Support for Windows XP

Important notice for users of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3): The support for this product ends April 8, 2014. To ensure that you will receive all important security updates for Windows you need to upgrade to a later version such as Windows 7.

For more information, see Support is ending for some versions of Windows.

Support options and resources

+ Explore your self-support options

+ Ask the community

+ Ask Microsoft

Technical support options

You may be entitled to free warranty support from your OEM (original equipment manufacturer)
Visit our OEM contact page to learn how to tell whether your installation is OEM and to browse contact information for many OEMs. If your Microsoft product was preinstalled, distributed with your computer, or obtained as an upgrade directly from your computer manufacturer, the primary source for support is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) who provided the Microsoft product.

To contact a Microsoft Support Professional, click on the product and version below that is applicable to you. We’ll ask you a few questions to help us determine what your support options are. The support options may include email, on-line submission or phone support.

To find out what version you have, click the Start button, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.

Get non-technical or customer service assistance
For general inquiries about Microsoft products and services visit our Contact Us page.

Technical support options for work

IT Pros: Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your TechNet Subscription
As a TechNet Plus subscriber, you are entitled to receive two (2) complimentary incidents and a 20 percent discount on any additional phone incidents you purchase. Learn more.

Developers: Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your MSDN Subscription
As an MSDN Subscriber, you may be entitled to receive up to four (4) technical support incidents depending on your subscription level. These support incidents can be used to resolve technical break-fix issues in a non-production environment and are the equivalent of paid Professional Support incidents. You can use a technical support incident to find a solution to a production issue if you can replicate that issue in a non-production environment. Learn more.

Microsoft Premier Online (MPO)
Microsoft Premier Customers: Visit the Microsoft Premier Online (MPO) site.

Microsoft Partners: Access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network.

Microsoft Software Assurance
Get volume licensing and additional benefits with the Microsoft Software Assurance program.

+ Browse related solution centers

Top issues

Resolve issues with these top solutions

Troubleshoot no sound problems in Windows
Troubleshoot no sound problems in Windows

FAQ: Genuine Windows
Review common questions and answers about Windows Genuine and associated error messages.

Printer problems in Windows
Use this tutorial to identify and fix common printer problems in Windows.

Wired and wireless network connection problems in Windows
Walk though this tutorial to resolve problems with wired and wireless network connections in Windows.

Resolving a corrupted profile issue
Learn how to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile.

Problems opening the User Accounts item in Control Panel
Resolve the problems when you cannot open the User Accounts item in Control Panel.

"Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows could not start" error messages
Troubleshoot "Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows could not start" error messages when you start your computer.

Browse related solution centers

To learn more about related products or topics, click on a solution center listed below.

Learn more

Using Windows XP

Windows XP Help & How-to
Visit the Windows XP Help & How-to pages for more information.

Differences between 32-bit version or 64-bit versions of the Windows operating system
Learn how to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system.

Use this Fix it to enable "Run As" in Windows XP
Learn how you can enable and use the "Run As" command when running programs in Windows.

Manually removing programs from Control Panel
Get steps to manually remove programs from Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.

Changing drive letter assignments in Windows XP
Use these steps to change the drive letter assignments.

Migrating to Windows 7

Upgrade to Windows 7 today
Get Windows 7 today and be more secure.

Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7
Get step by step guidance on how to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7.

Migration From Windows XP to Windows 7 (video)
Watch this video to observe the migration process from Windows XP to Windows 7.

Support lifecycle

Learn more about Windows XP support lifecycle

Support lifecycle policy page
Visit the Microsoft support lifecycle policy page to view Microsoft’s guidelines for product support from availability to end of product support lifecycle.

Support for Windows XP SP2 has ended
Support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) ended on July 13, 2010.

Windows XP support lifecycle policies
View the support lifecycle policy information for the Windows XP family of products.