Microsoft Ends Support for Windows XP

R.I.P Microsoft Windows (image credit: bluelogic)

From today, April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for Windows XP. The company has therefore urged those using the 13-year-old software to migrate to a modern operating system (OS) such as Windows 8.1 to protect themselves against malware and cybercrime.

Announcing the move last year, Microsoft said PCs running Windows XP were six times more vulnerable to threats than other operating systems, and the company is still urging user to migrate.

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. “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”, the company said in a statement.