Microsoft to Extend Software Support

Microsoft Corp., the world’s largest software maker, said it would extend customer support for its software to at least 10 years after a product’s release from seven years.

The new program will begin Tuesday, the company said.

The change is in response to customer complaints that Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft ends support too soon, requiring customers to switch to newer versions. Sellers of rival programs such as the Linux operating system have targeted customers with older, unsupported Microsoft products who don’t want to pay for new versions.

Shares of Microsoft rose 34 cents to $26.10 on Nasdaq.