resources

News

Microsoft unveils “expanded and enhanced” product lifecycle policy

  • no.1585
  • 2004-06-02
Windowsfordevices.com May 26, 2004 Microsoft has announced the June 1, 2004 launch of an expanded and enhanced product support life-cycle policy. The updated policy offers Microsoft's customers a minimum total of 10 years of "mainstream" and "extended" support for business and developer products, including Windows Embedded. In addition to the expanded timeframe, the updated policy provides increased support for IT infrastructure security assistance. According to Microsoft, this new policy delivers "the predictable support that customers need to successfully do more with less." Microsoft says it will offer a minimum of five years mainstream support, followed by five years extended support for most business and developer products, including Windows Embedded. The type of support provided during the mainstream support phase will not change. During the extended support phase, the announcement continues, all paid support options (pay per incident, use an incident from a package of incidents, pay per hour) are available to customers. Security update support will be provided at no additional cost. Non-security related hotfix support requires the purchase of a separate Extended Hotfix Support contract. Per-fix fees also apply. Microsoft says it will not accept requests for warranty support, design changes, or new features during the extended support phase. Microsoft says the new lifecycle policy will become effective on June 1, 2004 and applies to most Microsoft business and developer products that are currently in mainstream support, as well as future products. This is how the new policy affects specific embedded products:
  • Windows CE -- The new policy applies to Windows CE 3.0, as well as Windows CE .NET 4.0, Windows CE .NET 4.1, and Windows CE .NET 4.2. It does not apply to Windows CE 2.11 or Windows CE 2.12.
  • Windows XP Embedded -- Currently in mainstream support, Windows XP Embedded will now have this support extended for two years after Longhorn Embedded ships. For customers who are participating in the company's extended support program, XP Embedded will be covered under extended support until at least 12/30/2011.
  • Windows NT Embedded -- Not affected by the new policy, because Windows NT Embedded is currently in extended support. The new policy only affects new products and products that are currently in mainstream support. Microsoft's current lifecycle policy took effect on October 15, 2002. The existing Windows Embedded lifecycle web page, located here, documents the current product lifecycle dates for Windows CE, Windows XP Embedded, and Windows NT embedded. Beginning June 1st, this web page will provide further details about the policy and how it applies to all Microsoft products.