The year 2010 marks the end of certain lifecycles for several Microsoft servers and operating systems. We wanted to draw our clients’ attention to these specific dates and products so as to generate awareness on the proper upgrades needed in order to maintain Microsoft support and updates.
Operating Systems
Regarding operating systems (OS), Windows Vista Release to Manufacturing (RTM) no longer receives mainstream support as of April 13, 2010. Anyone still running this OS should migrate to Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) or consider upgrading to Windows 7. The other important and pending date is July 13, 2010. On that day, businesses running Windows XP SP2 or Windows 2000 Professional SP4 will lose their Microsoft extended support and should migrate to Windows XP SP3 or upgrade to Windows 7. Microsoft’s suggestion is to take this deadline as an opportunity to upgrade to the new Windows 7 as the cost in time and resources will be practically indistinguishable between an upgrade to the latest Windows OS and a new service pack. Please note that anyone still running Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) must now upgrade to Windows 7 RTM as the license expired on June 1st.
A final note on Windows XP SP2: if you are running the 64-bit version then SP2 is the latest service pack and you will be eligible for Microsoft support and updates until April 8, 2014. Only those running the 32-bit version of XP require an upgrade. Find out which version you are running by right-clicking My Computer and then click Properties. If you do not see a “64-bit” listed then you are running the 32-bit version.
Servers
July 13th also marks the end of extended support for Windows 2000 Server SP4. Microsoft’s suggestion is a migration to the Windows Server 2008.
The decision to purchase a new business server is not a light one; much time and consideration should pass before a decision is made. We at Bryley do not suggest a rash upgrade, but if you have already been giving the matter careful thought, keep in mind that Microsoft is currently running The Big Easy 4.1 through July 2, 2010, and that the Windows Server 2008 as well as many other servers are on the list of qualifying products. Compared to previous versions, the latest Big Easy offer has increased payout rates for Windows Servers in the form of partner subsidies. All the more incentive to upgrade now, but again only if you have already sunk enough thought into the matter.
Conclusion
It is not advisable to continue to run a desktop operating system or server that is no longer supported. You can no longer receive service from Microsoft if you have any troubles and you will no longer receive any updates. It is best to begin your decision making processes with regards to the appropriate upgrades.
To quote directly from the Microsoft Partner Network, “After this date [July 13, 2010], customers still relying on these products won’t be able to benefit from security hotfixes, patches and service packs, presenting serious concerns around data security, reliability for mission-critical workloads and regulatory compliance.”
Want to learn more?
Contact Bryley today. We are a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and can field all of your questions.
Call 888.280.5799
Email Sales@Bryley.com
To learn more about the end of Microsoft support, please visit the following sites:
https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40131469
https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40129890
To learn more about Microsoft’s Big Easy 4.1, please visit the following site:
www.microsoftincentives.com/bigeasy
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