Today is the very last day Redmond-based Microsoft will offer support for both Windows XP Service Pack 2 [SP2] and Windows 2000. What does this mean for users? Well, those still using Windows XP SP2 must upgrade to Service Pack 3 [SP3] in order to receive support and hotfixes from Microsoft. However, following the April revision of the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Service Pack Support Policy, the company will still provide customers who choose to stay with Windows XP SP2 with limited troubleshooting support. Prior to the April revision, the company would not offer any kind of assistance to discontinued service pack versions.
As for Windows 2000, which is now out of its extended support phase, Microsoft will definitely not offer any kind of support or troubleshooting assistance to Windows 2000 users — if there are any. Apparently, less than 0.5% of machines connected to the Internet still utilize Windows 2000. The lack of hotfixes, security updates, or even paid support for any type of issues, no matter how severe they are, might force these small amount of Windows 2000 users to upgrade to a more modern operating system.
via Ars Technica