Microsoft Warns Customers: Windows XP Support Ends In 365 Days

Microsoft on Monday reminded customers that it will stop supporting Windows XP in 365 days. Windows XP originally launched in New York City on October 25, 2001. Since that time, Microsoft has rolled out Windows Vista, Windows 7, and most recently Windows 8.

Microsoft plans to cut off corporate support for Windows XP SP3 and Microsoft Office 2003 starting April 8, 2014.

Once the company drops Windows XP support, users will no longer receive new security updates, hotfixes, and support.

The move to end support is a big step for Microsoft as just under 40 percent of all desktops and laptops worldwide still use Windows XP.

Windows XP ended mainstream support for Windows Xp in April 2009 but continued to offer extended support for its commercial customers. The company also promised to continue its release of security updates for consumers.

As of April 2014 Microsoft warns customers that using XP will be at their “own risk,” and that refusal to migrate will likely be more costly for customers down the road.

Microsoft is warning business customers that it can often take 18 to 32 months for them to go through the full deployment phase for a new OS.

Many company’s have refused to upgrade because there is no simple path from Windows Xp to Windows 7 in terms of upgrade packages. That lack of a direct path has put some strain on companies that do not have the support of IT workers.

Microsoft, in the meantime, is already using the end of Windows XP support to convince customers that Windows 8 offers a stronger interface with cutting edge technology. Microsoft is telling upgrade customers that Windows 8 “is the modern OS for modern businesses, building on Windows 7 fundamentals like speed, reliability and security, while creating a modern platform designed for a new generation of hardware options.”

Windows 8 has been adopted by approximately 3 percent of worldwide customers.

Microsoft is currently offering a 15 percent discount to Windows 8 Pro customers through June 30.