Windows lifecycle fact sheet OverviewWindows XP In this topic

End of sales End of support Service packs Windows Downgrade Rights

More lifecycle information

Windows XP Internet Explorer Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008

Last updated: January 2012 Every Windows product has a lifecycle. The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it's no longer supported or sold. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to upgrade or make other changes to your software. Here are the rights and limits of the Windows lifecycle. End of sales End of sales refers to the date when a particular version of Windows is no longer shipped to retailers or Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Examples of OEMS are Dell and ToshibaPC manufacturers who often

preinstall Windows software. When a version of Windows reaches its end of sales date, it's a good time to think about upgrading. This table gives end of sales dates for specific Windows operating systems. Desktop operating systems Windows XP Date of Retail general software availability end of sales * December 31, 2001 June 30, 2008 End of sales for PCs with Windows preinstalled October 22, 2010

Windows Vista January 30, October 2007 22, 2010 Windows 7

October 22, 2011

To be determined October 22, To be 2009 determined

* Note that when the retail software product reaches its end of sales date, it can still be purchased through OEMs (the company that made your PC) until it reaches the end of sales date for PCs with Windows preinstalled. End of sales: questions and answers Show all What is the lifecycle policy if I purchase a PC with Windows already installed? When Microsoft launches a new version of Windows, we will continue to allow OEMs to sell PCs pre-installed with the previous version for up to two years after the launch date of the new

version. Certain OEM versions of Windows products include Downgrade Rights (as outlined within the software license terms). Downgrade Rights make it possible to use a previous version of Windows instead of the licensed software preinstalled on a new PC. See Downgrade Rights for additional details. What is the lifecycle policy if I purchase Windows as a packaged product? We will continue to allow retailers to sell the previous version of Windows for a year after the launch date of the new version. What is the lifecycle policy for versions of Windows purchased through Volume Licensing? Top of page End of support End of support refers to the date when Microsoft no longer provides automatic fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. This is the time to make sure you have the latest available service pack installed. Without Microsoft support, you will no longer receive security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software that can steal your personal information. For more information go toMicrosoft Support Lifecycle. Desktop operating systems Windows XP Latest service pack Service Pack 3 End of mainstream support April 14, 2009 End of extended support April 8, 2014

Windows Vista

Service Pack 2 Service Pack 1

April 10, 2012 January 12, 2015

April 11, 2017 January 14, 2020

Windows 7

End of support: questions and answers Show all What is the difference between mainstream support and extended support?

Mainstream supportMicrosoft will offer mainstream support for a minimum of 5 years from the date of a product's general availability, or for 2 years after the successor product is released, whichever is longer. For example, if you buy a new version of Windows and five years later another version is released, you will still have two years of support left for the previous version. Extended supportMicrosoft will offer extended support for either a minimum of 5 years from the date of a product's general availability, or for 2 years after the second successor product (two versions later) is released, whichever is longer. Please note: Extended support is only available for commercial customers.

For more details on the difference between mainstream support and extended What should I do when the version of Windows I'm using reaches its end of support date?

Which Windows products recently reached their end of support dates? Top of page Service packs Service packs are part of the process of keeping your Windows product up to date. They combine the latest updates and fixes into one package or download. A service pack can include security and performance improvements as well as support for new types of hardware. To install the latest service pack of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, visit the Service Pack Center. Desktop operating systems Windows XP SP1 Date of availability August 30, 2002 Support retired October 10, 2006

Windows XP SP2

September 17, July 13, 2004 2010 April 21, 2008 Available now February 4, 2008 May 26, 2009 July 12, 2011 Available now

Windows XP SP3

Windows Vista SP1

Windows Vista SP2

Windows 7 SP1

February 22, 2011

Available now

Service packs: questions and answers Show all What is the support policy for Windows service packs? If my version of Windows offers regular update notices, does that mean I have a service pack installed? Where can I find information about service pack support for Windows Server products? Top of page Windows Downgrade Rights To use prior versions of Windows software on PCs installed with newer versions, it is possible for consumers to obtain a license for Downgrade Rights. The following table compares Volume Licensing Downgrade Rights with those provided under OEM and FPP licenses. Soft Application war software e licen se agre eme nt type Sele Downgrade System software Server software

Downgrade Rights are granted

Downgrade

ct Lice nse and Ope n Lice nse

Rights are granted with all application software licenses acquired through the Select License and Open License programs.

with all system software licenses acquired through the Select License and Open License programs.

Rights are granted with all server software licenses acquired through the Select License and Open License programs. Downgrade Rights are granted in connection with all server software licenses acquired through Volume Licensing, FPPs, and OEMs enrolled in Software Assurance coverage.

Lice nses enro lled in Soft war e Assu ranc e

Downgrade Rights give you the right to use previous versions ofMicrosoft soft ware.Microsoft V olume Licensing programs include specific Downgrade Rights granted in connection with all application software licenses acquired through Volume Licensing, FPP (Full Packaged Product), and OEMs enrolled

Downgrade Rights are granted in connection with system software licenses acquired through Volume Licensing, FPPs, and OEMs enrolled in Software Assurance coverage.

in Software Assurance coverage. Please refer to the Microsoft Vo lume Licensing Product Listfor current information about which retail and OEM applications qualify for enrollment in Software Assurance. OE M End User Lice nse Agr eem ent (Lic ense Ter ms) Rights to OEM versions of application software are granted in the OEM License Terms. The OEM License Terms for OEM versions of application software do not grant Downgrade Rights. Rights to OEM versions of system software are granted in the OEM License Terms. The OEM License Terms for most OEM versions of system software do not grant Downgrade Rights. The exception is the OEM License Terms for Windows 7Professional,Win dows 7 Ultimate,Windows Vista Business, andWindows VistaUltimate operating systems, which grant Downgrade Rights. See the full text of the OEM License Terms Rights to server software are granted in the OEM License Terms. The OEM License Terms for most OEM versions released with or afterWindo ws Server 2 003 R2

for specifics.

allow for the end user to downgrade to an earlier version. New products that do not have earlier versions do not allow a user to downgrade. See the full text of the applicable OEM License Terms for the specific Downgrade Rights. Some Server products offer Downgrade Rights. Please refer to the FPP License

FPP End User Lice nse Agr eem ent

Downgrade Rights are not granted under most FPP Applications Licenses.

Downgrade Rights are not granted under FPP System Licenses.

Terms for complete details. Note: The information above contains the Downgrade Rights for the most commonly acquired systems as outlined in their License Terms. For downgrade provisions for other system licenses, please consult the License Terms for the software in question.