Monday, April 7, 2014

IT'S ALL OVER!


Today is the day. We've all known it was coming, but it has finally arrived. Yes, today is the day Microsoft finally ends all support for Windows XP, the stalwart OS that has been gracing home computers, and many other devices, since late 2001.

Well, not all. If you have embedded XP, which is used in everything from ATMs to POS terminals, support will last until 2016 for some versions, later for others, but that's not you. You have good old regular XP, and Microsoft will no longer support it. So what does that mean?

It means no more security updates, no more bug fixes, no more enhancements or service packs or technical support or anything else. The XP you're running now is the XP you will ALWAYS be running from here on out.

I think this image is mocking me

But what does *that* mean?

Depending on who you talk to, XP is still installed on anywhere from 20% of workplace machines to 46% of home PCs worldwide! The numbers tend to be all over the place with the business estimate the less variable of the two, but either way, that's a lot. A whole lot. 500 million at least. And they'll be immediately more vulnerable to crashing, viruses and other malware, as well as dwindling resources and options for fixing those problems.

If you're still using XP, what can you do? The only real thing you can do is keep using it and accept it's the equivalent of a digital petri dish, or upgrade your operating system. Even upgrading to Windows 7 is a huge improvement. Keep in mind that if you have hardware that runs XP well, it likely will *not* run a later version of the OS as swimmingly. It might be time for a full upgrade.

8 comments:

  1. XP never ever provided anit-virus support!!!! Period. You can still run the most stable user friendly Windows system without any trepidation. It is a time proven program that has withstood the onslaught of hackers.

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    1. That's true, but any vulnerabilities in the OS itself won't be patched and can still be exploited. There's much more to it than just viruses.

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  2. Thank you. I agree. That is why I have Windows 7. Maybe it's a Microsoft conspiracy that they perpetuate operation system death every 10 years. LOL. Why I got you here, did you receive my crossword via email last week? Thank you.

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  3. I changed over to Windows 7 Ultimate as soon as it came out. I had some difficulties with that because some programs I was using did not work with the newer version. This is the reason I am waiting to go to the next Windows version. All-in-all, In the past, I tended to be one of those people who usually bought the newest and latest things as they come out. Now, I try to wait a little more time before buying something new.

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  4. Windows 7 is a huge improvement over Windows XP. Fox 5 News also addressed the same issue. That computers with XP will be more prone to viruses and crashing. It was also a concern with some business owners. Whom are afraid that their system would get hacked and all their clients information will get stolen. Now with Office 2003 there are some compatibility issues when transferring files from my computer to our schools 2010 Office. Some of the previous updates towards 2003 Office have helped with the compatibility issue. Now since they have stopped with support updates I just might have to go out and buy a current version of Office.

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  5. Good riddens. I am finally happy this day has come. In fact, I'm highly amused at the amount of Google+ posts with pictures of people who are legitimately upset that they have to upgrade. I have been using Windows 8 (yes 8) since the day the consumer preview was released, and I find it to be quite nice once you use it for a while. Under the hood (the kernel), it is extremely similar to Windows 7. There are mistakes that were made, and mishaps that are a nightmare to the average user (no start button), but in my opinion that adds to the experience of making this operating system something new and unique. People are resistant to change --- but when forced to they will adapt, and like it in the end (generally). When Windows XP first came out, people hated it and the start button it provided (or was that Windows NT/2000?). it took a while, but it became the most loved.

    We still have systems running Windows XP embedded at work, I can't wait for those to be upgraded. RIP Windows XP, but now it is time to look ahead to the future.

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  6. My current place of employment, Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, just upgraded to Windows 7 about two weeks ago, because of there not being any tech support anymore for Windows XP. I think that it was time for use to make the switch anyways because we should be closer to the newest technology as we can, since we are a major hotel and casino here in Las Vegas.

    Shane Booth

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  7. I did have Windows XP and really liked it. I hated to change but I have been using Windows 7 since it came out and I like it. Every time an upgrade comes out on something I'm not to quick to use it. I like to let them release it and find all of the issues and fix them before I get it. Windows 7 has been good from the beginning. I do know of a few people that with or without support they are not giving up their XP. I'm in rush to go to Windows 8 and probably won't until I'm forced to.

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