Microsoft extends the life cycle of Vista and Windows 7

Microsoft
announced the extension of the Windows Vista and Windows 7 lifecycle. The life cycle of Windows Vista will end on April 11, 2017, while Windows 7 will be on January 14, 2020. However, this is for Windows Vista and Windows 7 Extended Support, while Mainstream Support for Windows Vista and Windows 7 is still as of April 10, 2012 and January 13, 2015, respectively. In other words, the mainstream technical support for the consumer version of Windows Vista will end in less than two months.

When mainstream support ends Windows's entry into the extended support phase, Microsoft no longer provides feature updates for it, and only provides paid technical support services to users. Microsoft will still provide security patches during the extended support phase.

For everyone familiar with Windows XP, Microsoft has previously said that it will not extend the Windows XP life cycle. Windows XP will end its lifecycle in April 2014, when Microsoft will terminate all technical support.

Windows Vista Support Cycle: