Microsoft has announced that it is ending support for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Windows 2000 (desktop and server). Support for Windows Vista without any service packs already ended on April 13, 2010. Now, support for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) will end on July 13, 2010. According to Microsoft, self-help online support will be available for at least one more year. But paid support, support assistance, and security updates will be discontinued strictly on July 13, 2010.
End of support means, unsupported versions of Windows will no longer receive software updates from Windows Update. These include security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, which can steal your personal information.
Microsoft recommends that you upgrade to Windows 7 or install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), a free update. Note that there is no SP3 for the 64-bit version of Windows XP. So, if you’re running the 64-bit version of Windows XP with SP2, you will continue to be eligible for support and receive updates until April 8, 2014.