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Support Deadline Looms for Windows NT

Mainstream support for Windows NT 4.0 Server ends on Dec. 31, a deadline Microsoft formally set a year ago and reaffirmed with a new support retirement policy in October. Support for several other more minor server products will also expire at the end of this year.

Microsoft is officially retiring mainstream support on Dec. 31 for Windows NT 4.0 Server, Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition and Windows NT 4.0 Server, Terminal Server. Mainstream support will also end on the 31st for Internet Information Server 4.0, Routing and Remote Access Service, Zero Admin for NT 4 and Services for NetWare 4.0.

The company's October policy defines mainstream support as including no-charge incidents, paid incidents, hourly incidents, hourly charges, warranty claims and hotfix assistance.

On all of the above products, Microsoft will offer Extended Support until Dec. 31, 2003. Extended support may include hourly charges and paid hotfix support, but customers who think they want it must purchase a contract within 90 days after mainstream support ends.

Another set of major deadlines comes up in the middle of next year. On June 30, extended support ends for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition and Windows NT 4.0 Workstation.

Microsoft's support timeline and policies may be found here:
support.microsoft.com/lifecycle.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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