Does MS Still Support XP?

Joe,

My interpretation is that 8 April was the last date on which Microsoft would provide NEW updates for XP systems.   Since some people always wait a few days, to let others test updates for problems, I would assume these updates would remain available for at least a month.   In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that these --- and prior XP --- updates, will remain accessible "indefinitely", for the sake of users that opt/need to reinstall XP from scratch.   [However, I can't guarantee this to be the case, should anyone actually need to do so.]

I just don't expect to find additional updates next month.   On that basis, I have turned off automatic updates, as well as DISabled the Automatic Update Service on my XP system (to save it from running, using CPU cycles and "eating" RAM).

I suspect your interpretation is correct, ky.

XP users who have yet to get the latest (and last) patches, should get them while they are still available, and not assume they will be offered forever.

Also, disabling the Automatic Updates service (Start>Run>services.msc) not only disables Automatic Updates, but also the ability to access the Microsoft Update & Windows Update websites to manually download these last patches.  Folks should get all the critical/security patches before they disable this service. I agree this service running in XP serves no useful function once one has downloaded/installed all the patches available, and I too have disabled it. (This can be reversed if MS relents and releases any further patches for XP - not that I'm holding my breath for that eventuality).

I think we ought to point out that people who still use MSE on XP *DO* need to keep the Update Service running, so that they can continue to receive virus definition updates.

I believe that is also true for those still using Windows Defender anti-spyware, where the definition updates always came from MSU for my XP.

I think we ought to point out that people who still use MSE on XP *DO* need to keep the Update Service running, so that they can continue to receive virus definition updates.