The new, higher prices for support apply to all older software for which Microsoft still offers mainstream or extended support. That typically lasts 10 years, though Microsoft said last month it will extend support for Windows XP Home and Windows XP Media Center until April 2014, or almost 13 years after their first release.

As seemingly with any Microsoft policy change, there is important fine print. Most importantly, the prices only apply to consumers or small businesses who own full retail copies of Microsoft software. The vast majority of customers -- as many as 80 percent, according to a recent Microsoft financial filing -- get Vista pre-installed on their PC by the manufacturer. For all OEM software, customers should approach the PC maker for technical support.

An exception would be for customers who purchase a trial copy of Microsoft software that was pre-installed on their PC. They would then own a full retail copy of the software and would go to Microsoft for support, Fingerhut said.

Also, the policy changes generally won't affect mid-sized and large companies. They generally get volume licenses from Microsoft, and support contracts from the company or another provider. Also, the prices only apply to U.S. customers; prices may differ in other countries.

Value of support