MS Extends XP Home, MCE Support

Microsoft said Wednesday it has added an Extended Support phase to the consumer versions of Windows XP: Home Edition and Media Center Edition. The five-year Extended Support normally applies only to the business versions of Windows.

With the change, Mainstream Support for Windows XP Home and Media Center will last through April 2009, while Extended Support runs through April 2014 - just like it does for Windows XP Professional. During the Mainstream Support phase, Microsoft provides non-security fixes to customers free of charge. During the Extended phase, those customers must sign an agreement with Microsoft and pay a fee for any updates.