Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.
Sure, most of what we consider support will not be missed but what about product activation when you re-install FSX? What I get from the AVSIM news update is that MS will continue to support it but for how long? When I buy a new PC let's say 5 years from now, P3D might be the only option if FSX product activation is no longer supported.
There is always P3D, but don't enjoy yourselves using it, it is NOT for entertainment purposes.![]()
Reactivation is my only concern as I believe the support ended when Phil Taylor left MS. Although there are "alternative" methods to activate FsXA, they are not legitimate and that would worry many people.
You are legally allowed (although it is hazy) to backup your software. This includes altering .exe files to not require original discs. In other words. -- if you own FS X, there is no problem in using No-CD .exe's.
Besides that-- did FSX ever use online activation? I cannot recall. If not, all the checking is done on the user end and requires no validation from an external server.
FsX doesn't require any disk to run and on-line activation is required.
someone is going to have to give installing a test in a few weeks and see if you can still activate it..

Activation is a licencing issue, not a support issue. The process of activating Microsoft products isn't going away right now and FSX is just an entry in their database.
Perhaps now that they are distancing themselves from flight sims they will allow Lockheed to sell P3D as a consumer entertainment product.
If you read the forums there have been a number of cases where FsX re-activation has been an issue. This has been cited as MS no longer supports FsX. I hope that MS will see this as a blunder and will continue to activate or re-activate FsX as and when required.