Microsoft is gearing up to end technical support and security updates for its Windows XP operating system (OS).
Come April 8, Microsoft will pull the plug on Windows XP, which was shipped in 2001.
"Microsoft has provided support for Windows XP for the past 12 years. But now the time has come for us, along with our hardware and software partners, to invest our resources toward supporting more recent technologies so that we can continue to deliver great new experiences," per Microsoft. "After April 8, 2014, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC. Microsoft will also stop providing Microsoft Security Essentials for download on Windows XP on this date,"
So why is Microsoft retiring Windows XP you ask?
"We can't continue to support it forever," says Greg Sullivan, Microsoft's director of Windows.
Sullivan opines that it is quite normal in the industry to retire operating systems as the tech world is constantly evolving. Recently, Apple too ended support for its Snow Leopard OS that shipped in 2009.
So what does the end of support for Windows XP mean for customers?
"It means you should take action. After April 8, 2014, there will be no new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates," per Microsoft.
That's right. Once support for Windows XP ends, Microsoft will not issue any patches for any new security threats or loopholes in the OS, which basically means that your Windows XP device will be vulnerable to "security risks and viruses."
From Saturday, March 8, Microsoft will begin flashing a reminder on computers running Windows XP home and professional which reads "Windows XP End of Support is on April 8th, 2014" to warn users of end of support.
Microsoft is also encouraging customers to upgrade to its Windows 8 OS.
"Our goal is to get people to move from XP to a modern operating system," said Tom Murphy, Windows communications director for Microsoft.
For information on how to upgrade their systems, users can check AmIRunningXP.com. Microsoft is also offering free web apps that can detect if a Windows XP device is capable of running a newer version of Windows.
