Windows 2000 Support Clock Winds Down

By Deborah Rothberg | Posted 2005-06-30

Mainstream support for the Windows 2000 client software has ended. Do you know what to do?

Microsoft is set to phase out mainstream support for its Windows 2000 client and server releases on June 30. Microsoft divides its support lifecycle into two phases: Mainstream and extended. Once a product enters the extended support period, Microsoft charges for support. Windows 2000 is still the operating system of choice for a number of businesses, especially those in the small and midsize business (SMB) space, according to industry watchers, but analysts expect corporate migration to Windows XP to speed up with the end of mainstream support this week.

Earlier this week, the Redmond, Washington software maker made available the Windows 2000 Security Rollup, which includes a list of security-related updates produced for Windows 2000 between the release of Windows 2000 SP4 and April 30, 2005, as well as several important non-security updates.

The following grouping of enterprise and channel-related articles are a comprehensive set of links designed to help you stay informed and help manage Win 2000 support and migration issues. From Microsoft-Watch.com:

Windows 2000 Rollup Available Now

Windows 2000 Update Rollout Ready to Roll

Windows 2000 Users June 30 Is D-Day

Windows 2000 Users The Clock Is Ticking

Bye Bye Windows 2000 Service Pack 5

Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 Is Out From eWEEK.com:

Microsoft Ships Last-Minute Windows 2000 Update Rollup

Microsoft to Roll Out Windows 2000 Update Rollup

IE 70 Leaves Windows 2000 Users Out in the Cold

Five Years Later Windows 2000 Looks Naive

Microsoft Scraps Plans for Windows 2000 SP5

Where is the Windows 2000 Service Pack