For those of you who don’t know, the support for Windows XP will be ending on April 8th. This quickly approaching deadline will have a worldwide effect on computing. 38% of the world’s computers are still running Windows XP, and probably will until the end. If they do not upgrade, there might be dire consequences in store for them. The end of life date is almost here, and consumers need to be ready. For all of you New Jersey XP users, this is what XP’s end of life, or EOL, will mean for you.
End of Life
End of life is the label given to a product’s timetable when it has reached the point at which is its use has more or less officially ended. XP users might argue to the contrary, but Microsoft, the supplier, has deemed it so. It is at this point that Microsoft intents to cease all selling, marketing, supporting, and all but acknowledging XP as a product. Microsoft, like many other companies, has done this with all of its outdate products, but none of them has ever had such a lasting effect as XP’s EOD will have. XP’s EOS, or end of sales, date was June 30th, 2008. When comparing the two dates, its easy to see that Microsoft has given users plenty of time to get their act together and upgrade their system. Many New Jersey computer users didn’t heed the announcement. They are going to have to change their machine’s set up or deal with the after math.
EOL for XP
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. End of life, or end of support, for XP machines, means that it is completely unsupported by Microsoft, and will not have any kind of updates. Probably the most critical updates that will be missed are the security updates. New Jersey XP users will no longer have protection from harmful spyware, worms, viruses, and other kinds of malware. With those kind of liabilities running rampant it will be impossible for XP users to get the support they need. This entities can take your data, spy on you, and even steal your identity. In addition to the lack of protective support, Microsoft will not provide any updates or new drivers for changes in hardware or programs.
Many of these problems will be seen in the business sector. 3 out of every 5 companies are still using XP and they have not prepared themselves to survive after April 8th. These companies will be huge targets from malicious software developers. In 2014 we saw a 30% increase in internet attacks on small businesses. Attackers work their way up to larger businesses afterwards. All companies running XP will be completely open to hack attacks. If that happens to you after April 8th you’ll be wishing you had upgraded your system. As Microsoft’s own website says, EOL “means you should take action.” So, enough fire and brimstone, it is time for New Jersey XP users to take action, before it’s too late. It takes updating and migrating. Both of them have many benefits, beyond not letting hackers grind your home or business to a pulp.
Microsoft suggests that you get a more current version of Windows, and update your copy of Microsoft Office. This action will not only keep you supported, but it will increase your computer’s performance, stimulating you and your employees to be more productive. It’s a win, win, win situation. You will be able to utilize the latest technology and improve your device services, like using the cloud.
Update
Updating is the first step in protecting yourself from the events following Microsoft XP’s EOL. Upgrading isn’t too very difficult, but it is necessary. It’s important for you to decide how much you want to upgrade. Obviously you need to upgrade your operating system, but you could also update your hardware. An upgrade to Windows 7 is about $70, and upgrading to Windows 8 is about $80. Depending on the type of applications you used your computer for, it may be more cost effective in the long run to upgrade your hardware, and get a new computer with one of these two preinstalled. In the face of XP’s EOL, Microsoft is even offering $100 to help buy a new computer or tablet, plus free data transfers and tech support. Microsoft is trying rather dramatic measures to incite people to upgrade. It is rumored that they may even offer a cheaper version of Windows 8.1 after the plug is pulled on XP. For New Jersey XP users that do not intend to upgrade hardware, Microsoft can help you figure out what kind of upgrade is best for your hardware.
Migrate
After upgrading it is important for users and business to migrate all of their data and settings to the newer computers and operating systems. Microsoft can help with the technical side of migration using their plethora of resources and expert knowledge. To try it, use the Windows Easy Transfer tool.
Every one using XP will have take some sort of action. Whether you are a small New Jersey business, or just a guy running the family computer, you need to prepare for Windows XP’s EOL. Prepare wisely.