After 12 years, support for Windows XP will end on April 8, 2014.
After this date, there will be no more security updates or technical support for the Windows XP operating system.
Microsoft is telling its customers and partners migrate to a modern operating system such as Windows 8.1.
What does this mean?
It means that after April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for Windows XP. Security updates patch vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malware and help keep users and their data safer. PCs running Windows XP after April 8, 2014, should not be considered to be protected, and it is important that you migrate to a current supported operating system – such as Windows 8.1 – so you can receive regular security updates to protect their computer from malicious attacks.
RIP Windows XP: 'zombie' operating system that haunted Microsoft is being laid to rest
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/goodbye-windows-xp-9213134.html
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Potential risks of staying with Windows XP (from Microsoft)
Running Windows XP SP3 in your environment after April 8, 2104 may expose you to potential risks, such as:
Security:
Without critical Windows XP security updates, your PC may become vulnerable to harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software which can steal or damage your business data and information. Anti-virus software will also not be able to fully protect you once Windows XP itself is unsupported.
Compliance:
Businesses that are governed by regulatory obligations such as HIPAA may find that they are no longer able to satisfy compliance requirements. More information on HHS’s view on the security requirements for information systems that contain electronic protected health information (e-PHI) can be found here (HHS HIPAA FAQ - Security Rule).
Lack of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Support:
Many software vendors will no longer support their products running on Windows XP as they are unable to receive Windows XP updates. For example, the new Office takes advantage of the modern Windows and will not run on Windows XP.
Hardware Manufacturer support:
Most PC hardware manufacturers will stop supporting Windows XP on existing and new hardware. This will also mean that drivers required to run Windows XP on new hardware may not be available.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/end-of-support.aspx
Very timely reminder. I am running XP and to be honest just hate the way we seem to have to continuously update/renew just about everything 'techy'. In my work, I still use various versions of 'Trigger's' broom, spade, fork and shovel - had them all 30 years!
As a general rule of thumb most techies don't buy every version of windows as they tend to bring out a good edition followed by something that is pants...
Windows 98 (good)
Windows ME (pants)
Windows XP (good)
Windows Vista (pants)
Windows 7 (good)
Windows 8 (pants)
Windows 8.1 (good)
If anyone is still on XP, I would recommend an upgrade to win 7. Although at this stage, chances are your going to need a new PC to have a reasonable experience as it hogs more memory that XP.
It's a bit of a shame really - and a pain! We're having to upgrade a few PC's here. Still, it's worth it to be protected!
One hidden aspect of upgrading will be whether other key business & personal applications are available or can be upgraded (often at £££ cost) to work on newer OS versions.
We personally will be blocked from upgrading as some of our software is not certified to run on Win 7 or 8.
However, this is also a good example of why cloud based or thin client Applications have gained traction as the 'application' sits server side and not on your PC. They have all the issues of ensuring compliance when a new o/s is made available :-)
Robbie said:
They did sort Vista out by the time 7 was released, it's not as good as 7 but it's miles better than what it was when it launched.
I run a version of microsoft office on XP, I know its old but it was state of the art when I bought it and cost a small fortune, it does everything I need but it is not compatible with windows 8, I am sure microsoft could with little effort make it compatible, but why bother when you can in effect force users to upgrade (or do I mean Buy) to a newer version of office. Built in future sales.
Gary RK said:
Some further info from AVAST;
Since the end of life announcement for Windows XP, AVAST Security report that 23.6% of AVAST’s over 200 million users were still using Windows XP.
Since then less than 2% of AVAST Windows XP users have parted ways with the operating system.
Further research indicates that 21% of Windows XP users were unaware that Microsoft would be ending support, despite Microsoft’s efforts and the media attention around the topic.
Although Microsoft recommends upgrading the operating system as the first option home XP users should take to protect themselves, AVAST found that only 15% of XP users were planning on upgrading their OS.
The second option Microsoft suggests is for XP users to purchase a new PC. This does not seem like a popular option for many XP users, which is understandable considering the costs that come with purchasing a new PC. Only 5% of Windows XP users plan on purchasing a new PC.
The survey also revealed that 27% of Windows XP users were not planning on doing anything.
AVAST will continue to support Windows XP users for at least the next three years.