Windows XP Home Is Now Obsolete

[eric_darling]

I guess supporting XP Home is too expensive. Microsoft announced that they'll stop mainstream support for Windows XP Home at the end of this year.

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

A quote within from an unnamed Microsoft representative:
For Windows XP Home Edition, there will be no security updates after 12/31/06.

Is it just me or is Microsoft making more bad moves than at which one might shake a stick lately? I remain greatly unimpressed, and eagerly await news on Intel based Macs from the MWSF conference this week. :)

[AXXESS]

One Home is patched to SP2, is it still considered Home? It drops the "Home" logo on the boot screen once SP2 is installed...

[eric_darling]

Unless you actually upgraded to XP Pro, it's still XP Home according to how your OS is classified by Microsoft.

[AXXESS]

If they're going to stop supporting it, they need to stop selling it...

The support should only stop "X" number of months or years after the product becomes available. Forced upgrades. Ugh.:rolleyes

[AGRO]

....I remain greatly unimpressed, and eagerly await news on Intel based Macs from the MWSF conference this week. :)


I am counting down the days, weeks, hours.


Perfect timing to get me all excited. Just finished formating my Windows boat anchor...I mean machine.

[AGRO]

http://www.maconintel.com/

[AXXESS]

he support should only stop "X" number of months or years after the product becomes available

I meant UNavailable.... :rolleyes

[Corey]

I agree about MS. On the other hand, objectively speaking, Apple makes just as many bad moves, so I hardly see being handcuffed by them instead as a solution. Neither of them is satisfactory in how they treat consumers. I'm saving up for Vista. :yes

[AGRO]

I would love to have a intel mac with dual monitors with mac OS on one screen, and vista on the other screen. Sweetttttttt!!!!!

[Corey]

I imagine someday something similar will occur. It probably won't be cheap at first but inevitably the divisions between platforms will become mostly a formality. I'm all for that. :yes

[Eagle]

this site will give you an idea of official product 'support' lifecycles:

http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=lifecycle

Vista 32 x86 - has been brought forward for RTM release - August 2006(in theory)
--64 bit version ..later ??

Longhorn (server 2K4) .. out in 2009(in theory)

[Eagle]

XPHOME ? extended support has not been given an end date..

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3221

[eric_darling]

Right. However, extended support doesn't include new security patches, which, as we all know by now, are a regular phenomenon.

[Eagle]

have a look here: bit confusing , however updates-specially security patches will continue for XP Home Edition for a few years yet...

just like they do for Windows 2000, p[ost SP4 only which has been around
a lot longer than XP as we know..XPSp2 installed will be the conditional for
XP Home and Pro , I believe..this may allay any doubts, basically MS just can't drop XP home off the security updates extended timeline...

Additionally OEM licensing end dates are a more accurate picture.
You can still download security patches-hotfixes are still available for Win2ksp2 and later.
'Windows Update' - Security bulletin downloads will continue for XP Home....

Home Edition is still being sold OEM style out of the Box.

I think confusion can be the difference between 'hotfix support-new ones' and security updates.
the timelines-support for security updates is a lot longer.

FWIW a security update for XP PRo will be the same for XP Home (post service pack 2 -pretty soon)
for both XP versions.

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifepolicy

[Corey]

Vista will do well out of the gate, if only by virtue of what a patch-pourri XP has become. XP is ancient. Antique software. :eek:

[Eagle]

time will tell yet another MS tale..

What do most 'Security Updates' target anyway:

IE
DX
MP
Mdac
Ofiice 2K and later updates
occassional user32 and kernel32

If Updates (via windows update) or Security Downloads get withdrawn for XPHome Ed, this is an alternate possible pathway:

IE 7, DXv10, MPv11, they all include fixes -known security holes etc for
previous versions, just keep up with these instead. I also think there is
a conditioned 'expectancy' regarding 'I want the latest MS updates'.

I expect-demand Vista to be more secure- etc..
If not I won't be purchasing it, maybe after an SP release, if RTM issues etc.

bring back 'on chip' Oss - update 'em with eprom..

Good thread starter Eric :yes

[Corey]

I expect-demand Vista to be more secure- etc.

They claim it is. How that will actually play out though remains to be seen. Their track record is not exactly stellar, so I remain "optimistically jaded". :D

[eric_darling]

It is likely to be more secure. Having every user be the root in Windows is just crazy. On OS X, you have to type in your user password to install pretty much anything - even as an Admin. I'm sure Vista will employ a similar measure for added security.

[Eagle]

I'll join that club too..She's lookin pretty darn good though,

BTW:Beta2 Public release will be out very shortly, a little birdy informed me,
worth a register and get the DVD or ISO I reckon, test those IR created Apps :yes

Actually Vista is going that way Eric..gotta input a password to run an App requiring full Admin access
(default settings-can be bypassed) Limited accounts will no longer be on the Os Root and more...
-each account has a spuedo registry, when an app runs..does not effect the Core Registry...,
Services will have limited access by Applications in an attempt to stop Trojans and the like.

[Corey]

You bet, our software "knows what time it is " as Flavor Flav says. :yes