Dear readers,
As you all know that recently Microsoft has decided to stop providing support for its popular operating system, Windows XP, after a 12-year successful run. Technical assistance that helps protect your PC will end for all individual and professional subscribers across the world beginning April 8.
Know more about Microsoft recent move...
Microsoft's decision to end their Windows XP support has created ripples across the globe as a study shows the OS still makes up for almost 30% of the desktop market.
On April 8, 2014, support and updates for Windows XP will no longer be available. Don't let your PC go unprotected.
What is end of support?
After
12 years, support for Windows XP will end on April 8, 2014. There will be no
more security updates or technical support for the Windows XP operating system.
It is very important that customers and partners migrate to a modern operating
system such as Windows 8.1.
Customers moving to a modern operating system will benefit from dramatically enhanced security, broad device choice for a mobile workforce, higher user productivity, and a lower total cost of ownership through improved management capabilities.
Customers moving to a modern operating system will benefit from dramatically enhanced security, broad device choice for a mobile workforce, higher user productivity, and a lower total cost of ownership through improved management capabilities.
What does this mean?
It
means you should take action. 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.
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.
Potential risks of
staying with Windows XP
Running Windows XP SP3
in your environment after April 8, 2104 may expose you to potential risks, such
as:
1. 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.
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. 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.
Frequently
Asked Questions
1. Can Windows XP still be activated after April 8, 2014?
Windows
XP can still be installed and activated after end of support. Computers running
Windows XP will still work but they won’t receive any Microsoft Updates or be
able to leverage technical support. Activations will still be required for
retail installations of Windows XP after this date as well.
2. Can Windows XP Mode in Windows 7 still be used in
Windows XP?
Windows
XP Mode follows the same support lifecycle as Windows XP, extended support will
end April 8, 2014.
3. Will MED-V be supported after April 8, 2014?
Windows
XP used with MED-V follows the same support cycle as Windows
XP, support ends April 8th, 2014.
4. Will Microsoft Security Essentials be supported after April 8, 2014?
Microsoft Security Essentials will not be available for download on Windows XP after April 8, 2014. If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you will continue to receive anti-malware signature updates through July 14, 2015. However, please note that PCs running Windows XP after April 8, 2014 should not be considered protected.
5. Will Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool be
supported after April 8, 2014?
Microsoft's
Malicious Software Removal Tool is aligned with the company's anti-malware
engines and signatures, and as such the removal tool will continue to be
provided for Windows XP through July 14, 2015. However, any PC running Windows
XP after April 8, 2014 should not be considered protected as there will be no
security updates for the Windows XP operating system.
6. Will System Center, Windows Intune, and Microsoft
Deployment Toolkit still support Windows XP?
While
customers may continue to use System Center, Windows Intune, and the Microsoft
Deployment Toolkit to manage and deploy Windows XP past April 8, 2014, those
products will no longer support Windows XP, and any technical issues which may
arise will not be addressed.
7. Will existing updates still be available via Windows
Update after April 8, 2014?
Yes,
all existing Windows XP updates and fixes will still be available via Windows
Update and WSUS.
6. Will Internet Explorer 8 still be supported on Windows
XP?
As
a component of Windows, Internet Explorer follows the support lifecycle of the
Windows operating system on which it is installed on. More information is
available at Microsoft Support.
8. Which machines will receive the Windows XP End of
Support notification?
The
notification will be sent to users of Windows XP Home and Windows XP
Professional who have elected to receive updates via Windows Update. Users in
organizations using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), System Center
Configuration Manager, or Windows Intune will not receive the Windows XP end of
support notification.
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