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The retirement announcement comes eight months after the introduction of Windows Server 2003, the successor to Windows 2000 Server, and almost four years after the Windows 2000 Server launch on Feb. 17, 2000.

Retirement of Windows 2000 Server will be spread out over a two-year period starting on April 1, 2004. From that date, Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Advanced Server will no longer be available through the retail channel or through Microsoft's volume licensing programs, the Redmond, Washington-based software maker said in a posting on its Web site.

On Nov. 1, 2004, Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Advanced Server and Windows 2000 Datacenter will be pulled from the direct OEM (original equipment manufacturer) channel, Microsoft said. This means the products will no longer be available from vendors such as Hewlett-Packard Co. that have direct license agreements with Microsoft.

A year later, on Nov. 1, 2005, system builders -- smaller, local companies that build servers from the ground up for customers -- will stop selling the Windows 2000 Server products, Microsoft said.

Source: Infoworld