Editing Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

{{short description|Edition of Windows XP for x86-64 computers, released in 2005}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[Windows XP 64-bit Edition]], a 64-bit version of Windows XP for Itanium systems}}
{{Infobox OS version
| name = Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
| logo = Windows_XP_Professional_x64_Edition_logo_and_wordmark.png
| logo size = 200px
| screenshot = File:Windows XP Pro x64.png
| caption = Screenshot of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition running the Luna visual style, showing the start menu and the "About Windows" window
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| discontinued = yes
| family = [[Windows NT]]
| working state = No longer supported
| source_model = {{ubl
  | [[Proprietary software|Closed-source]]
  | [[Source-available software|Source-available]] (through [[Shared Source Initiative]])
}}
| released = {{start date and age|2005|04|25}}<ref name="release-date" />
| latest release version = Service Pack 2 with May 14, 2019 security update (5.2.3790.6787)
| latest release date = {{start date and age|2019|4|19}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/help/4500331|title=Description of the security update for the remote code execution vulnerability in Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2|date=May 14, 2019|publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref>
| kernel type = [[Hybrid kernel|Hybrid]] ([[Windows NT|NT]])
| ui = [[Graphical user interface]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]] [[commercial software]]
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110424080640/http://windows.microsoft.com:80/en-US/windows-xp/setup/windows-xp-professional-x64-edition-overview Windows XP Professional x64 Edition overview] (archived at [[Wayback Machine]])
| support_status = Mainstream support ended on April 14, 2009<ref name="lifecycleXPx64" /><br />Extended support ended on April 8, 2014<ref name="lifecycleXPx64">{{cite web|title=Microsoft Product Lifecycle: Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition|url=http://support2.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?sort=PN&alpha=Microsoft+Windows+XP+Professional+x64+Edition&Filter=FilterNO|website=Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=15 October 2014|archive-date=July 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721012431/http://support2.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?sort=PN&alpha=Microsoft+Windows+XP+Professional+x64+Edition&Filter=FilterNO|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
{{Windows XP|float=right}}
'''Windows XP Professional x64 Edition''' is an [[Windows XP editions|edition]] of [[Microsoft]]'s [[Windows XP]] operating system that supports the [[x86-64]] architecture. It was released on April 25, 2005, alongside the x86-64 versions of [[Windows Server 2003]].

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is designed to use the expanded 64-bit memory address space provided by the x86-64 64-bit extensions to the x86 IA-32 architecture,<ref name="release-date">{{cite press release |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2005/04/25/microsoft-raises-the-speed-limit-with-the-availability-of-64-bit-editions-of-windows-server-2003-and-windows-xp-professional/ |title=Microsoft Raises the Speed Limit with the Availability of 64-Bit Editions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=April 25, 2005 |access-date=September 10, 2015}}</ref> which was implemented by [[AMD]] as "AMD64", found in AMD's [[Opteron]], [[Athlon 64]] chips (and in selected [[Sempron]] processors), and implemented by [[Intel]] as "Intel 64" (formerly known as IA-32e and EM64T), found in some of Intel's [[Pentium 4]] and most of Intel's later chips since the [[Intel Core|Core]] series.

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition uses the same kernel and code tree as Windows Server 2003<ref name="XPx64Description">{{cite web | url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888733 | title=A description of the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 and of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (Revision 3.8) | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=Support | date=October 11, 2007 | access-date=January 12, 2011 |quote=The x64-based versions are based on the Windows Server 2003 code tree. Service and support activities for these versions use the Windows Server 2003 tree and do not use the Windows XP client tree.}}</ref> and is serviced by the same service packs.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Oiaga|first1=Marius|title=64-Bit Windows XP Service Pack 3? Don't think so... at least for now|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/64-Bit-Windows-XP-Service-Pack-3-73982.shtml|website=[[Softpedia]]|publisher=SoftNews|access-date=15 October 2014|date=14 December 2007}}</ref> However, it includes client features of Windows XP such as [[System Restore]], [[Windows Messenger]], [[Fast User Switching]], Welcome Screen, [[Security and Maintenance|Security Center]] and games, of which Windows Server 2003 does not have.

During the initial development phases (2003–2004), Windows XP Professional x64 Edition was named ''Windows XP 64-Bit Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/sep03/09-23athlon64betapr.mspx | title=Microsoft Announces Beta Version of Windows XP 64-Bit Edition For 64-Bit Extended Systems | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=News Center | date=September 23, 2002 | access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> and later as ''Windows XP 64-Bit Edition for Extended Systems'', as opposed to ''64-Bit Edition for Itanium Systems'' for [[Windows XP 64-Bit Edition]], as the latter was designed for the [[IA-64]] ([[Itanium]]) architecture.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/mar03/03-28WinXP64BitPR.mspx | title=Microsoft Releases Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 to Manufacturing | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=News Center | date=March 28, 2003 | access-date=January 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/01/04/HNmicrosoftnixesxpitanium_1.html | title=Microsoft nixes Windows XP for Itanium | publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] | work=[[InfoWorld]] | date=January 4, 2005 | access-date=January 12, 2011 | last=Evers | first=Joris | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050105054030/http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/01/04/HNmicrosoftnixesxpitanium_1.html | archive-date=January 5, 2005 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Features ==
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition offers a number of new and updated features not found in the main 32-bit x86 versions of Windows XP:

=== End-user ===
* [[Internet Information Services]] (IIS) version 6.0, the same version that was included in Windows Server 2003, is included with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. All other 32-bit editions of Windows XP have IIS v5.1.
* [[Windows Media Player]] version 10, the version that came with Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, is included with Windows XP Profesional x64 Edition.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24347 | title=Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | date=May 3, 2005 | access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> Windows XP Professional for x86 originally shipped with Windows Media Player version 8 from RTM to Service Pack 1 and later came with Windows Media Player 9 from Service Pack 2 onwards, with [[Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005]] receiving Windows Media Player 10. Windows Media Player 11 is available for x86 versions of Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later.
* Internet Protocol Security ([[IPsec]]) features and improvements made in Windows Server 2003 were included with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490863.aspx#EHAA | title=Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] | date=September 11, 2009 | access-date=June 7, 2013 | at=IPsec for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition}}</ref>
* [[Shadow Copy]], a feature that automatically creates daily backups of files and folders, was first introduced in Windows Server 2003 and is available in Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/isv/bb190528#Administration | title=General FAQs About 64-bit Windows | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=[[MSDN]] | access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref>{{Elucidate|date=January 2014}}
* [[Remote Desktop Services]] supports Unicode keyboard input, client-side time-zone redirection, GDI+ rendering primitives for improved performance, FIPS encryption, fallback printer driver, auto-reconnect and new Group Policy settings.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490863.aspx#EEAA | title=Remote Desktop for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] | date=September 11, 2009 | access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Files and Settings Transfer Wizard]] supports migrating settings from both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows XP PCs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490863.aspx#EIAA | title=Files and Settings Transfer Wizard for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] | date=September 11, 2009 | access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref>

=== Core ===
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is based on the [[Windows Server 2003]] kernel and codebase, which is newer than 32-bit Windows XP (by about two years) and has improvements to enhance scalability.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/5/7/757a5c5c-1ad2-4774-9ffa-ec78052c42fb/scaling.doc | title=Windows Server 2003 Kernel Scaling Improvements | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | access-date=June 7, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301064455/http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/5/7/757a5c5c-1ad2-4774-9ffa-ec78052c42fb/scaling.doc | archive-date=March 1, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> It also introduces [[Kernel Patch Protection]] (also known as PatchGuard) to improve security by helping to eliminate rootkits.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.microsoft.com/servers/64bit/x64/benefits.mspx | title=The Benefits of x64 Technology | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=microsoft.com | access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref>

== Advantages ==
The primary benefit of moving to 64-bit is the increase in the maximum allocatable [[random-access memory]] (RAM). 32-bit editions of Windows XP are limited to a total of 4 [[gigabyte]]s. Although the theoretical memory limit of a 64-bit computer is about 16 [[exabyte]]s (17.1 billion gigabytes), Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is limited to 128{{nbsp}}GB of physical memory and 16 [[terabyte]]s of [[virtual memory]].<ref name="ZDImportance64">{{cite web |last1=Broersma |first1=Matthew |title=The importance of being 64-bit |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-importance-of-being-64-bit/ |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=25 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition also offers a number of benefits/advantages over the main 32-bit x86 versions of Windows XP:

* Supports up to two physical [[Central processing unit|CPU]]s (in separate physical sockets) and up to 64 logical processors<ref>Up to: 64 cores, 64 threads if ratio of core count and thread count is 1:1; 32 cores, 64 threads if ratio of core count and thread count is 1:2.</ref> (i.e. [[Multi-core processor|cores]] or [[hyper-threading|threads]] on a single CPU). Windows XP Professional for x86 supported up to two physical CPUs but is limited to a maximum of 32 logical processors.
* Supports [[GUID Partition Table|GPT]]-partitioned disks for data [[Volume (computing)|volumes]] (but not bootable volumes) after SP1,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/GPT_FAQ.mspx#ELD | title=Windows XP Disk Support: Windows and GPT FAQ | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=Dev Center – Hardware | access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> which allows disks greater than 2{{nbsp}}TB to be used as a single GPT partition for storing data.
* Allows for faster encoding of audio or video, higher video game performance and faster [[Rendering (computer graphics)|3D rendering]] than with 32-bit versions of Windows XP, in 64-bit optimized software.
* Immunity from certain types of viruses and [[malware]] targeted at 32-bit versions of Windows XP, as most system files are 64-bit.

== Disadvantages/limitations ==
There are some limitations which apply to Windows XP Professional x64 Edition:

* Only 64-bit drivers are supported.<ref name="64-bitonly-rel-note" />
* Any 32-bit [[Windows Explorer]] shell extensions fail to work with the 64-bit version of Windows Explorer, however Windows XP x64 Edition also ships with a 32-bit version of Windows Explorer.<ref name="XPx64ShellIssues"/> It is possible to make this as the default Windows Shell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://extended64.com/blogs/bhpaddock/archive/2005/05/22/539.aspx |title=How to run the 32-bit Explorer shell on Windows x64 |publisher=Extended64.com |access-date=June 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525093404/http://extended64.com/blogs/bhpaddock/archive/2005/05/22/539.aspx |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* No native support for [[Type 1 and Type 3 fonts#Type 1|Type 1 fonts]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}
* [[IEEE 1394]] (FireWire) audio is not supported.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490863.aspx#EAAA | title=Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] | date=September 11, 2009 | access-date=June 7, 2013 | at=Appendix B: Features Not Supported in Windows XP Professional x64 Edition}}</ref>
* [[Hibernation (computing)|Hibernation]] is not supported if the RAM is greater than 4{{nbsp}}GB.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/888575 |title=You cannot put a computer that has more than 4{{nbsp}}GB of memory into hibernation in Windows XP, in Windows Server 2003, in Windows Vista, or in Windows Server 2008. |access-date=March 28, 2016 |archive-date=April 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407143534/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/888575/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This would later be resolved by [[Windows 7]].
* [[Extensible Firmware Interface|EFI]] and/or [[UEFI]] are not supported. A BIOS with [[Advanced Configuration and Power Interface]] (ACPI) is required.
* [[English language|English]] or [[Japanese language|Japanese]] are only provided as native display languages. [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]], [[Korean language|Korean]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] are available as [[Multilingual User Interface]] (MUI) packs for the English version.
* Additionally, the extra registers of the x86-64 architecture can cause a slight decrease in performance with certain applications compared to the same application compiled in 32-bit only x86 code running on 32-bit versions of Windows XP.

== Software compatibility ==
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition uses a technology named [[WoW64|Windows-on-Windows 64-bit (WoW64)]], which permits the execution of [[32-bit]] software. It was first used in [[Windows XP 64-bit Edition]] (for [[Itanium]] architecture). Later, it was adopted for x64 editions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

Since the x86-64 architecture includes hardware-level support for 32-bit instructions, WoW64 simply switches the process between 32- and 64-bit modes. As a result, x86-64 architecture microprocessors suffer no performance loss when executing 32-bit Windows applications. On the Itanium architecture, WoW64 was required to translate 32-bit x86 instructions into their 64-bit Itanium equivalents—which in some cases were implemented in quite different ways—so that the processor could execute them. All 32-bit processes are shown with *32 in the task manager, while 64-bit processes have no extra text present.

Although 32-bit applications can be run transparently, the mixing of the two types of code within the same [[process (computing)|process]] is not allowed. A 64-bit program cannot use a 32-bit [[dynamic-link library]] (DLL) and similarly a 32-bit program cannot use a 64-bit DLL. This may lead to the need for library developers to provide both 32-bit and 64-bit binary versions of their libraries. Specifically, 32-bit [[shell extension]]s for [[Windows Explorer]] fail to work with 64-bit Windows Explorer. Windows XP x64 Edition ships with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Explorer.<ref name="XPx64ShellIssues">{{cite web | url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/895561 | title=Some Windows Explorer extensions and some Control Panel items are not displayed on computers that are running an x64-based version of Windows | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=Support | date=February 4, 2008 | access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> The 32-bit version can become the default Windows Shell.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://extended64.com/blogs/bhpaddock/archive/2005/05/22/539.aspx | title=How to run the 32-bit Explorer shell on Windows x64 | work=Extended64.com | date=May 22, 2005 | access-date=June 7, 2013 | first=Brandon | last=Paddock | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525093404/http://extended64.com/blogs/bhpaddock/archive/2005/05/22/539.aspx | archive-date=May 25, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Windows XP x64 Edition also includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of [[Internet Explorer 6]], so that users can still use [[browser extension]]s or [[ActiveX]] controls that are not available in 64-bit versions.

Only 64-bit drivers are supported in Windows XP x64 Edition, but 32-bit [[codec]]s are supported as long as the [[media player (software)|media player]] that uses them is 32-bit.<ref name="64-bitonly-rel-note" />

=== Installation of programs ===
By default, 64-bit (x86-64) Windows programs are installed onto their own folders under <code>C:\Program Files</code>, while 32-bit (x86/IA-32) Windows programs are installed onto their own folders under <code>C:\Program Files (x86)</code>.

== Removed features ==
Some features are not included at all on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. Most of them are inherited from Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (the version that Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is based on), which includes some changes from Windows XP Service Pack 2 for x86:

* [[NTVDM]] and [[Windows on Windows]] were removed, so [[16-bit]] Windows applications or native [[MS-DOS]] applications cannot run.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896458 | title=64-bit versions of Windows do not support 16-bit components, 16-bit processes, or 16-bit applications | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=Support | date=September 11, 2011 | access-date=April 19, 2013}}</ref> A similar case happened with all versions of Windows XP for [[Itanium]]. Some old 32-bit programs use 16-bit installers which do not run; however, replacements for 16-bit installers such as ACME Setup versions 2.6, 3.0, 3.01, 3.1 and [[InstallShield]] 5.x are hardcoded into [[WoW64]] to mitigate this issue. This is true for later 64-bit versions of Windows.<ref name="64-bitonly-rel-note">{{cite web | url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306819 | title=Release Notes for Windows XP Contained in the Relnotes.htm File | publisher=Microsoft | work=Support | date=January 9, 2006 | access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref>	
* [[COMMAND.COM]], which is a command interpreter exclusive to [[MS-DOS]] and [[Windows 9x]], is no longer included.
* [[Program Manager]] was removed and replaced with Windows Explorer. The executable is still present, but it was replaced with a [[Method stub|compatibility stub]] that redirects to Explorer. The executable itself would not be removed entirely until [[Windows Vista]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
* [[Win32 console]] programs (including [[Command Prompt]]) no longer loads in full-screen. This also applies to later versions of Windows.{{cn|date=December 2014}}
* ''Media Bar'', which replaced the ''Radio Toolbar'' in [[Internet Explorer 6]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/303130 |title=The Radio Toolbar Is Unavailable in Internet Explorer 6 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=January 31, 2007 |work=Support |access-date=November 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309210019/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/303130 |archive-date=March 9, 2008 }}</ref> was removed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms533100.aspx|title=Media Bar|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|work=[[MSDN]]|date=September 4, 2012 |access-date=November 8, 2012|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211160218/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms533100.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The Web Extender Client component for Web Folders (WebDAV) was not included.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888123 | title=You cannot connect to a Web folder from a Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP x64 computer | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=Support | access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref>
* Spell checking in [[Outlook Express]] was removed.<ref name="XPx64FeatureChanges">{{cite web | url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490863.aspx#EGAA | title=Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] | date=September 11, 2009 | access-date=June 7, 2013 | at=Outlook Express for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition}}</ref>

== Service packs ==
The RTM version of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition was built from the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 codebase.<ref name="XPx64Description"/> Because Windows XP Professional x64 Edition comes from a different codebase than 32-bit Windows XP, its service packs are also developed separately.<ref name="NT5x64SP2">{{cite web | url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb294403 | title=Windows Server 2003 & Windows XP x64 Service Pack 2 Overview | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] | date=January 25, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202100928/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb294403 | archive-date=February 2, 2014 | url-status=dead | access-date=June 7, 2013 }}</ref> For the same reason, Service Pack 2 for Windows XP x64 Edition, released on March 13, 2007, is not the same as Service Pack 2 for 32-bit versions of Windows XP.<ref name="NT5x64SP2"/> In fact, due to the earlier release date of the 32-bit version, many of the key features introduced by Service Pack 2 for 32-bit (x86) editions of Windows XP were already present in the RTM version of its x64 counterpart.<ref name="XPx64Description"/> Service Pack 2 is the last released service pack for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

== Upgradeability ==
A machine running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition cannot be directly upgraded to Windows Vista because the 64-bit Vista DVD mistakenly recognizes XP x64 as a 32-bit system. Windows XP x64 does qualify the customer to use an upgrade copy of Windows Vista or Windows 7, however it must be installed as a clean install. Despite this, there is a workaround available via third-party tools that makes upgrading from XP x64 to Windows Vista possible.<ref> {{cite AV media|author=colaWin|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko5y9WAkdas|website=YouTube|title=Upgrade from Windows XP to Vista,but it is in 64 bit version|access-date= 2023-11-23|language=en}}</ref>

The last version of [[Microsoft Office]] to be officially compatible with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is [[Microsoft Office 2007|Office 2007]], however [[Microsoft Office 2010|Office 2010]] can be unofficially installed by disguising the Windows version using Application Verifier. The last version of [[Internet Explorer]] compatible with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is [[Internet Explorer 8]] (Service Pack 2 is required).

==Support lifecycle==
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition follows the same support lifecycles as with all other versions of Windows XP. On April 14, 2009, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition's mainstream support expired and the extended support phase began. During the extended support phase, Microsoft continued to provide security updates; however, free technical support, warranty claims, and design changes are no longer being offered.<ref name="lifecycle">{{cite web | url = http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?c2=1163 | title = Microsoft Support Lifecycle | work = Support
| publisher = Microsoft | access-date =April 11, 2014}}</ref> Extended support lasted until April 8, 2014, in line with all other Windows XP editions.<ref name="lifecycle"/> After this date, no more security patches or support information are offered.

Although Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is unsupported, Microsoft released an emergency security patch in May 2017 for the OS as well as other unsupported versions of Windows (including [[Windows Server 2003]], [[Windows Vista]] and [[Windows 7]] RTM without a service pack), to address a vulnerability that was being leveraged by the [[WannaCry ransomware attack]].<ref name="verge-highlyunusual">{{cite web|title=Microsoft issues 'highly unusual' Windows XP patch to prevent massive ransomware attack|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/13/15635006/microsoft-windows-xp-security-patch-wannacry-ransomware-attack|website=The Verge|date=13 May 2017 |publisher=Vox Media|access-date=13 May 2017}}</ref><ref name="ms-wannacrypatch">{{cite web|title=Customer Guidance for WannaCrypt attacks|url=https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/msrc/2017/05/12/customer-guidance-for-wannacrypt-attacks/|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=13 May 2017}}</ref> In May 2019, an emergency patch was released to address a [[BlueKeep|critical code execution vulnerability]] in [[Remote Desktop Services]] which can be exploited in a similar way as the WannaCry vulnerability.<ref name="verge-wannacrylike">{{cite web|title=Microsoft warns of major WannaCry-like Windows security exploit, releases XP patches|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/14/18623565/microsoft-windows-xp-remote-desktop-services-worm-security-patches|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|date=May 14, 2019|access-date=May 16, 2019|first1=Tom|last1=Warren|archive-date=September 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902162957/https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/14/18623565/microsoft-windows-xp-remote-desktop-services-worm-security-patches|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/msrc/2019/05/14/prevent-a-worm-by-updating-remote-desktop-services-cve-2019-0708/|title=Prevent a worm by updating Remote Desktop Services (CVE-2019-0708) |website=MSRC Blog |access-date=May 16, 2019|date=May 14, 2019|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514210409/https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/msrc/2019/05/14/prevent-a-worm-by-updating-remote-desktop-services-cve-2019-0708/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Microsoft announced in July 2019 that the Microsoft Internet Games services on Windows XP and Windows Me would end on July 31, 2019 (and for Windows 7 on January 22, 2020).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/farewell-to-microsoft-internet-games-on-windows-xp/035d5144-6c1b-49bb-b3d5-37f6355fec39?auth=1|title=Farewell to Microsoft Internet Games on Windows XP, Windows ME, and Windows 7|website=answers.microsoft.com|language=en-US|access-date=August 4, 2019|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714150805/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/farewell-to-microsoft-internet-games-on-windows-xp/035d5144-6c1b-49bb-b3d5-37f6355fec39?auth=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Others, such as [[Steam (service)|Steam]], had done the same, ending support for Windows XP and Windows Vista in January 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1558-AFCM-4577|title=Windows XP and Windows Vista Support – Steam – Knowledge Base – Steam Support|website=support.steampowered.com|access-date=August 4, 2019|archive-date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812221829/https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1558-AFCM-4577|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Microsoft announced that it would disable the Windows Update service for SHA-1 endpoints for older Windows versions. Since Windows XP Professional x64 Edition did not get an update for SHA-2, Windows Update Services are no longer available on the OS as of late July 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Windows Update SHA-1 based endpoints discontinued for older Windows devices|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-update-sha-1-based-endpoints-discontinued-for-older-windows-devices-10b58bd9-5ba2-b23d-498b-139ce5c709af|access-date=April 6, 2021|website=support.microsoft.com|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417045726/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-update-sha-1-based-endpoints-discontinued-for-older-windows-devices-10b58bd9-5ba2-b23d-498b-139ce5c709af|url-status=live}}</ref> As of March 2024, many of the old updates for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition are available on the [[Microsoft Update Catalog]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Update Catalog|url=https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=windows%20xp|access-date=March 6, 2025|website=www.catalog.update.microsoft.com|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812131023/https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=Windows%20xp|url-status=live}}</ref> A third-party tool named Legacy Update allows previously-released updates for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition to be installed from the Update Catalog.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=2023-07-10 |title=Windows 95, 98, and other decrepit versions can grab online updates again |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/07/windows-95-98-and-other-decrepit-versions-can-grab-online-updates-again/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |language=en-us}}</ref>

{{Timeline Windows XP}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
#{{Cite web
 |url = http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/x64benefits.mspx
 |title = Benefits of Microsoft Windows x64 Editions
 |publisher = Microsoft Corporation
 |date = February 8, 2006
 |access-date = January 12, 2011
}}
#{{cite web
 |url = http://www.activewin.com/articles/2006/8.shtml
 |title = Microsoft Windows XP x64 Edition: Year in Review
 |work = ActiveWin.com
 |first = Andre
 |last = Da Costa
 |date = April 25, 2006
 |access-date = January 12, 2011
}}
#{{cite web
 |url = http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914962
 |title = List of updates in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (Revision 15.2)
 |work = Microsoft Support
 |publisher = Microsoft Corporation
 |date = February 27, 2009
 |access-date = January 12, 2011
}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
*{{Official website|https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14223/windows-xp-end-of-support}}

{{History of Windows}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Windows Xp Professional X64 Edition}}
[[Category:Windows XP]]
[[Category:X86-64 operating systems]]
[[Category:Microsoft Windows]]
[[ca:Windows XP#64 bits]]