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Microsoft kills forum support for Office 2013, Surface Pro, Windows 8.1 and more

Your forum support for these products is up to your fellow problem solvers now.

Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
Lori Grunin

Microsoft will no longer officially participate in a variety of product-support forums for some older software and hardware, save monitoring them for bad behavior. None of this comes as a surprise, but you've probably been looking elsewhere for your Zune answers, anyway. (And Zune is the only one it'll be locking against updates.)

In a blog post Monday, Microsoft listed the following:

  • Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 RT
  • Microsoft Security Essentials
  • Internet Explorer 10
  • Office 2010, 2013
  • Surface Pro (presumably the oldest models), Surface Pro 2, Surface RT , Surface 2
  • Microsoft Band  -- this topic will be locked. Users are invited to participate in the  Microsoft Band 2 topic.
  • Mobile devices forum -- Microsoft support will continue in "Other Windows mobile devices" topic
  • Zune -- this topic will be locked, but will remain available for browsing

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