Anyone using an older version of Windows than Windows XP Service Pack 2...please consider upgrading your Windows program soon as you are no longer protected with security patches and etc.

Microsoft phases out old Windows
Tuesday, July 18, 2006 1:15 AM PDT

Yes, it's happened. Microsoft, as of July 11, ended support for Windows 98 and Windows Millennium Edition, the key operating system versions that secured Microsoft's dominance in the OS world.

The Redmond, Wash. software giant had threatened to take this step a couple of times in past years, but the worldwide outcry stopped Microsoft in its tracks. It soon renounced its decision, insisting that "OK, we won't do it this year but you had better get ready."

And sure enough, support is over. Support remains strong for all versions of Windows 2000 and Windows XP, with upgrades and security updates available for now.

Microsoft does warn users that it will end support for XP Service Pack 1, a version rendered moot by the major fixes of Service Pack 2. SP1 support ends Oct. 10 of this year.

Microsoft insists support is over, yet it assures people that although there will be no security updates, patches or fixes -- or direct customer support -- users can still find much of the online support documentation and Knowledge Base articles on the retired operating systems at the Microsoft Product Solution Center at support.microsoft.com/gp/hublist.