Microsoft Extends Windows XP Support...again [Corrected]

Published: January 16, 2014 3:49 PM /

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This time Microsoft is in fact not extending support for the Operating System itself, but for its security suite, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). Previously, we and other sites reported it was the OS itself and we apologize for that mistake! The correct information, taken from Microsoft themselves in an update, is that MSE will be continued into 2015.

Windows XP has been a widely used Operating System that has been running for over 12 years, and Microsoft is finally pulling the plug. Speculation was that perhaps too many systems were still using Windows XP, or maybe they just wanted to give more time to their 12-year-old product. Either way, MSE is being extended to July 15, 2015 in order to allow more customers and users to upgrade to either Windows 7 or Windows 8, while still being covered with some form of security.. This end of life for the operating system is a tricky situation for Microsoft, with the need to push its consumers on to newer and up-to-date products, while on the other hand millions of users and business still use Windows XP on a daily basis. The constant changing of their date for the end of Windows XP Support was not helping them to push people off of the product. Fortunately, they are sticking to removing support for the OS, choosing instead to continue trying to protect those who wanted to keep the system.

Here's the deal, it's important that if you have Windows XP for you to upgrade to a newer operating system in order to keep up to date in your security and softwares on your machine. If you don't, the system will be open to a range of threats that can take information from your internet browsing, take your files, or just take down your system. It's important that you don't wait on this, even if XP is currently supported. If you happen to be looking for help in upgrading, let us know in the comments! We'd be glad to answer any computer related questions!

Their previous page had the following message for XP users:

As a result, after April 8, 2014, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC. Microsoft will also stop providing Microsoft Security Essentials for download on Windows XP on this date.
The current message for XP users is as follows:
Microsoft has announced the Windows XP end of support date of April 8, 2014. After this date, Windows XP will no longer be a supported operating system*. To help organizations complete their migrations, Microsoft will continue to provide updates to our antimalware signatures and engine for Windows XP users through July 14, 2015.
This means that, although previously after April 8 users would have been in the dark security-wise, they now have some more time. We want to stress a second time, however, that  you should still upgrade your system before the April End Date to avoid any potential issues. This goes double for any business customers!

Upgrade before the date (July 15, 2015), but it is HIGHLY recommended that you upgrade before the end-of-life for XP itself (April 8, 2014)! Let us know in the comments what you think, or if you need help! We love helping people build and purchase new PCs!

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Rutledge Daugette
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Rutledge Daugette is the Guides Editor & Founder of TechRaptor. Rutledge's degree in Game Programming ultimately led him to found the site in 2013, with… More about Rutledge