Windows lifecycle fact sheet

Every Windows product has a lifecycle. The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it's no longer supported or sold. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to upgrade or make other changes to your software. Here are the rights and limits of the Windows lifecycle.

End of support

End of support refers to the date when Microsoft no longer provides automatic fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. This is the time to make sure you have the latest available service pack installed. Without Microsoft support, you will no longer receive security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software that can steal your personal information.


Desktop operating systems Date of general availability Retail software end of sales End of sales for PCs with Windows preinstalled Latest service pack End of mainstream support End of extended support
Windows XP December 31, 2001 June 30, 2008 October 22, 2010 Service Pack 3 April 14, 2009 April 8, 2014
Windows Vista January 30, 2007 October 22, 2010 October 22, 2011 Service Pack 2 April 10, 2012 April 11, 2017
Windows 7 October 22, 2009 To be determined To be determined Service Pack 1 January 13, 2015 January 14, 2020
Windows 8 October 30, 2012 To be determined To be determined Not yet available January 9, 2018 January 10, 2023

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