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Important notice for users of Windows XP: To continue receiving security updates for Windows, make sure that you're running Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3). The support for Windows XP with Service Pack 3 ends April 8, 2014. If you’re running Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3) after support ends, to ensure that you will receive all important security updates for Windows, you need to upgrade to a later version, such as Windows 8.

For more information, see Support is ending for some versions of Windows.

How to determine if hardware or software is compatible with Windows XP

Article ID: 295322 - View products that this article applies to.

System TipThis article applies to a different version of Windows than the one you are using. Content in this article may not be relevant to you. Visit the Windows 7 Solution Center

This article was previously published under Q295322

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SUMMARY

This article describes how to determine if your hardware or software is compatible with Windows XP.

MORE INFORMATION

The Windows Compatible Hardware and Software Web site is an informational service that helps you determine which programs and hardware work best with your computer. When you visit the Windows Compatible Hardware and Software Web site, you can preview hardware and software before you buy it. New software and hardware compatibility status information is added to the Web site regularly, so that you can always get the most recent information to protect your computer and keep it running smoothly

When you visit the Web site, you can search or browse by manufacturer or product to determine which hardware or software is compatible or incompatible with Windows XP. You can check the site to determine if you need an update. In many cases, Microsoft, Independent Software Vendors (ISV) or Independent Hardware Vendors (IHV) have tested a product and rated its compatibility. Or, the product's compatibility status is determined through practical use. Microsoft encourages ISV and IHV representatives to submit information about how their product functions with Windows XP.

NOTE: This site does not necessarily contain a complete list of products compatible with Windows XP. If you have a product that is compatible with Windows XP and it is not on this list, please notify the appropriate vendor and request that they register their products on the software registration or hardware registration Web sites.

To register software, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/isv/

(http://msdn.microsoft.com/isv/)

To register hardware, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/whql/default.mspx

(http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/whql/default.mspx)

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

292607

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292607/ )

Windows XP supported upgrade paths