Microsoft phases out regular Windows Vista support
updated 06:05 pm EDT, Mon April 9, 2012
Users get limited supportt for next 5 years
Effective tomorrow, users running Microsoft Windows Vista operating system will be entering a different support phase for all versions of the OS. Up until now, the OS, which originally was released in 2007, had been supported under the company's "Mainstream Support" phase. Under the new "extended support" classification, Microsoft will provide only security updates and paid support for both retail and business versions of the OS for five years until April 11, 2017.
Microsoft's normal policy had been to provide five years of full support for all versions of its operating system. This included non-security hotfixes, no-charge incident support, and warranty claim support. After that time period, the company provided another five years of limited support to licensees of the business version. In February, Microsoft, in an apparent policy shift, indicated it would be providing this additional coverage to retail customers as well. The company has clarified on its support site exactly what each customer can expect during each phase of a product's lifecycle. During this new era for Vista users, they still can access Microsoft's online Knowledge Base and find answers to specific technical questions. [via Engadget]
