Microsoft Ices Windows XP SP1
Microsoft pulls the plug on support for Windows XP SP1 and SP1a with security updates.
October 12, 2006
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As of Wednesday, Microsoft will no longer support Windows XP SP1 and SP1a with security updates, although the day before it issued patches for 10 vulnerabilities affecting the operating system, 2 of which were judged "critical."
Months ago, Microsoft began warning XP SP1/SP1a users that support would end Oct. 10, and urged them to update to Windows XP SP2. As a parting gift, however, Microsoft released 10 patches for XP SP1/SP1a that included 2 pegged critical, 3 as "important," 2 "moderate," and 3 as "low."
Under Microsoft's current lifecycle policy, it promises to support Service Packs with security updates for 12-24 months after the release of a succeeding SP. Windows XP as a whole will age out of support only after two years have passed from the time Windows Vista is officially released.
Windows XP SP2, the free-of-charge update first issued in 2004, can be downloaded from the Microsoft Web site.
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