Microsoft extends support for XP Home, XP Media Center

Would you like some extra support with that software?

That’s what Microsoft is now offering buyers of Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Media Center Edition. The company announced on Wednesday that it is adding five-year customer support for the operating systems, marking the first time that such extended service has been offered with a Microsoft consumer product.

The “extended” support, which kicks in after April 2009, will bring the two products on par with Microsoft’s Windows XP Professional for businesses. Microsoft previously reserved its five-year extended support feature to only enterprise-grade products.

Under Microsoft’s Support Lifecyle Policy, consumers and businesses both receive “mainstream” support for their products. XP Home Edition and XP Media Center will see mainstream support end in April 2009, which includes paid support, security updates, design changes and feature requests.

Full article: CNET News.com