Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out?

**Brad** · January 8th, 2006

According to this article, that's what it looks like:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060103-5891.html

**perris** · January 8th, 2006

xp is such a good os they're gonna have to do something to get people to buy vista

**NetRyder** · January 8th, 2006

Vista gets released before the end of the year. Support for XP Home ends on December 31, 2006. That means there's still an overlap period of a couple of months.

With that said, I don't think this is a very good idea. If you ask me, Vista is a worthwhile upgrade for almost everyone, including home users, but there are so many people who simply won't upgrade their OS until they buy a new computer. Without continuing security updates, it could turn into a pretty unpleasant situation, especially if another major worm hits the web sometime next year.

Microsoft obviously can't (and shouldn't) continue to provide updates for older OS's indefinitely, but I think there needs to be a slightly longer overlap period so that people have time to plan for and make the transition. Ending support for XP Home about six months after Vista is released would be more reasonable, in my opinion.

**Bman** · January 8th, 2006

I agree with more time, I am very used to Windows XP, haven't got a chance to try Vista. Right now, I really don't want to switch over. I have work, schooling and many things to worry about. I need to stick to one OS for the moment.

**Brad** · January 8th, 2006

Originally Posted by perris

xp is such a good os they're gonna have to do something to get people to buy vista

Well...it looks like that is what the plan is. Upgrade or fee the wrath of teh intArwebs!!!!one

**j79zlr** · January 8th, 2006

I think they tried to do this with Windows 2000 years ago, and it is still supported. If they do end support, I think it will blow up in their face, either they will have tons of insecure boxes out there, or they force users to switch to a different OS. Hmm, maybe I should try this free and more seucre linux thing I've been hearing about, or should I drop probably $500 on their new wizbang OS, that will probably require hardware upgrades as well?

**NetRyder** · January 8th, 2006

The thing is Win2k wasn't considered to be a consumer product, although many of us ended up using it at home after experiencing the disaster that was Windows ME.

So support continued for few more years. Similarly, support for XP Pro, the business version, is supposed to continue for several more years.

I'm not sure if Microsoft will reconsider its stance on XP Home, but I hope it extends for a few more months, especially since most systems vendors like Dell, HP, etc. ship their consumer systems with the Home edition, and those are the systems that most home users have been purchasing. This, unfortunately, also happens to be the pool of users that needs the security updates the most.

**j79zlr** · January 8th, 2006

I did forget that they are not ending support for Pro, still though, since they are basically the same OS, with home missing a handful of [useful] features, I don't think it would cost them much to continue support for both.

**NetRyder** · January 8th, 2006

Originally Posted by j79zlr

I did forget that they are not ending support for Pro, still though, since they are basically the same OS, with home missing a handful of [useful] features, I don't think it would cost them much to continue support for both.

I agree. As an outsider, I don't know how the QA process works for hotfixes, but rationally speaking, the test matrix for Home should simply be a subset of the one for Pro, probably with a few exceptions.

I think it has more to do with increasing the uptake rate of Vista as fast as possible, rather than cost to the company for additional testing with XP Home, which should be minimal. It's not such a bad idea, considering the fact that Vista makes some pretty big strides ahead in terms of security compared to XP (apart from several other incentives to upgrade). But again, I think people are going to need more time. A couple of months is just too short of a transition period.

**perris** · January 8th, 2006

I think it might be a marketing strategy to say they are going to end support when they aren't really

I think they intend to support xp home for a longer period of time, but will wait until the last minute to announce that bit of generosity

**Heeter** · January 8th, 2006

Originally Posted by perris

I think it might be a marketing strategy to say they are going to end support when they aren't really

I think they intend to support xp home for a longer period of time, but will wait until the last minute to announce that bit of generosity

I will have to agree with you on this one, perris.

Heeter

**NetRyder** · January 12th, 2006

Ding! Look like the decision was reconsidered.

Microsoft has quietly extended the support lifespan of Windows XP Home, which as recently as last week was scheduled to be put out to pasture at the end of this year.

Analysts had pointed out that XP Home, and most other XP operating systems, would be cut off from technical support on Dec. 31, 2006, a potential problem since XP's successor, Windows Vista, isn't to release until shortly before that date

In a blog written last Wednesday, JupiterResearch analyst Joe Wilcox put the blame at Windows Vista's door. "It's more a problem of product delays, that Microsoft repeatedly delayed release of Windows Vista," he wrote.

In an updated support lifecycle listing, Microsoft said that all Windows XP products--which include Home, Pro, Embedded, Media Center, and Tablet PC--will enjoy mainstream support for "two years after the next version of this product is released."

Assuming Vista releases in November of this year, XP's mainstream support will end November, 2008.

**Mastershakes** · January 12th, 2006

yep, and that's old news, read somewhere last week about XP support going to '08. I guess they were only referring to Pro at the time?

**NetRyder** · January 13th, 2006

Originally Posted by Mastershakes

yep, and that's old news, read somewhere last week about XP support going to '08. I guess they were only referring to Pro at the time?

Yeah, that was Pro only. Mainstream support for XP Home was supposed to end this year, but that has been changed too.

**Brad** · January 13th, 2006

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

**Son Goku** · January 13th, 2006

To talk about/plan the ending of support for the current lattest gen of Windows, when the upcomming version is still in beta, seems IMO silly.

Though more a recommendation in the business sphere, I can also see many home users applying it for themselves. AKA, don't upgrade to a newer version of Windows until after Service Pack 1 is released. The main reason, is getting some of the initial bug fixes out of the way. There are some people who are just not necessarily the best candidates for being on the bleeding edge, and the resultant support which could be necessary in helping the technical non-savy granny who wants to play Cribadge on her now 3 year old computer, while having to face new OS bugs, might simply not be the best option from a support standpoint.

For some of these people to stick with software that has already seen a few fixes to coding bugs which will likely (and in the past has) made it out the gate, might be the easier course of action for the support people themselves. After SP1 is released, some additional things that might not become as well known, until after the product is in wide usage, has gotten a chance to have been fixed by then...

**Brad** · January 13th, 2006

We STILL do not have SP2 on our work computers...

**NetRyder** · January 13th, 2006

Originally Posted by Brad

We STILL do not have SP2 on our work computers...

Why is that? Are there still any incompatibilities with software that you use?

**madmatt** · January 16th, 2006

This was said already but I read it in a Microsoft Newsletter this morning...

Support for XP Home has been extended through (the end?) of 2008. XP Professional through 2011.

January 8th, 2006	Top \| #1
Brad OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: March 2002 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 2,276 Blog Entries: 1 Reputation: 1552 Power: 158	Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? According to this article, that's what it looks like: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060103-5891.html

January 8th, 2006	Top \| #2
perris OSNN Godlike Veteran Joined: January 2002 Location: new york Posts: 12,231 Reputation: 4333 Power: 288	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? xp is such a good os they're gonna have to do something to get people to buy vista IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO

January 8th, 2006	Top \| #3
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? Vista gets released before the end of the year. Support for XP Home ends on December 31, 2006. That means there's still an overlap period of a couple of months. With that said, I don't think this is a very good idea. If you ask me, Vista is a worthwhile upgrade for almost everyone, including home users, but there are so many people who simply won't upgrade their OS until they buy a new computer. Without continuing security updates, it could turn into a pretty unpleasant situation, especially if another major worm hits the web sometime next year. Microsoft obviously can't (and shouldn't) continue to provide updates for older OS's indefinitely, but I think there needs to be a slightly longer overlap period so that people have time to plan for and make the transition. Ending support for XP Home about six months after Vista is released would be more reasonable, in my opinion. http://kunal.kundaje.net

January 8th, 2006	Top \| #4
Bman OSNN Designer Joined: July 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 8,700 Blog Entries: 106 Reputation: 1386 Power: 218	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? I agree with more time, I am very used to Windows XP, haven't got a chance to try Vista. Right now, I really don't want to switch over. I have work, schooling and many things to worry about. I need to stick to one OS for the moment.

January 8th, 2006	Top \| #5
Brad OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: March 2002 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 2,276 Blog Entries: 1 Reputation: 1552 Power: 158	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? Originally Posted by perris xp is such a good os they're gonna have to do something to get people to buy vista Well...it looks like that is what the plan is. Upgrade or fee the wrath of teh intArwebs!!!!one

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January 8th, 2006	Top \| #6
j79zlr Glaanies script monkey Joined: February 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,725 Reputation: 1520 Power: 152	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? I think they tried to do this with Windows 2000 years ago, and it is still supported. If they do end support, I think it will blow up in their face, either they will have tons of insecure boxes out there, or they force users to switch to a different OS. Hmm, maybe I should try this free and more seucre linux thing I've been hearing about, or should I drop probably $500 on their new wizbang OS, that will probably require hardware upgrades as well? http://www.j79zlr.com

January 8th, 2006	Top \| #7
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? The thing is Win2k wasn't considered to be a consumer product, although many of us ended up using it at home after experiencing the disaster that was Windows ME. So support continued for few more years. Similarly, support for XP Pro, the business version, is supposed to continue for several more years. I'm not sure if Microsoft will reconsider its stance on XP Home, but I hope it extends for a few more months, especially since most systems vendors like Dell, HP, etc. ship their consumer systems with the Home edition, and those are the systems that most home users have been purchasing. This, unfortunately, also happens to be the pool of users that needs the security updates the most. http://kunal.kundaje.net

January 8th, 2006	Top \| #8
j79zlr Glaanies script monkey Joined: February 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,725 Reputation: 1520 Power: 152	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? I did forget that they are not ending support for Pro, still though, since they are basically the same OS, with home missing a handful of [useful] features, I don't think it would cost them much to continue support for both. http://www.j79zlr.com

January 8th, 2006	Top \| #9
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? Originally Posted by j79zlr I did forget that they are not ending support for Pro, still though, since they are basically the same OS, with home missing a handful of [useful] features, I don't think it would cost them much to continue support for both. I agree. As an outsider, I don't know how the QA process works for hotfixes, but rationally speaking, the test matrix for Home should simply be a subset of the one for Pro, probably with a few exceptions. I think it has more to do with increasing the uptake rate of Vista as fast as possible, rather than cost to the company for additional testing with XP Home, which should be minimal. It's not such a bad idea, considering the fact that Vista makes some pretty big strides ahead in terms of security compared to XP (apart from several other incentives to upgrade). But again, I think people are going to need more time. A couple of months is just too short of a transition period. http://kunal.kundaje.net

January 8th, 2006	Top \| #10
perris OSNN Godlike Veteran Joined: January 2002 Location: new york Posts: 12,231 Reputation: 4333 Power: 288	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? I think it might be a marketing strategy to say they are going to end support when they aren't really I think they intend to support xp home for a longer period of time, but will wait until the last minute to announce that bit of generosity IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO

January 8th, 2006	Top \| #11
Heeter Overclocked Like A Mother Joined: July 2002 Location: In front of my computer Posts: 2,729 Reputation: 684 Power: 150	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? Originally Posted by perris I think it might be a marketing strategy to say they are going to end support when they aren't really I think they intend to support xp home for a longer period of time, but will wait until the last minute to announce that bit of generosity I will have to agree with you on this one, perris. Heeter

January 12th, 2006	Top \| #12
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? Ding! Look like the decision was reconsidered. Microsoft has quietly extended the support lifespan of Windows XP Home, which as recently as last week was scheduled to be put out to pasture at the end of this year. Analysts had pointed out that XP Home, and most other XP operating systems, would be cut off from technical support on Dec. 31, 2006, a potential problem since XP's successor, Windows Vista, isn't to release until shortly before that date In a blog written last Wednesday, JupiterResearch analyst Joe Wilcox put the blame at Windows Vista's door. "It's more a problem of product delays, that Microsoft repeatedly delayed release of Windows Vista," he wrote. In an updated support lifecycle listing, Microsoft said that all Windows XP products--which include Home, Pro, Embedded, Media Center, and Tablet PC--will enjoy mainstream support for "two years after the next version of this product is released." Assuming Vista releases in November of this year, XP's mainstream support will end November, 2008. http://kunal.kundaje.net

January 12th, 2006	Top \| #13
Mastershakes OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: July 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,721 Reputation: 1040 Power: 120	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? yep, and that's old news, read somewhere last week about XP support going to '08. I guess they were only referring to Pro at the time?

January 13th, 2006	Top \| #14
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? Originally Posted by Mastershakes yep, and that's old news, read somewhere last week about XP support going to '08. I guess they were only referring to Pro at the time? Yeah, that was Pro only. Mainstream support for XP Home was supposed to end this year, but that has been changed too. http://kunal.kundaje.net

January 13th, 2006	Top \| #15
Brad OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: March 2002 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 2,276 Blog Entries: 1 Reputation: 1552 Power: 158	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

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January 13th, 2006	Top \| #16
Son Goku No lover of dogma Joined: June 2004 Location: 439 East District, Mount Paozu Posts: 1,980 Reputation: 700 Power: 120	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? To talk about/plan the ending of support for the current lattest gen of Windows, when the upcomming version is still in beta, seems IMO silly. Though more a recommendation in the business sphere, I can also see many home users applying it for themselves. AKA, don't upgrade to a newer version of Windows until after Service Pack 1 is released. The main reason, is getting some of the initial bug fixes out of the way. There are some people who are just not necessarily the best candidates for being on the bleeding edge, and the resultant support which could be necessary in helping the technical non-savy granny who wants to play Cribadge on her now 3 year old computer, while having to face new OS bugs, might simply not be the best option from a support standpoint. For some of these people to stick with software that has already seen a few fixes to coding bugs which will likely (and in the past has) made it out the gate, might be the easier course of action for the support people themselves. After SP1 is released, some additional things that might not become as well known, until after the product is in wide usage, has gotten a chance to have been fixed by then...

January 13th, 2006	Top \| #17
Brad OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: March 2002 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 2,276 Blog Entries: 1 Reputation: 1552 Power: 158	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? We STILL do not have SP2 on our work computers...

January 13th, 2006	Top \| #18
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? Originally Posted by Brad We STILL do not have SP2 on our work computers... Why is that? Are there still any incompatibilities with software that you use? http://kunal.kundaje.net

January 16th, 2006	Top \| #19
madmatt Bow Down to the King Joined: April 2002 Location: New York Posts: 13,312 Reputation: 4090 Power: 294	Re: Windows Home Support Ending Before Vista Comes Out? This was said already but I read it in a Microsoft Newsletter this morning... Support for XP Home has been extended through (the end?) of 2008. XP Professional through 2011.