custom support.” The products are now entering entering its extended support. cycle.

Despite the closing door of mainstream support for XP and Office 2003 today, businesses and individuals has given enough time to consider their options before choosing a new operating system

Microsoft will continue to offer extended support packages on both products available until April 8, 2014. For Security updates, it will be free of charge until 4 August 2014.

Except for Embedded, the affected XP editions are Home Edition, Media Center Edition 2002, Media Center Edition 2004, Media Center Edition 2005, Professional, Professional x64 Edition, Tablet PC Edition, and Tablet PC Edition 2005. For Office 2003 editions are Basic Edition, Professional Edition, Professional Enterprise Edition, Small Business Edition, Standard Edition, along with Student and Teacher Edition.

Microsoft Software