Windows XP is a Dead OS Walking (For Reals This Time)

Posted 07/12/2011 at 7:07am | by Paul Lilly

21

Comments

Print

We've lost count of how many times Windows XP has been sentenced to death, only to receive a stay of execution from Microsoft in some form or another. Give netbooks credit for keeping the popular OS alive longer than it probably would have been had netbooks never been popularized. But even those have migrated to Windows 7. Well, Microsoft has made the decision to finally retire Windows XP, for good, three years from now.

On April 8, 2014, Microsoft will cease providing security patches and hotfixes for all versions of Windows XP, the company's Stephen L. Rose announced in a Windows 7 Team Blog post.

"Wouldn’t it be great if the glory days lasted forever? But reality is trophies get dusty, records are broken, and what it took to be the best ten years ago, just isn’t enough for today’s standards," Rose wrote. "Things get better, faster. And eventually, it’s time to move from good enough to something much better.

"Windows XP had an amazing run and millions of PC users are grateful for it. But it’s time to move on. Two reasons: 1) Extended support for Windows XP is running out in less than 1000 days, and 2) there’s an OS out there that’s much better than Windows XP."

Once Microsoft cuts off support for Windows XP, machines running the decade-old OS will be susceptible to security threats. In addition, Microsoft claims third party software providers aren't planning to extend support either, which adds another layer of risk to those who refuse to upgrade.

Rose goes on to tout Windows 7 and its many advantages. By the time Windows XP is finally retired, however, everyone in Redmond will be talking about Windows 8.