PC Help: Lasting Windows XP support

How long will support last for Windows XP now that Vista is here?

Written by Tim Smith and Anthony Dhanendran

Computeract!ve, 04 Aug 2008

Q I am concerned that now Windows Vista has been released, support will end for Windows XP and I will have no alternative but to upgrade. As I have several computers at home this will become very expensive. There are alternatives for Mac and Linux but these will take time to learn. How long will I be able to use Windows XP and stay safe?
Stephen Mark

A The good news is that Microsoft will be providing support for Windows XP for some years to come. Full support for Windows XP should continue for another 18 months. After this comes a further five years of extended support. This support includes security updates through Windows Update. You can find specific details of Windows XP Home support and XP Pro support.

Tags:

reader comments

related articles

 
Software

Windows XP SP3 hits the web

Service Pack 3 reaches automatic update 07 May 2008

Bill Gates’ makes swansong speech at CES

Bill Gates has made his final speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas 08 Jan 2008

Conflicted role weakens Insolvency Service

The Insolvency Service is viewed by almost half of professionals as being weakened by conflicts between its role as a regulator, licensing authority and manager of business failures 31 Jul 2008

related whitepapers

today's top stories

Communications

WiMax: Threat or opportunity?

We examine the merits of WiMax and its benefits relative to other wireless technologies in our latest video 13 Oct 2008

The Big Picture

Learning from the credit crunch to avoid a broadband crunch

While it might be the most pressing issue de jour , the financial system isn’t the only area where government needs to... 10 Oct 2008

Management

How careerism can warp IT procurement

Many working in IT put their career interests before those of their employer when weighing up purchasing options 10 Oct 2008

Software

The definitive guide to software development

Five key trends and five best practice tips to help you improve your programming capabilities 09 Oct 2008

Management

Computing podcast - IT implications of the banking crisis, and the FSA clamps down on IT security

We discuss the effect of shotgun mergers and acquisitions on financial services IT staff, and examine the industry regulator's plan to fine directors for information security breaches 09 Oct 2008

> More news

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Jobs

Related jobs

Job of the week

> More IT vacancies

Job alerts

  • Latest jobs to your inbox
Sign up here

Find your next job


IT Salary Checker

  • Are you being paid what you are worth?
Check salary here

Advertisement

White papers

Search white papers

Top categories

VPN, Extranet and Intranet Solutions

WAN/ LAN Solutions

Network Security

Interoperability-Connectivity

Grid/ Utility Computing

Latest poll

Are you worried about your job prospects in IT over the next 12 months?

Are you worried about your job prospects in IT over the next 12 months?

Will the economic crisis affect your job prospects?

Previous poll results

> More polls

Latest audio and video articles

Remote workerVideo

WiMax: Threat or opportunity?

We examine the merits of WiMax and its benefits relative to other wireless technologies in our latest video 13 Oct 2008

programming codeVideo

The definitive guide to software development

Five key trends and five best practice tips to help you improve your programming capabilities 09 Oct 2008

> More audio and video

Latest in-depth articles

Financial Services Authority buildingAnalysis

FSA threatens executives with fines

Senior management to be held accountable for security lapses at banks 09 Oct 2008

Comment

Broadband must be a spending priority

For the economic health of the nation, the government would do better to bankroll an optical fibre rollout rather than prop up profligate banks 09 Oct 2008

> More in depth articles

Advertisement

Primary Navigation