End of Windows XP Support

Created on Sunday, 22 June 2014 08:35
Written by Super User

XP

Microsoft announced the end of support for Windows XP operating system and office 2003. Precisely starting April 8, 2014. This means that any computer running on XP and office 2003 after their end of support date may expose you or your company to security risks from harmful viruses, spyware and other malicious software. It will be particularly unwise for businesses carrying out mission-critical operations like bank ATMs and other related ones not to upgrade their systems.

Microsoft announced the end of support for Windows XP operating system and office 2003. Precisely April 8, 2014.

This means that any computer running on XP and office 2003 after their end of support date may expose you or your company to security risks from harmful viruses, spyware and other malicious software. It will be particularly unwise for businesses carrying out mission-critical operations like bank ATMs and other related ones not to upgrade their systems. Things will get even worse when Microsoft stops support for XP’s anti-malware products in July 2015 at which point your computer will be even richer target for attacks.

Incase there is confusion, neither Windows XP nor Office 2003 are not going to stop functioning – they will remain usable on April 9 and beyond but will be liable to compromise and not support. To minimize risk, consumers must upgrade to newer operating systems that offer enhanced security features, like inbuilt firewall and antivirus rootkit malware protection.

Retiring a product is a normal part of the product life cycle.  While most Microsoft software is supported for 10 years, Windows XP has been supported for more than 12 years due to its continued success in the market. Your upgrade options include windows 7, 8 and 8.1 and office suites 2007-2013.  

If you can’t upgrade by April 8, your best option is to remain off internet and computer networks, and use your windows XP system as a stand-alone base of operations.  Connecting to the internet will increase your computer’s susceptibility to virus attacks. Also you need to move data on or off it using an external disk or DVD, and find another option to replace the applications you think you can’t do without.

 

At Shalynx Solutions we can assist small and medium sized businesses in the country to migrate multiple PCs to the latest version of Windows in order to ensure your full business is protected and supported.