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Windows XP is dead.
Long live Windows XP!
Well, to be more accurate, Windows XP will soon become an officially dead platform.
In just under a year from now, on 8th April 2014, Microsoft will cease all support for this ageing operating system, and Windows XP will be declared obsolete.
But what does this mean for Australian Small Business owners who are still happily using this outdated software? If there’s still a whole year left to go, there’s no immediate need to spring in action, is there?
Well, in the interests of protecting your Business from the increasing threat of very real security risks, you might need to consider acting sooner rather than later…
When it comes to updating our operating systems, it’s fair to say that some of us enjoy keeping up-to-date with the latest new releases and upgrades, whilst others don’t really share the same levels of enthusiasm and urgency.
In all honesty, you can’t really blame someone for feeling less than excited about a new operating system which looks ever so slightly different to the previous version.
There are probably far more important things in life to worry about.
There’s a guy down at Smokey Joe’s Small Business Bar who never saw the need to upgrade from Windows 95, as he “doesn’t like change.”
Meanwhile, here at Martin Print H.Q, Old Bert is still trying to get to grips with his Commodore 64, and refuses to try out anything more advanced until he’s finally conquered the mysterious complexities of this ancient beast…
If you’ve been quite content to stick with good old Windows XP over the last few years, then you’re certainly not alone.
According to Microsoft, 11% of Australian PC users are still using Windows XP today, despite the fact that this clunky operating system will be chalking up its 12th birthday later this year.
But what exactly will happen when Microsoft finally pull the plug?
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Well, on the face of it, nothing very much.
It’s not as if Windows XP will suddenly disappear in a magical puff of smoke on 8th April 2014.
The operating system will continue to run on your computer, just as it always has in the past.
But the hugely important point that you need to start considering now is that Microsoft will no longer be delivering security updates or any kind of support for Windows XP users from this date.
In a nutshell, this means that your system will very quickly become vulnerable to malicious attacks from every dark corner of Cyberspace, with zero updated protection.
On top of this, Microsoft are also keen to remind you that third-party software and hardware retailers will inevitably stop supporting and updating XP products when the operating system is officially declared dead.
So, you could ultimately end up running an abandoned and downright dangerous operating system which will put your crucial business data at serious risk with no hope of support from a single source.
It really is a no-brainer.
If you’re still using Windows XP, then you need to start making plans to upgrade as quickly as possible.
Slow adopters in the US are already being lured into enticing new special offers to upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8, whilst it is reported that Australians will receive our own local Windows Upgrade Center Web Page at the end of the month.
So keep an eye out for the most rewarding and cost-effective way of finally migrating to a new operating system!
In the meantime, further information on the closure of support can be found right here.
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Funnily enough, that guy down at Smokey Joe’s Small Business Bar has finally decided to upgrade from Windows 95.
At long last, he seems to have accepted that we all need to embrace change and take advantage of the compelling new opportunities that are right at our fingertips.
So, he’s finally taking the plunge and is upgrading to…Windows XP!
Hmm.
I might need to have a quiet word in his ear…
But what operating system do you currently use for your Small Business activities?
Do you like to keep completely up-to-date with new releases and upgrades?
Or are you quite content to stick with an ageing operating system right up until the very end of its shelf life?
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