Windows XP Leaves Mainstream

Eight years after its initial release, Windows XP will transition from the Mainstream to the Extended support phase of its life cycle. Although Mainstream support is typically five years, it was increased for XP due to the delayed release of Windows Vista. Even though XP security fixes will be available for another five years, many users will want to transition to an OS still in Mainstream support.

(For a chart of key dates remaining in the XP life cycle, see “Key Dates in Windows XP Life Cycle“.)

Entering Extended Support

Three elements of support are eliminated when an OS enters Extended support, as customers can no longer obtain no-charge incident support, make a warranty claim, or ask Microsoft to make either a design change or add a new feature to the OS.

After XP transitions to Extended support, customers will still be entitled to any security-related hotfixes that Microsoft produces to address security vulnerabilities or bugs in XP. However, only customers with an Extended Hotfix Support Agreement (EHSA) are eligible to request nonsecurity patches during the Extended support life-cycle phase. EHSA customers must have a Premier or Essential support agreement and must either annually enroll in the program or have Software Assurance on XP. Customers must also pay a fee for each hotfix.