Question: I am hoping someone can explain in simple terms, what it really means that windows XP will be [end of life](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/products/lifecycle)?

It looks like SP2 is already not being patched, but maybe SP3 is going to be patched up until 4/18/2014?

So I assume that means there will be windows update patches available until that date?

What happens after that, no patches at all?

That means the potential for hacks, virus, etc. are greatly increased?

Answer: 
Simply put EOL means no patches no support. From <http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-gb&C2=1173> "Support ends 24 months after the next service pack releases or at the end of the product's support lifecycle, whichever comes first. For more information, please see the service pack policy..."

For service packs:

"Security updates released with bulletins from the Microsoft Security Response Center will be reviewed and built for the supported service packs only. Daylight Savings Time and Time Zone updates are built for fully supported service packs only."

XP SP2 is EOL

XP SP3 has a supported end date of 4/21/2010 that is when mainstream support ended. XP is in the extended support phase, so only security fixes will be available until 2014 (if I read the chart correctly). As always it's best to get information like this from the vendor.

As far as impact, it's a cost to upgrade so businesses need to evaluate whether or not to upgrade. Many companies have realized that newer machines come with win 7 licenses so there is no upgrade price.
[This Microsoft Table](http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?sort=PN&alpha=Windows%20XP&Filter=FilterNO) and the [revelant article](http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifepolicy) to crossmatch with Extended Support,Mainstream support etc. In windows XP terms it means upgrade where possible.

> 
> It looks like SP2 is already not being patched, but maybe SP3 is going
>  to be patched up until 4/18/2014?
> 
> 
> 

That's not the case for Service Packs and I quote from the link

> 
> Support ends 24 months after the next service pack releases or at the
>  end of the product's support lifecycle, whichever comes first. For
>  more information, please see the service pack policy at
>  <http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/#ServicePackSupport> .
> 
> 
> 

Windows XP is now on the Extended Support. 
Basically no warranty-claims,charging for incidents,etc.