WINDOWS XP SUPPORT HAS ENDED

Windows XP – What you need to know about its discontinuation

Microsoft Windows XP updates will most likely stop on the 8th April 2014. This means also that any existing security software may also fail to work correctly. This could leave your Windows XP computer open to virus attacks and hackers from the internet.

You will be able to continue using your Windows XP machine, as long as you do not connect to the internet. If you do run your Windows XP computer on the internet, your files and passwords will be open to a potential Hacker Attack.

You can, however, download a free piece of software – Microsoft Windows Upgrade Advisor. On running the advisor, you actually find out if your Windows XP machine can be upgraded. If it can be, we recommend that you upgrade to either Windows 7, or to Windows 8.

Your computer will still work if you continue to use Windows XP, even now when support has ended. It might however become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Internet Explorer 8 is also no longer supported. Therefore if your Windows XP PC is connected to the Internet and you use Internet Explorer 8 to surf the web, you might be exposing your PC to additional threats. Also, as more software and hardware manufacturers continue to optimize for more recent versions of Windows, you can expect to encounter more apps and devices that do not work with Windows XP.

How do you move all your Windows XP stuff to a new PC or reformatted machine?
One way to do shift your Windows XP stuff is with Laplink. Laplink is a free data migration solution that will walk you through all the stages to do the move. From getting your files, your personal settings, and your user profiles from your Windows XP PC, and copying them to your new Windows laptop, desktop, or tablet. You’ll still need your Windows XP PC to migrate your data. You can only migrate to a PC running Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1.

Useful Links:

• Windows Press Release
• C-Net