Updated: July 9, 2020 (June 14, 2010)

Past Windows Client Versions

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Mainstream support for Windows 7 will end in Jan. 2015. Windows Vista leaves Mainstream support in Apr. 2012, and Extended support for Windows XP SP3 ends in Apr. 2014.

OS service packs also have retirement dates. Once a service pack is retired, Microsoft will no longer make security patches available at that service pack level. In general, a Windows service pack is retired either 24 months after the next service pack is released or at the end of the Extended support phase, whichever comes first.

July 13, 2010, is a key date for the support life cycle of several products. As of this date:

If Microsoft finds security vulnerabilities in XP before July 13, 2010, it may make a version of the patches for both XP SP2 and XP SP3, but patches to security vulnerabilities found after July 13, 2010, will only be released for XP SP3.
It will be necessary to upgrade to Vista SP2 for support.
Extended support ends for Windows 2000 Professional.

It is unlikely that Microsoft will release a fourth service pack for XP while the product is in the Extended support phase. The service pack retirement date for SP3 will be when XP leaves Extended support on Apr. 8, 2014.

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