At the end of March 2008, on the heels of Windows Vista SP1's availability to the general public via Windows Update and the Download Center (starting on March 18), Microsoft introduced free support for the service pack. At that time, the promise was that Windows XP Service Pack 3 would receive the same treatment, and indeed it did. The Redmond company is offering support via email, individual chat, and phone for XP SP3 in all featured languages. However, this is valid exclusively for Windows XP with Service Pack 3 installed.

"For Technical Support on Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), please visit the SP3 support site. If you applied the SP3, you are entitled to free unlimited installation and compatibility support for Windows XP SP3, valid until April 14, 2009," revealed Mthree Sweatt, Chief of Staff of the Windows Core Operating System Division (COSD) at Microsoft.

Just as it does for Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft offers for XP SP3 free support related to the deployment of the service pack as well as any incompatibility problems with its integration with the operating system. Taking into consideration that XP SP3 went live on May 6, users will be able to enjoy in excess of one year of support. Still, the Redmond company is limiting chat and email support for SP3 only to the United States and Canada.

"For all other Windows XP issues, visit the Help and Support site at Help and Support site, and then choose your product. And the best place to start for any technical support issue, try starting here on the Microsoft Support site to choose your product. That will take you to the main page (at right), where you can select a product to see what assisted support options are available," Sweatt added.