Manifold users should plan on changes in Windows operating systems supported by Manifold retail products. The following is preliminary information. Background Manifold traditionally supports many Microsoft Windows editions. When Microsoft drops support for an older Windows edition Manifold also will eventually drop support. How long an older Windows edition is supported depends on Microsoft's continued support for Microsoft components used in Manifold. Manifold has extensive use of Microsoft facilities. This ensures compatibility with Microsoft products, improves reliability and adds capabilities by connecting to the Microsoft ecosystem. When Microsoft stops supporting an older Windows release in some facilities any Manifold products using those facilities must choose. They must choose between stopping evolution or moving forward and stopping support for the older Windows. Sometimes evolution is not about new features but about back integration - under the hood use of code developed for new products in an older product - because that is more efficient and reliable. Support choices for new products that way can impact support choices in updates to older products. Trends Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 - either in 32-bit or 64-bit versions - for system components Manifold would like to use. This includes use in new products now in beta, new products being planned, or new updates for existing products. Manifold therefore plans to drop support for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 in new Manifold configurations. Roadmap Manifold expects to support the following Windows versions for new products and updates to old products: Windows Vista SP2+, Windows 7 SP1+, Windows 8 and 8.1, Windows Server 2008+. The + sign means the edition or more recent. Example - all Windows Server editions including Server 2008 or more recent. New Release 8.00 updates might or might not require the above. All new products after 8.00 will require the above list. Dropping XP and 2003 should affect relatively few users. Most Manifold users have upgraded from XP or 2003. 8.00 users on XP or 2003 can probably ignore any new updates. For new products a user who adopts new technology right away will not use XP or 2003. The above information is preliminary. We might end up supporting more or supporting less - the guidance is intended to give the best idea of what operating systems we are likely to continue to support.
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