Operating System Life Cycles

Background

In common with many other software vendors, we are constantly reviewing our policies regarding support of the various 'flavours' of Microsoft Windows. Continuing to support outdated versions of Windows can restrict our ability to develop new product features, which is clearly not a situation which benefits our customers. Like Microsoft themselves, we will therefore phase out support of each version of Windows over time, as listed below. This information is provided to help you decide how best to manage your own resources for use with our software, and is under constant review.

The table below shows the date when each version was generally available, the date when Microsoft themselves ceased mainstream support, and the date when we will cease product support.

When we cease product support on a given operating system, this means that we will no longer:

• actively validate new products or new product releases
• state that products or product releases will work as intended
• undertake to provide fixes for platform-specific problems

In short, although you may find that your current software and any new versions of it may continue to work on unsupported platforms, we cannot guarantee it.

Please note also that due to product functionality, certain products or cost options may only be available on certain platforms. The fact that a platform is 'supported' does not mean that all products and options will run or be supported on it. Any restrictions will be detailed in the documentation for the product.

Life Cycle Dates

* Vista will become a supported platform with the first release of each product after Vista itself is available, unless otherwise stated in the relevant documentation for that product.

All dates are subject to change without notice, and any dates given must not be taken as a statement of contract.