 | ISSUE DATE NOVEMBER 30, 2010
This quarterly newsletter delivers Microsoft Support Lifecycle related product support news, guidance, updates, and community resources directly to your inbox. View an online version of this newsletter here. If you have any questions about the information in this newsletter, please contact your Microsoft Sales Account Manager, Microsoft Technical Account Manager or Microsoft Partner. | | | NOTES FROM THE EDITOR | 
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Welcome to the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Quarterly Lifeline Newsletter. For those of you who have been receiving our newsletter for a while, you'll notice a dramatic change in the format and layout. With the fifth anniversary of the newsletter upon us, we decided it was time to refresh our approach. All of the same valuable content on product support transitions will still be included in the newsletter.
So what's changing? Based on your feedback, we have revitalized the content and format, including reducing the number of sections in the newsletter and adding a "Spotlight" feature to highlight major Support Lifecycle updates. We've also infused an "In the News" section in the sidebar to highlight Support Lifecycle press coverage from around the web. It's also worth noting that the newsletter is now posted on our external website. Going forward, you'll be able visit our website and access not only our current newsletter content but also the archived versions.
I hope that you like this new format and that you'll encourage interested colleagues to subscribe. Thanks for being with us over the last five years, and we look forward to continuing to support you in the future!
Jared Proudfoot
Director, Microsoft Support Lifecycle, Microsoft Services | | | SPOTLIGHT |
| |  Support for Exchange 2000 Server and SQL Server 7.0 Ends on January 11, 2011: How to Keep Your Computers Secure When Support Ends
After this date, as per the Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy for Business and Developer products, customers will not have access to the following for these two products: - New security updates
- Non-security hotfixes
- Free or paid assisted support options
- Option to engage Microsoft product development resources
- Updates to online content, such as Knowledge Base articles
Note: Existing online content may be available while the product is still within the Online Self-Help Support phase. Running unsupported products presents a significant security risk to your computers and IT systems since new vulnerabilities will not be mitigated by Microsoft for these products. While unsupported products are installed on your computers, they will be more difficult for you to protect and will expose your computers and network to a greater risk of attack.
Our recommendation for you if you are running Exchange 2000 Server and SQL Server 7.0:
- Upgrade to the latest, supported product: Migrating to the latest, supported product is your best defense. Supported products have security patches available to mitigate new threats. Other support benefits that help you manage any issues that may arise-such as access to non-security hotfixes and online resources-are also available from Microsoft for supported products. More information on the support benefits available during the different phases of the Microsoft Support Lifecycle is available here.
New products-such as Exchange Server 2010 and SQL Server 2008 R2-offer a rich set of new features and functionality that provide greater value for our customers. For more information, read the Top Reasons to Try Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 and What's New in SQL Server 2008 R2.
- Availability of Custom Support to help bridge the support gap: For customers who will not be able to complete their migrations by January 2011, and absolutely need additional support from Microsoft for Exchange 2000 Server or SQL Server 7.0, Microsoft provides an option called Custom Support.
The Custom Support offerings give customers with Premier Support the opportunity to receive support on earlier versions of some Microsoft products and service packs that have reached the end of support. With this offering, customers have access to support benefits, such as security updates, while they complete their migration to a supported product or service pack. As a result, customers have more flexibility in determining when support ends for a product and can plan their migrations based on their specific business needs. We advise customers who are running Exchange 2000 Server or SQL Server 7.0 to contact their Microsoft Sales Account Manager or Technical Account Manager to discuss their support options and migration plans. | | | KEY SUPPORT TRANSITIONS |
| | Office XP: Extended Support Ends July 12, 2011
After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide any public support, including security hotfixes, for the product.
Read More »
| | | POLICY UPDATES |
| | Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy for Microsoft Mediaroom 1.1 System Software, Service Pack Support Policy
Microsoft is committed to providing its customers and partners with product support that maximizes their investments in Microsoft technology and delivers the most value to their business. As a reflection of this commitment, Microsoft has formalized the Support Lifecycle Policy for the Microsoft Mediaroom 1.1 System Software. Publishing support guidelines for the Mediaroom 1.1 System Software gives Microsoft Mediaroom customers and partners the opportunity to optimize their infrastructure and plan their product upgrades.
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For more information about this policy and Mediaroom 1.1 System Software that is transitioning out of support over the next 24 months, view this summary.
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