Microsoft support differences

[ArisVer]

What is the difference between mainstream and extended support for an OS (example Windows 7)? As far as I know extended support is only for security bugfixes, and mainstream support can give you a program update like a newer version of IE. But is there driver update support during the extended support or does someone have to install drivers manually?

 

[Ketchup]

I received an Nvidia driver update for 7 last week, after mainstream support ended. The main thing you would be missing would be major updates unrelated to bug fixes and security updates. Think Directx and IE.

If you remember back to when Microsoft released Internet Explorer 8, it was initially not released to Windows XP systems, as mainstream support had ended. Public outcry made Microsoft change their minds on that one, and extend it to those systems as well.

 

[Mushkins]

Basic OS-level bundled drivers (The microsoft generic stuff) will no longer be updated by Microsoft. However if, say, Intel were to release an updated driver for the NIC on your motherboard they are still able to submit that update to Microsoft to include in Windows Update should they so choose, as Third Party drivers are 100% the responsibility of the hardware/software manufacturers just like they are under mainstream support.