[Python-Dev] PEP 11 change: Windows Support Lifecycle (original) (raw)

martin at v.loewis.de martin at v.loewis.de
Fri Jun 1 15:22:57 CEST 2012

I have just codified our current policy on supporting Windows releases, namely that we only support some Windows version until Microsoft ends its extended support period. As a consequence, Windows XP will be supported until 08/04/2014, and Windows 7 until 14/01/2020 (unless Microsoft extends that date further).

I have also added wording on Visual Studio support which may still require consensus. My proposed policy is this:

  1. There is only one VS version supported for any feature release. Because of the different branches, multiple versions may be in use.
  2. The version that we use for a new feature release must still have mainstream support (meaning it can still be purchased regularly).
  3. We should strive to keep the number of VS versions used simultaneously small.

VS 2008 has mainstream support until 09/04/2013, so we could have used it for 3.3 still, however, mainstream support ends within the likely lifetime of 3.3, so switching to VS 2010 was better. VS 2010 will have mainstream support until 14/07/2015, so we can likely use it for 3.4 as well, and only reconsider for 3.5 (at which point XP support will not be an issue anymore). VS 2012 is out for 3.4 as it doesn't support XP.

Regards, Martin

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