Microsoft warns of support changes to Windows Server

Microsoft warned customers yesterday that it will retire Windows Server 2000 from support next summer, and at the same time shift the newer Windows Server 2003 to limited support.

The 10-month warning -- Microsoft will drop support for Windows 2000 Server in July -- is a little unusual for the company, which often reminds users much closer to the support shift dates. Last February, for example, Microsoft alerted Windows XP users of the impending April move from what the company calls "mainstream" support into its "extended" support phase.

By Microsoft policy, mainstream support delivers free fixes -- for security patches and other bug fixes -- to everyone. During extended support, all users receive all security updates, but nonsecurity hot fixes are provided only to companies that have signed support contracts with Microsoft.

:story: Full story: Computerworld