Windows 2000 moves to the back burner

Microsoft on Tuesday issued what is expected to be its last significant revision of Windows 2000.

The software maker released what it calls an Update Rollup for the 5-year-old operating system, which is due to shift at the end of this month from receiving mainstream support to extended support. Microsoft does not generally add features to a product under extended support, and the Update Rollup is largely a collection of previously released patches as opposed to a batch of new features.

In addition to already released fixes, the collection "may contain fixes for non-public low- and moderate-level security issues that did not warrant individual security bulletins," a Microsoft representative said.

The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker said last November that it would release the Update Rollup rather than offer a fifth service pack. As a result, the final service pack for Windows 2000 becomes the SP4 release that came out in March 2003.

Although Windows 2000 has been followed by several other Windows versions, the software remains extremely popular in corporations and small businesses. It still accounts for nearly half of all Windows-based business desktops, according to a recent survey by AssetMetrix.

[My-Self]

How to force useless upgrade ...

If this many people are still using Win2000 it's because Win XP only added gadgets on top of it.

Users who don't need the eye candy / childish look don't need to upgrade.

But if Win98's fate is any indication, we'll be forced to move (buy Windows all over again) pretty soon. Linux is still missing some apps. but looking better every year. My next machine will probably be at least a dual boot.

[Scott W]

i would recommend that

i have a dual boot with 2000/SuSE linux. 2000 is so much better than XP it isn't even funny. XP just adds a load of needless bloat and i urge people that have not upgraded to stick with 2000. then again, people that have 2000 are smart enough to not upgrade to XP.

[Jonathan]

Being strongarmed? Think bittorrent.

n/t

[aabcdefghij987654321]

Huh?

How does using bittorrent help in this situation? It's just a file sharing application. Furthermore, no one is being strong armed. No one has to upgrade. If you are happy with Windows 2000, keep using it for the next 20 or more years. I know people still using Windows 3.11 and they are not about to upgrade even to Windows 2000.

Win. 2000 better

The reason most businesses use win. 2000 is becuase it's a better OS then XP, I know because I use them both.The reason for individuals (no activation).

[sanenazok]

and less

bloatware, I mean MS features. When I got my laptop in 2002, I had a choice between 2000 and XP. I chose 2000 even though I'm a home user and have been extremely happy with it since. I have a faster CPU desktop with XP on it, and I avoid using it since XP annoys me. Even in Classic Mode, it still slows the system considerably with worthless eyecandy.