Microsoft Offering Windows XP Users Money Off to Upgrade

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Get a credit when you go with the new OS.

With less than a month to go, Microsoft continues to remind (nag) Windows XP users that support for the platform will end on April 8, 2014. After repeated warnings, the company is now taking the financial route by waving money under their noses.

As shown here, if customers abandon their Windows XP rig and purchase a new Windows 8.1 device, they'll receive a $100 gift card -- doubling last week's $50 gift card offer -- along with 90 days of free tech support, and a free data transfer. While that doesn't seem like much when compared to the cost of a new laptop or desktop, this move shows that Microsoft is willing to take a cut in the wallet to get everyone on the same platform.

"End of support means that software updates for Windows XP will no longer be distributed by Microsoft or its hardware partners," reads the company's FAQ. "This includes security updates that help protect PCs from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software that can steal or damage personal information. It also includes maintenance updates that improve reliability and performance and ensure that Windows XP works well with other software and hardware."

So why is Microsoft shutting down Windows XP? Look at it this way: the platform arrived in 2001, but was under development in the late 1990s. Sure, Windows XP was an awesome platform in its day, but it's time to let go… if you can, of course. There are likely still customers and businesses alike out there running legacy software that may not run correctly with Windows 8.1.

"While most Microsoft software is supported for 10 years, Windows XP has been supported for more than 12 years, longer than any other Windows version," the FAQ reads. "It's been a great run for this popular and even beloved operating system; it's now time for Microsoft, along with our hardware partners, to retire support for Windows XP so we can focus on supporting more recent technologies for delivering great customer experiences."

To see a list of devices Microsoft suggests, head here. These include all-in-ones, tablets, 2-in-1 PCs and laptops.

Kevin Parrish
59 Comments Comment from the forums
  • mapesdhs
    If they offered the same upgrade offer but for Win7 instead, I bet they'dreceive a much stronger response...Ian.
    Reply
  • jacobdrj
    They should offer Windows at reduced cost again: $35 is an impulse buy...
    Reply
  • mapesdhs
    I just bought a whole load of unused Dell OEM Win7/Pro/64bit packs off eBay instead (10 of them), they were
    only 45 UKP each. Plenty still listed, all complete with COA, etc. They come from unsold business systems.

    Ian.

    Reply
  • Maxor127
    Anyone who hasn't upgraded to Windows XP either is computer illiterate, or they haven't done so on purpose. And I bet none of those groups would like Windows 8.
    Reply
  • gggplaya
    Windows 7 is actually really good, definite improvement over windows xp. Unless you have proprietary company specific software, it's worth the switch.Windows 8, no way am i ever switching to that garbage unless i get a windows tablet.
    Reply
  • canadianvice
    Win XP was fine. Windows 7 is the one that should be on the pedestal though. It is easily the best version MS has put out - I would still take 8 over XP.Windows XP needs to go away on mainstream consumer machines - these people mostly do not know how to lock down the system, and I see no reason they should have a right to contribute to the botnets that make life hard for the rest of us.It's pure negligence. If you can't afford to keep your pet from hurting others, the state puts it down. Not the pet's fault, but still, you can't be harming others just so you can selfishly keep using an archaic operating system.
    Reply
  • Spac3nerd
    Anyone who hasn't upgraded to Windows XP either is computer illiterate, or they haven't done so on purpose. And I bet none of those groups would like Windows 8.
    'computer illiterate' ? Not true at all. If a computer system is still capable of running its given task well , there is no need to 'upgrade'. There are major multi-billion dollar companies that still run pre-Windows XP machines, or even PS/2s for that matter. Your average Win XP PC is more than capable of doing what average people do on PCs (light web browsing, text editors etc..), and those users see no reason to upgrade, nor do they really have to. It may come as a shock to Toms' users but not everyone needs, or wants a $1200+ machine.
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    12953973 said:
    They should offer Windows at reduced cost again: $35 is an impulse buy...
    Having a cheap new OS does not help much when the hardware is 8+ years old and does not have any up-to-date drivers for Win7/8.
    Reply
  • canadianvice
    12954315 said:
    Anyone who hasn't upgraded to Windows XP either is computer illiterate, or they haven't done so on purpose. And I bet none of those groups would like Windows 8.
    'computer illiterate' ? Not true at all. If a computer system is still capable of running its given task well , there is no need to 'upgrade'. There are major multi-billion dollar companies that still run pre-Windows XP machines, or even PS/2s for that matter. Your average Win XP PC is more than capable of doing what average people do on PCs (light web browsing, text editors etc..), and those users see no reason to upgrade, nor do they really have to. It may come as a shock to Toms' users but not everyone needs, or wants a $1200+ machine.

    Even when your system can be compromised far easier and most of them aren't able to take care of it?
    A computer is not like a fridge or something a person might repair themselves to keep running - they depend on having a third party support it to a large degree, and that's not there anymore. Some people know how to remove viruses and the like, but the vast majority of the population does not.

    Oh well, I guess I should be cheering XP. I work in a place that offers computer repairs, so it'll mean more money for us.

    It's now going to become a danger to others, and for that reason it has to be put down - still usable otherwise or not.
    Reply
  • masteroftheuniverse
    Duh Microsoft, nobody WANTS windows 8 for ANY price - even if you were giving it away free 95% of people on XP would stay with the better OS, XP. Intentionally making it obsoletely won't change the bald fact that Windows 8 sucks and nobody wants to put it on their machine.
    Reply