Microsoft will stop offering technical support for Windows XP from April 8 next year, but many firms have not made sufficient plans to move to a newer system, it has been claimed.
Besides using a system that hampers productivity, users that stay with Microsoft XP beyond next April risk being victims of cyber attacks as Microsoft stops releasing security updates.
Fewer than half of all large organisations have started to migrate from XP to Windows 7, the company said.
Fewer than one in four companies had moved over to the newer Windows 7 operating system at the end of last year, according to a separate survey by 1E, an IT specialist.
“The message is loud and clear – organisations that are not yet off the starting blocks or only a little way down the track are highly unlikely to complete before the Microsoft deadline,” Sumir Karayi, CEO at 1E, said.
Microsoft recommends companies prepare 18 to 32 months beforehand if they wish to switch from XP to Windows 7.
Windows XP came out in 2001 and remains the second most popular operating system for PCs. 38.7 per cent of PCs use XP, according to NetMarketShare. Microsoft has released Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 since XP. Windows 7 only became the most popular desktop operating system in September last year.
“In these tough economic times, it is not surprising that business leaders do not want to invest a substantial amount of money in something that essentially isn’t broken, as is the case with Windows XP today,” Adrian Foxall, CEO of Camwood, said.
TUB Verdict:
The main reasons why companies had not switched to Windows 7 were awaiting permission from management, cost and concern about the process. We completely agree. XP worked, and was easy to use. So what if Microsoft will cease support of XP products. We are sure there are IT specialists who could make a good business plan by focusing on support and repairs for XP computers.
PS: We still remember FCKGW–RHQQ2–YXRKT–8TG6W–2B7Q8 by heart 😉
Share/Comment/Like/Tweet to save Windows XP!
Share/Comment/Like/Tweet to save Windows XP!
www.theunbiasedblog.com
