Microsoft’s famously successful (and still popular) Windows XP is now well over a decade old. While about 30 percent of Windows users worldwide still rely on XP, an operating system as aged as XP can’t be supported forever, and thus, its discontinuation date looms. After April 8th, 2014 there will be no new security updates and no new patches.
This effectively means that XP will be left to slowly become unsecured, unreliable and incompatible with new hardware.
Microsoft isn't the only company ditching XP
Not only can Microsoft wash its hands of Windows XP support, but so can all the companies that made software for XP.
Assuming those companies stopped actively developing for the OS years ago, they are likely still supporting the applications that run on it. After Windows XP end of life on April 8, 2014, they'll have no reason to continue. The implications of this reality run far and wide. Line-of-business software is surely affected, as are any of the random applications you are using.
What really is cause for concern for desktop and virtualization admins, though, is that security software vendors will likely stop patching, updating and supporting their software.
This effectively means that XP will be left to slowly become unsecured, unreliable and incompatible with new hardware.
Microsoft isn't the only company ditching XP
Not only can Microsoft wash its hands of Windows XP support, but so can all the companies that made software for XP.
Assuming those companies stopped actively developing for the OS years ago, they are likely still supporting the applications that run on it. After Windows XP end of life on April 8, 2014, they'll have no reason to continue. The implications of this reality run far and wide. Line-of-business software is surely affected, as are any of the random applications you are using.
What really is cause for concern for desktop and virtualization admins, though, is that security software vendors will likely stop patching, updating and supporting their software.
What are your options?
If you want to stay with windows, your only options are
1) Upgrade your current PC - Very few older computers are able to run Windows 8.1, which is the latest version of Windows. We recommend that you download and run the Windows Upgrade Assistant to check if your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 8 and then follow the steps in the tutorial to upgrade if your PC is able. The Windows 8.1 system requirements are almost the same as the Windows 8 system requirements—so if your PC can run Windows 8, in most cases you can get the free update to Windows 8.1.
2) Get a new PC - If your current PC can't run Windows 8.1, it might be time to consider shopping for a new one. Be sure to explore our great selection of new PCs. They're more powerful, lightweight, and stylish than ever before—and with an average price that's considerably less expensive than the average PC was 12 years ago.
A concern of most people is how to transfer their data from the old XP computer to the new Windows 7 or 8 computer. Optima Computers offer a data transfer service which will setup your new PC in much the same way as your old PC. Note: not every application which worked with Windows XP will work with Windows 7 or 8. As such you may need to upgrade to the latest version of that software.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please call the office on 020 8445 6700
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