Microsoft ends support for Windows XP officially

Microsoft has announced the end of Windows XP. The software giant will no longer release security updates for the 12-year-old operating system and even Microsoft’s Office 2003. No security updates mean that the XP operating system is also vulnerable for hacking.

In an announcement, Microsoft wrote that time has come for them to invest their resources towards supporting more recent technologies.

Windows XP which was launched on October 25, 2001, is one of the most successful Microsoft products ever. The next version of operating system, Windows Vista was a failure and had to be replaced with Windows 7. In September 2012, Windows 7 overtook XP.

Free technical support and warranty claims for the Windows XP was ended by Microsoft in April 2009. Till today, the company provided paid technical support and security updates or patches. Still nearly 28% of computers are connected to the Internet by Windows XP.

The final security update for Windows XP was issued by Microsoft on April 8, 2014. U.S. federal agencies and some governments will continue to use XP by paying Microsoft to continue the support.

Normal users can still continue to use Windows XP and Office 2003. But they will be vulnerable to malware and security risks. Microsoft recommends upgrading Windows XP PC to a model that supports the latest Windows, 8.1 versions.