Microsoft has released an online document in which the product support lifecycles are stated. According to it software and hardware product support is limited to 5 years after release. An extented support of additional two years is purchaseable for corporate versions. After the maximum of seven year support only online resources like knowledge base and FAQ's will be maintained for a timeframe of 8 years+.
In addition Microsoft has adopted a new Service Pack policy. Customers can receive support for the current and immediately preceding service pack, rather than only the most current service pack. This new support policy permits customers to receive existing hotfixes, or request new hotfixes, for the current shipping service pack, the immediately preceding service pack or both, during the mainstream phase. This new policy takes effect with most of the products that are currently available through retail purchase or volume licensing and future release products beginning October 15, 2002.


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