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Microsoft has announced that mainstream support for Windows 7 will end on January 13th 2014 – just nine months after it switched off support for XP.
In January Windows 7 will transition from mainstream support to extended support, which will last for five years and include security updates at no cost, plus paid hotfix support. Microsoft also says it will not accept requests for design changes or new features during the extended support phase.
Other Microsoft products moving to extended support along with Windows 7 will include Dynamics C5 2010 and Nav 2009, Exchange Server 2010, Windows Server 2008, Windows Phone 7.8, Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 and Windows Storage Server 2008.
Microsoft’s mainstream support includes free security and performance updates, while extended support includes free security patches but charges for other types of updates.
However, Microsoft has promised to continue providing security updates for Windows 7 through to 2020.
Recent rumours suggest a Windows 9 operating system will launch this autumn as the successor to Windows 8.1.
Service Packs retiring in the next six months include some for Forefront Unified Access Gateway 2010, Office 2010, SharePoint Server 2010 and Visual Studio 2012.
For the full list of Microsoft products ending support in the second half of 2014, visit Microsoft’s website.
