What were you doing on your computers 12 years ago? Windows XP was a new operating system, touting a best of class experience for your small business. Today, Windows XP is out of date and soon to be at risk because support for the product is ending on April 8, 2014. Unsupported versions of Windows XP will continue to operate but can leave your business unprotected. Without the software updates, there is nothing to protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, which can steal your personal information.
End of support means no further support will be provided for the product:
- No security updates
- No free or paid assisted support options
- No updates to online content (KB articles, etc.) although online content may be available, if still in the Online Self Help Support phase
Continuing to operate Windows XP will also make using new hardware, such as monitors and printers, and new software difficult. As new hardware and software are released, their drivers will not be updated for Windows XP. In most scenarios this means the new software and hardware will be incompatible with your Windows XP machine.
Visit the Support for Small Business site to find links to tools, guides, information and other options to help you get updated, and keep your business more secure.
We, at Microsoft, provide ‘Talking Business’ to help entrepreneurs and business owners’ succeed. We believe in your ability to innovate and in the ability of technology to help, so to support ‘Talking Business’ we have many resources available for businesses like you. We have an informative newsletter, blog posts by people in the industry, and a community looking to help small business succeed.
Follow us on twitter - @MicrosoftSB, or use the hashtag #TalkingBusiness to find out more information