Previous to this date, unlimited free support was available for the first 90 days after install.

This applies only to copies purchased retail. Copies preloaded on, or supplied with, computers (OEM distributions) do not qualify for support from Microsoft at all. In fact, users who purchased Microsoft Office retail (about $500) have been refused support because they were running it on an "unsupported" (OEM) distribution of Windows.

Given the almost non-existent profits in hardware today, OEMs cannot afford to provide meaningful support for Microsoft products on which they don't make a dime, thus most Microsoft software is essentially unsupported.

More information can be found at CNet. For other ways Microsoft has been increasing the cost of Windows, see our news item Microsoft Doubles Cost of Windows.