Changes to the custom-support program have also been made. Microsoft will reportedly make "critical" and "important" security fixes for NT Server available and shorten the minimum subscription period for custom support from six months to three.

The extension comes as public and free support for Windows NT Server concludes at the end of the year. Microsoft, reports say, has made it clear that the life cycle for Windows Server NT is coming to an end despite previous extensions. The extension of the custom-support program is in place only to accommodate enterprises that are not ready to shift to a new operating system.

According to reports, Microsoft believes extending public support for NT Server would be irresponsible given the fact that is it not equipped to deal with the current Internet security environment.