Updated: July 9, 2020 (September 5, 2005)
Charts & IllustrationsProduct Life-Cycle Phases and Options
Support for business and development software is retired in a series of phases. The phases described below apply to all of the products discussed in this report. Note that the Custom Support phase only applies to Windows NT 4.0, Exchange Server 5.5, and some embedded products, such as Windows CE 3.0 and Windows NT Embedded. Microsoft says it has no plans to offer similar support for additional products.
The chapter “Resources” also provides references to material that explains Microsoft’s product life-cycle support policies in more detail.
| Life-Cycle Phases and Options | Normal Duration | Product Support Options | Software Updates |
| Mainstream Support Phase | Five years from the date of general availability, or two years after the release of a successor version, whichever is greater | Free incident support (per warranty)
Online support information Fee-based support options (Professional Support, Essential Support, Premier Support, Microsoft Services Partner Advantage, |
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