Microsoft: Windows XP Users Are Missing Out
An unnamed Microsoft representative recently spoke with Softpedia about Windows XP and how consumers and businesses are handling the transition. As it stands now, no less than 28 percent of the desktop computers worldwide are still running Windows XP. That's not good news given that Microsoft is gearing up to pull life support two months from now.
"Back in September 2007 we announced that support for Windows XP would end on April 8, 2014," the Microsoft rep said. "Since then we've been working with customers and partners to raise awareness that support for Windows XP was ending, and to help them migrate existing Windows XP PCs to a modern operating system."
Fortunately for Windows XP users, Microsoft will continue to update the Malicious Software Removal Tool until July 14, 2015. But that doesn't mean the platform will be fully protected; the actual security updates that are handed out on Patch Tuesdays will be cut off for Windows XP users. That is not a good thing, as users will be wide open to malicious attacks.
"Our research shows that the effectiveness of antimalware solutions on out-of-support operating systems is limited," the representative said. "Running a well-protected solution starts with using modern software and hardware designed to help protect against today's threat landscape."
Yet the question is, why are customers holding on to Windows XP? Why can't they embrace newer, more secure platforms like Windows 7 or Windows 8.1? Some of the resistance may be due to change, or it could be related to outdated legacy software that doesn't perform well in Windows 7 and above.
The problem could be due to not knowing that support will be cut, such as a parent or grandparent who still uses an older dusty computer simply to pay the bills. The problem could be a neighbor who just doesn't care, or a business that believes they're special and will continue to receive updates. You know who those people are.
"Companies still on Windows XP are missing out on tangible benefits of modernizing their IT investments from dramatically enhanced security, broad device choice to meet the needs of a mobile workforce, higher user productivity, and lower total cost of ownership through improved management capabilities," the representative said.
To read the full interview, head here. Also, don't be afraid to speak your mind if you see someone still using Windows XP.

Apart from governments, most companies even in this "recession" have been posting record profits. They have the money to upgrade but instead of investing they would rather save the money to keep those profits up.
It is this kind of thinking that made what happened to Target common these days. Instead of moving to something more secure or fixing a security hole, it is ignored.
I wont get into the Windows 8 thing as I think the problem with it mostly is people stop learning at a certain age and it becomes harder for them to. One thing you could do to avoid headaches is install a third party PDF reader like Adobe and then set defaults to desktop apps. If you have them on 8.1, set it to boot to desktop and pin their most common apps to the start bar. As well you can make it so the Start Screen comes up with a list of all the apps and even tell it to list desktop apps first making it easier on you and them.
That said, most software companies stop support for a product well before Microsoft has for XP. Microsoft is not "forcing" them off but rather telling them they need to move on. Even if they didn't stop support, XP is not nearly as secure as 7 is even with patch support. 7 has more advanced security features built in and a stronger kernel. Same with 8/8.1, it is even more secure than 7.
Sometimes it is better to just move on. Did I wan to let go of my 99 Ford Contour SE when a faulty starter (from Autozone, never buy their crap) fused and burnt out itself and the belt? No, but it wasn't worth the cost to fix and instead I got $1K towards a new car.
Sometimes you have to move on.
Would be nice but I doubt it would work. People don't read much these days nor does reading comprehension tend to exist.
How long have you been buying consumer electronics? The day you buy it, it is out of date as something better comes out. I bought a Galaxy S4 and less than two weeks later they had a better one with a higher clocked CPU and faster LTE capabilities.
As for your card, I do miss the AiWs but that is more AMD not supporting the GPU with drivers, not Microsoft. The oldest GPU that they actually support is the HD 5000 series officially. They do drop some drivers for older (HD2K-HD4K) but I doubt they will continue.
That is normal. Hardware gets older, the market share for it starts to lower therefore they have no real reason to keep adding time, money and resources to make drivers for hardware that almost no one has these days.
Why is it PR? Microsoft does actually care somewhat as they need to keep clients happy so they will buy their future products.
Overall MS makes a great product lineup for networks and businesses and they need to make sure customers are happy with the product that way they can guarantee a future purchase.
If you have a IT department that doesn't take your needs into account, you need better IT.
Secondly, you also have to look at it from an IT perspective. There are more viruses, vulnerabilities and security holes. That means for an IT department that has to deal with XP there are more possibilities of issues and time.
As well there is support issues. Even about one to two years ago hardware manufactures started to stop producing drivers for their hardware on XP. That means if a part goes out and the only replacement of this needed part only have 7 and later drivers, then you are pretty much screwed.
It is what it is and I get when companies cannot afford to but some of them make the excuse.