Microsoft has just announced that it will extend the free-time Mainstream Support for Windows XP operating system versions.

Especially in addition to the above technical support period, Microsoft enterprise customers also enjoy the Extended Support period. This period lasts 5 years.

Microsoft extends free support for Windows XP images 1 Accordingly, Windows XP Home Editon and Windows XP Media Center Edition versions will also receive Microsoft support until April 2009. Extended support for these two versions of Windows XP lasts until 2014.

Users of Windows XP Professional versions also enjoy new support policies from Microsoft.

During the Mainstream Support free phase, Microsoft will provide customers with free patches - both security and common errors. However, customers will have to pay to receive these patches during the Extended Support extended period.

Under the previous plan, Microsoft will be able to end all free support for Windows XP operating system this year to make way for Windows Vista to gradually dominate the market. However, the world's No. 1 software maker's move seems to go against that plan.

On January 30, Vista will officially launch the global user community.

Hoang Dung