Frequently asked questions about the end of support notification for Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) (920682)

MORE INFORMATION

Q1: What is the message that Microsoft is sending regarding the end of support for Windows XP SP1?

A1: After October 10, 2006, Microsoft will no longer support Windows XP SP1. Therefore, Microsoft will no longer create security updates for Windows XP SP1.

This unsupported status means that Microsoft will no longer provide assisted support for Windows XP SP1. However, you can still obtain Online Support Content for Windows XP SP1. This Online Support Content includes content such as troubleshooting information, "How-to" information, and configuration information for earlier versions of Windows XP.

Note In August 2004, Microsoft stopped supporting the original release version of Windows XP. The original release version is also known as the release to manufacturing (RTM) version.

For more information about the Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about the Microsoft adjustment to end of support dates for current products and for future products, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Q2: Why do I receive this information as a Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Notification message?

A2: Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications is designed to notify you of the status of your Windows-based system. Windows Genuine Advantage is not designed as a general purpose messaging system. You receive this information as a Windows Genuine Advantage Notification message because Windows Genuine Advantage has detected that the operating system has reached the end of its support life cycle. Therefore, the operating system is in a non-supported state. When a product has passed the date where support ends, you no longer receive security updates or product support updates. Therefore, to help make sure that you receive the latest security updates and product support updates, we recommend that you obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP.

Q3: Does this message appear on a computer that is joined to a domain?

A3: No. A computer that is joined to a domain does not receive the Windows Genuine Advantage Notification message regarding the end of support for Windows XP SP1.

Q4: What do I have to do to keep Windows XP up to date?

A4: To keep Windows XP up to date, install the latest Windows XP service pack. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: You can also install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) by using the Automatic Updates feature in Windows or by visiting the following Microsoft Windows Update Web site: You can also order the Windows XP SP2 CD from Microsoft. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about how to install Windows XP SP2, visit one of the following Microsoft Web sites:For more information about how to contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain help with questions that you may have when you install Windows XP SP2, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note Microsoft Product Support Services has waived support costs for installation support calls that are related to the download of Windows XP SP2 and to the installation of Windows XP SP2.

Q5: How do I disable the message after I have viewed it?

A5: If you click the notification message, you are taken to the Windows XP SP2 Upgrade Web site. After you install Windows XP SP2, the notification message no longer appears.

Also, you can temporarily disable Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications. To do this, right-click the Notifier icon in the notification area, click Change Notifications Settings, and then follow the prompts. The notification messages will be disabled until a new release of the Notification Update. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: