Earlier this year Microsoft ended support for Windows XP as well as ending support for Word 2003. This was not the end, though, as the list is going to grow extensively by January 2015. If you’re using Microsoft products for your small business, it is a good idea to look over the list and understand how the changes may affect you.
Microsoft will end support for the following products on October 14, 2014: Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004 Standard Edition Windows CE 5.0
Additionally, these Microsoft products will no longer be supported by Microsoft by January 13, 2015:
- Systems Management Server 2003
- Systems Management Server 2003 R2
- Host Integration Server 2004 Developer Edition
- Host Integration Server 2004 Standard Edition
- Host Integration Server 2004 Enterprise Edition
- Virtual Server 2005 Management Pack
- Virtual Server 2005 Enterprise Edition
- Virtual Server 2005 R2 Standard Edition
- Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition
- Virtual Server 2005 Standard Edition
- Visual FoxPro 9.0 Professional Edition
End of support means that Microsoft will no longer provide free or paid support options or online technical content updates. It also means they will no longer provide security updates or non-security hotfixes. While the non-security type updates can be a nuisance to no longer have, no longer having security updates can open the door to a whole slew of problems including compromising both yours and your client’s information. If you continue to use these products beyond the end of support, you are opening your business up to vulnerability to security attacks.
Microsoft is also announcing that they will be retiring several service packs by early next year. Once retired, these service packs, too, will no longer receive updates.
Support will end on October 14, 2014 for:
Office 2010 Service Pack 1 and Share Point Server 2010 Server Pack 1
Additionally, support will end for these service packs on January 15, 2015:
- Visual Studio 2012 Test Professional
- Visual Studio 2012 Remote Tools
- Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows 8
- Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows Desktop
- Visual Studio Express 2012 for Web
Microsoft has also announced that some products will be transitioning from Mainstream Support to Extended Support. During this time, they will not accept requests for design changes or the addition of new features.
Extended support on these products will continue for five years. Security updates will be provided for free, but hotfix support will have a fee.
View a full list of the products that Microsoft is transitioning to Extended Support.
At Visual Edge IT, our Houston IT Support service experts are here to help if you need additional guidance. Give us a call today!