Still Using Microsoft Windows XP? 2014 Is Closing In!

Microsoft will be supporting the various iterations of Windows XP, its Flagship 10+ year-old operating system until August in 2014. That's more than two years away, a lifetime in the technology world. But for businesses still using Win XP, an exit strategy is probably in order!

For our clients we simply replace aging XP computers with Win 7. We never did purchase or install a Windows Vista computer. We inherited a few, but migrated them to Win 7 as quick as we could. 

The transition to Win 7 is very straightforward and simple - just replace the computer with the new operating system. If you've kept XP and bypassed both Vista and Win 7, you will probably end up using Win 8, which will be a bigger transition than Win 7 for your employees. Of course, by that time you may not need Windows.  

Two years from now our clients will be even less dependent on Microsoft as they continue to move to cloud applications and other devices than the desktop and laptop. Chromebooks and tablets will play a significant role in that process. 

I was reminded of this because of this artile in EWeek. Windows XP had a great run, but the age of Microsoft dominance is over. 

Microsoft Windows XP: 10 Years Old but Still Matters - Enterprise Applications - News & Reviews - eWeek.com

Here is a snippet from the Windows support page showing the OS support dates. Note that Service Pack support for the products has already ended. 

Visit On-Site Technical Solutions for information on how you can move to Google Apps or other Cloud Computing applications. Call us for all of your network computing and business IT needs. We can also help with your data security and mobile computing. Follow us online below. Call or text me at 1-949-212-2168.

 

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Windows 7 Launches Today - Help & How-to from Microsoft

While many people already have Windows 7 and have been testing or simply running it as their OS, today is the official launch. On-Site Technical Solutions is happy to have it available and breathe a sigh of relief that Vista won't be installed in any of our supported environments.

We'll also rejoice at the thought of "no more Vista downgrades!"

Here is Microsoft's Windows 7 Help & How-to page. You might want to start with Getting started with Windows 7. Sounds logical, but if you're a guy who doesn't' read directions and isn't all that technical it might be worth a view.

Here are the Windows 7 system requirements. In previous Microsoft OS launches the system requirements have been laughingly low, as in "try running anything but the OS on THAT hardware." However, we've found Windows 7 surprisingly spry compared to both Win XP and Vista on the same hardware. While Vista ground many of our older client systems to a halt (hence some of the downgrades to Win XP), we anticipate the continuing replacement of older hardware will minimize that issue with the rollout of Windows 7.

The Windows 7 features page is nice because it lets you browse features, functionality and how-to by category or alphabetically and includes a FAQ on 32-bit vs 64-bit processing.

After taking a pass on Vista, we're optimistic about Windows 7 - but we won't be converting any SMB or enterprise clients today! After all, also included by Microsoft is Windows 7: Top Solutions, which we know is going to grow and we also know we're going to be spending our fair share of time there.

Also included in Win 7 is an improved backup utility. Backup and Restore (This link is part of Features above.)

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When is Windows XP Going Away?

The last formal date from Microsoft for shipping Windows XP was in May, 2009. Now we're down to following rumors on the XP death watch. It looks like it might be around (shipping with new PCs) into 2010.

Here's a post from CIO back in December

Windows XP: The Microsoft OS That Just Won't Die

and a more recent post from Network World

Windows XP Death Date Pushed Beyond Windows 7 Release

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Windows XP Shortcuts

If you've already made the transition to Vista, you can ignore this - but here's a helpful list of shortcuts from CNET.

Windows XP shortcuts on your keyboard

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Uh-Oh, MS Windows XP really IS going to be harder to find...

Every time we build a system on the Dell website they tell us, in bright red lettering, that June 18 is the last day to order a system with Windows XP. Microsft said in multiple statements over the past year or so, "Windows XP will no longer be available for purchase from Microsoft for general retail and OEM partners as of June 30, 2008."

Ah, but the operating system that wouldn't die isns't quite dead yet!

Retailers can continue to sell copies as long as they were purchased before June 30, and manufacturers can continue to sell Windows XP PCs as long under the same circumstances. Expect to see them available for a while, just not from Dell.

Another option for someone purchasing a new PC will be "downgrade rights." The OEM can sell a PC with Vista as the operating system, but downgrade it to Windows XP before shipping it. Dell will apparently only be offering this for a handful of models and only until January, 2009. advertising that yet, but I'm sure we will. These PCs will ship with both operating system and driver disks so the buyers can upgrade to Vista if they're so inclined.

Microsoft will be offering bug and security updates and support for Windows XP until April, 2009 and security updates until April, 2014.

Here is more information directly from Microsoft via their Windows Life-Cycle Policy page and MICROSOFT SUPPORT LIFECYCLE BLOG

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Microsoft patches Windows TCP/IP, LSASS flaws

From SearchSecurity.com

Attackers could exploit several flaws within Windows to hijack targeted computers and do a variety of damage, Microsoft warned as it released two security patch bulletins Tuesday. The vulnerabilities affect various versions of the operating system, including Windows XP SP2 and Vista.

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Still Buying Windows XP

We've had to downgrade a couple of laptops from Vista to Windows XP and have yet to purchase a new workstation with Vista. We're buying Dells with Windows XP (usually Pros, although we have bought a couple of Home Editions).

We don't have anything against Vista, but with the problems we did run into we ask our customers if they have a need (or desire) for Vista and so far it's been a unanymous "let's stick with XP." We are supporting a handful of Vista machines and other than the two that needed to move back to XP, they've been ok.

We'll probably continue to buy XP into 2008 now that Microsoft has decided to keep selling it (Microsoft extends Windows XP's stay), according to CNET.

CNET also tells us that Microsoft is allowing PC manufacturers to offer a downgrade to XP to buyers of new computers with the Windows Vista Business and Ultimate versions The (XP alternative for Vista PCs).

Fujitsu has gone so far as to include a XP disk with its laptops and tablets, says CNET.

and from eWeek... XP's Success Isn't Vista's Failure

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