7 Reasons why it’s Time to give up on Windows XP Once And For All

Although businesses have been getting rid of Windows XP for at least the last 3 years, the fact remains that as of March 2013, nearly 39% of the world's PCs were still running Windows XP. That's about 600 million PCs.

Beginning April 8, 2014, security updates, non-security hotfixes, online technical content updates, and other free or paid assisted support options for Windows XP will stop, making it even more important to upgrade to a new PC with a current operating system.

Here are 7 of the top reasons it’s time to finally give up Windows XP now.

1. Security & Viruses. Microsoft won't be releasing any more security updates to the average user. Any security flaws that hackers find won't be fixed. Your computer will be a sitting duck, even with security software installed. There is a huge library of viruses aimed at Windows XP and limited antivirus support still available.
2. XP Is OLD (almost 13 years old!). And like a teenager, it is having trouble adjusting to the world, it wasn’t built for the modern digital age. The 1st iPod was released the same year as Windows XP. In a world where the 5th iPhone has been released, no one should be left using an O/S that pre-dates the 1st iPod! 
3. Least Secure Operating System (By Far!). ALL other platforms, including Linux, all versions of Mac OS X, Windows 7 and Windows 8 are more secure than XP by a huge margin. It's missing key security features introduced in Windows Vista. It can't support the latest, safest and most Web-compatible versions of Internet Explorer. Web developers will be overjoyed to see XP-only Internet Explorer versions 6, 7 and 8 go away. Those versions are so far behind other browsers, they practically have to write another website just for those browsers.
4. Built For A Simpler Time. XP was created for a simpler world of technology. It was formatted to fit to a screen only 640 pixels wide, and it showcased IE6 as a new product. The internet was a different place when XP was developed. Smartphones were non-existent, laptops were a luxury and tablet computers were science fiction.
5. No More Band-Aids. Only so many Band-Aid fixes on top of each other can be effective. Third party software vendors are also unlikely to support new versions of their applications on Windows XP. Third-party companies would love to stop supporting XP. It takes a lot of time and money to make sure programs and hardware work on every version of Windows.
6. Support Is Ending. Mainstream support of XP ended 4 years ago (April 2009) with only critical security updates since then.
7. Malware Everywhere. You can continue to use XP, but with more malware than ever. XP is by far the most vulnerable platform to connect to the internet.

XP is a relic from a different world. Use at your own risk. For more information on end of life support click here to visit Microsoft’s site.

www.windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows/help/what-does-end-of-support-mean  

Janet F, IT Consultant

Northern Computer - Your Trusted Partner
#1 - 495 Banks Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6A2
Phone: 250.762.7753 Fax: 250.861.1861 Toll-Free: 1.877.257.2896
Email: sales@northerncomputer.ca or service@northerncomputer.ca
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