Microsoft Extends Support for Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Media Center Edition
By: Arie Slob
This week Microsoft announced that it is adding an Extended support phase for the Windows XP Home and Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) operating systems, bringing these in line with the 'business-oriented' products such as Windows XP Professional.
In Microsoft's original lifecycle support plans, Windows XP Home and MCE were only going to receive a 5-year lifecycle support as is customary with all Microsoft's consumer products.
A Microsoft statement about the change reads: "With the addition of Extended Support, the support life cycle for Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Media Center Edition will include a total of five years of Mainstream Support (until April 2009) and five years of Extended Support, matching the support policy provided for Windows XP Professional."
The addition of the Extended Support phase means that Microsoft will support the products with security hotfixes only. Products under Extended Support are not eligible for design changes, nor will non-security-related software updates be provided.
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