Microsoft Corp. will be retiring Exchange Server 5.5 and support for the product at the end of the year and is recommending users upgrade to the latest version, the company said Wednesday ...

Microsoft plans to offer a fee-based custom support program to users of Windows NT 4.0 Server and Exchange Server 5.5 when the standard support phases end.

Redmond's not extending its basic support for NT 4 and Exchange 5.5, but it is extending custom paid support for the product.

Microsoft will be retiring Exchange Server 5.5 and support for the product at the end of the year and is recommending users upgrade to the latest version, the company said Wednesday.

Exchange Server 5.5 support ends Dec. 31, 2005. Several key products will enjoy a longer support lifecycle under the new deadlines: Extended support for Windows 2000 Professional now lasts until ...