> Raise the minimum requirements for Gecko 1.9.2 (and any versions of
> Firefox built on 1.9.2) for Windows builds to require Windows XP
> Service Pack 3 or higher.

> Background:

> Supporting multiple OS versions is not zero cost, in terms of testing,
> code complexity and developer sanity.  We have previously raised the
> minimum requirement to Windows 2000 for Firefox 3.  We have also
> raised the minimum requirements for Linux and Mac builds in that same
> timeframe.  While we have not formalized a policy by which we drop
> support for OS versions, in general the main concerns have been how
> recently the OS versions have been available and sold (in some cases)
> as well as the ability and costs involved for users to upgrade.
> Additionally, the continued availability of security updates for the
> OS level is important, as users on unsupported of operating systems,
> especially Windows, are highly vulnerable no matter what we do, so
> there is a strong argument against giving those users a reason to stay
> on that platform.

> On July 13, 2010, Microsoft will end all support for Windows 2000 (all
> service packs) and Windows XP Service Pack 2 (XP SP1 and the original
> XP have already passed their end of support).  This means that after
> this date, these OS versions will not get any security updates and
> will not receive any support from Microsoft.  Service Pack 3 is a free
> upgrade for all XP users.  Windows 2000 has no free upgrade path, but
> has not been available at retail since March 2004, and was last
> legally sold as a preloaded OS in March 2005, which is over four years
> ago, and will be more than five years from when we ship the last
> supported version of Firefox.  Users should be able to successfully
> migrate to XP or Linux if they intend to keep using their old hardware.

> Affected Users:

> All users still running either Windows 2000 or Windows XP Service Pack
> 2 (or lower).  As Service Pack 3 is a free upgrade for XP users, only
> Windows 2000 users will be forced to change their OS to use the next
> version of Firefox.

> As we intend to ship the next version of Firefox in early 2010,
> Firefox 3.5 will continue to be supported under our current support
> policy (six months after the next version) until after those OS
> versions are no longer supported, so users will continue to be
> supported by Mozilla as least as long as their OS is supported.

> Relevant Links:

> General Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy:
> http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/

> Windows Service Pack Support End Dates:
> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifesupsps#Windows

> Windows 2000 Support Lifecycle
> http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3071

> Windows Life-Cycle Policy (licensing availability)
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx