End of Support for Microsoft Windows Products – What does it mean?
Windows Operating Systems life cycle report, which Microsoft maintains, provides end-of-support dates for each of Microsoft’s Windows products. Based on the report, support for Windows Vista happens in April of 2017.
Source: Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet – Dec 2016
The life cycle report contains specific information which users need to understand. Terms included in the report, such as End of Mainstream Support and End of Extended Support, can be confusing. Per a Networkworld.com article : “Ending mainstream support for a product means Microsoft will no longer be enhancing that product. What it does NOT mean is there will no longer be fixes for security and reliability issues.” The article goes on to say, “When extended support ends, you can no longer count on any security patches or reliability patches.”
Microsoft Windows Vista – Extended Support Ending April 2017
Many Windows users remember the end of extended support for Windows XP in April 2014. Likewise, Windows Vista is scheduled to meet its life cycle end in April of 2017. The Vista operating system has an interesting life span. Its introduction, in early 2007 was designed to replace the popular Windows XP. Vista design included improvements in graphics, networking and security over its predecessor. However, it drew criticism for its heavy resource requirements, restrictions for the copying of protected digital media, longer boot times as well as other issues. As as result, its satisfaction and initial adoption rates were lower than those of Windows XP.
Our analysis shows the current installed base percentages for each of the major Microsoft Windows operating systems. Vista usage represents a fairly small percentage, 4%, of the total Windows installed base.
What should you do if you have Windows Vista?
If you are still using Vista, you don’t have to do anything. Just as the Windows XP end of extended support came and went in 2014, your Vista operating system will continue to work after April 2017. Be aware that Microsoft won’t be generating any updates or security patches after support is discontinued. If you are a satisfied Vista user, continue to use it. PC Pitstop recommends that you have a good security product (like PC Matic’s SuperShield) and that you maintain proper backups. However, if you are ready for an OS update take a look at Windows 10. You may like it.
