Every piece of software released by Microsoft has an expiration date. Known as the End of Life event, this is when Microsoft ceases to support the software. It’s imperative that you stay on top of EOL dates for the sake of your company’s operations and data security. Take for example the dozens of software titles that expired just this past April.
Now, before we go down the list of Microsoft’s recently expired software, let’s first go over the two separate steps taken by Microsoft to end support. After a software is on the market for a few years, Microsoft first ends mainstream support, which effectively ends major upgrades like adding new features. A few years later, Microsoft ends extended support. This second date is the EOL event that you need to be concerned about because the software will no longer receive security-related patches and updates (which will leave your data vulnerable).
As previously mentioned, April was a big month for Microsoft as they pulled the plug on dozens of titles. To get you caught up, here’s everything that happened on April 12th, 2016.
Mainstream Support Ended For:
- Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization 2.0
- Microsoft Fable III for PC
- Microsoft Lync 2010
- Microsoft Lync 2010 Attendant
- Microsoft Lync 2010 Attendee
- Microsoft Lync 2010 Group Chat
- Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Enterprise Edition
- Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Group Chat Software Development Kit
- Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Software Development Kit
- Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Math 4.0
Extended Support Ended For:
- Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
- Microsoft Customer Care Framework
- Microsoft Customer Care Framework 2005
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for Embedded Systems
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition for Itanium-based Systems
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard X64 Edition
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition
- Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2006
- Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition
- Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition
- Microsoft Visual J# 2005 Express Edition
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Standard Edition academic license
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Architects
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Developers
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Testers
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Test Load Agent
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the Microsoft Office System
- Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition
- Windows Embedded for Point of Service
- Service Pack 3 for Windows Embedded for Point of Service
Do any of these titles look familiar? If you’re running software that has reached the end of its mainstream support, then you shouldn’t have to worry, but it’s important to be mindful that the EOL date is only a few years away. If you’re running software that’s no longer being supported with security updates, then you need to take action immediately and upgrade to a newer software that’s being supported. And if you’re altogether unsure what the status of your company’s software is, then give Evolve IT a call at (518) 203-2110 for an IT assessment. We’ll take the time to look for vulnerabilities with your IT system, which includes looking for expired software.
Don’t take a gamble by running risky software. Call Evolve IT today!
