Microsoft has reminded users today that support for Windows 2000 and Windows XP SP2 will end on July 13th, 2010, giving users enough time to upgrade.
After July 13th, there will no longer be any security updates or assisted support and users will be completely on there own. Additionally, Windows 2003 Server will move from “Mainstream Support” to “Extended Support” and will become unsupported in 2015.
Windows 2000 is currently in SP4, and has had all of its other service packs retired in the past decade. Users are encouraged to upgrade, even just to XP SP3. XP Service Pack 2 users are encouraged to update to SP3 (which is free), Vista or 7.
Result for: service pack 2
Microsoft has confirmed that a new updates for users of the Windows 7 beta is coming next week while also adding that a Release Candidate (RC) for the upcoming Service Pack 2 of Windows Vista is being sent out to a few testers.
Windows 7 manager Brandon LeBlanc noted that on February 24th, five test updates would be released which “will allow us to test and verify our ability to deliver and mange the updating of Windows 7”.
LeBlanc did add however that the new updates would not fix any bugs but instead would simply “replace system files with the same version of the file currently on the system”.
The updates will need to be added manually through Windows Updates.
Vista SP2 RC, build 6002.16670.090130, was recently released to Microsoft Connect testers and should soon find its way to a larger range of beta testers.
When the SP2 eventually hits, it will encompass all previous updates and patches for the OS and will include 691 hotfixes, adds the source.
Result for: service pack 2
According to a source over at TechARP, the much anticipated Windows Vista Service Pack 2 should be arriving by April 2009, bringing with it a handful of features that were missing in the disappointing Service Pack 1.
A beta release should be available by February with final release scheduled for April, says the source. The launch will be staggered by user language, with English receiving first, European languages second, Japanese third and Spanish and Chinese versions hitting last.
The update will bring native Blu-ray burning, Bluetooth 2.1, Windows Search 4.0, and a much improved Wi-Fi configuration utility. The pack will also incorporate all security updates that have been released since Service Pack 1.
