Microsoft to remind Windows XP users of pending end-of-support date, offers free data migration tool

The REAL reason has nothing to do with data but everything to do with the users "ecosystem" of other products they might use with their aging PC.
 
It is unsafe to connect any computer regardless of OS to the Internet. Don't believe me, go talk to the guys in the Mal-ware subforum. Dropping support for XP will only make it more important to watch how you use the Internet, while on an XP machine.
Yeah I suppose all you have to do is look at how windows 98 fairs.
 
In a locked down business environment and/or within a domain, XP machines are protected by that environments rules and much stronger firewall only devices, like our Barracuda filters here at the Hospital.
While updates for security and compatibility are a concern, its not really a big deal for workstations that don't require Internet and only need to run in-house software. Even after they kill support you will have penny pinching and non-for-profit business's running XP for as long as possible.
If Microsoft were smart about supply and demand (which they aren't, hence their plummeting OS sales quarter after quarter) they would offer a great deal for upgrading but that can be a problem as well. Many business skipped over Vista so older machines have several years of wear and older hardware specs that may not run 7 at all, or very well.
Are only candidates for this our are HP DX2400's that have E2160's and even they are 5+ years old.

2 of my 4 XP boxes won't load/run Vista let alone WIN7/8/8.1. Upgrading the other 2 with ether of the newer OS would render them fairly to completely useless performance wise. (as they are early 'netbooks')

Surely the reliance on alternate browsers and hardware firewalls (and proxy servers) will keep these machines going for many years to come if and when they are used for internet access. Frankly with full internet browsers on modern cell+iPad/tablets I see little or no reason to upgrade any of these devices.

(I still own a Win98+Office97 laptop which has a printer driver installed that is capable of printing on my aging +12yo laser printer, while its slow its still FUNCTIONAL and not been connected to the internet for over +10yrs)
 
If a person never allows updates to XP they would not get any annoying messages to move from XP.
 
SOOOOO many cry babies. XP should of been dropped a LONG time ago. Computers are dirt cheap right now.... if you cant afford it use a friends computer or goto the public library..... or get a better job. If computers are SOOOO important to you you will make sacrifices to get a newer one.
 
SOOOOO many cry babies. XP should of been dropped a LONG time ago. Computers are dirt cheap right now.... if you cant afford it use a friends computer or goto the public library..... or get a better job. If computers are SOOOO important to you you will make sacrifices to get a newer one.
Yet another useful (not) comment from a guest. What they do not appreciate is that many organisations have purchased XP in the middle of the product life cycle. This would mean it is being used on comparatively new PCs. Take for instance at my work place I have a new laptop with W7. I have read the future plans for my organisation and there is no mention of moving to W8. In fact they are considering moving over to Open Office. Part of this is due to the fact that the EUA with MS was not renewed so new licences are now purchased on an individual basis. We all know that MS do charge quite a bit for licences.
 
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