Microsoft Extends Windows XP Anti-Malware Updates 1 Year
Microsoft will keep Windows XP users protected against malware for an extra year.
Here's good news for all those stubborn Windows XP users who refuse to give in to all the upgrade hype. Microsoft plans to keep supplying anti-malware protection via its various security solutions for another year. The catch is that the programs can't be downloaded once the company pulls the lifeline on Windows XP, so install them right now if they're not installed already.
"For enterprise customers, this applies to System Center Endpoint Protection, Forefront Client Security, Forefront Endpoint Protection and Windows Intune running on Windows XP," reads the company's malware protection center blog. "For consumers, this applies to Microsoft Security Essentials."
This does not affect the end-of-support date of Windows XP, or the supportability of Windows XP for other Microsoft products, which deliver and apply those signatures, Microsoft points out. Instead, the company seemingly acknowledges that consumers and businesses alike may not be totally ready for a complete switch over to a new platform when Microsoft kills support in April.
Still, the company is taking the opportunity to remind customers that the effectiveness of anti-malware solutions on out-of-support operating systems is limited. Running out-of-date software is just plain bad news and bad business.
Of course, for many companies, it's not as simple as moving from Windows XP to Windows 7. They may be using "extremely" old legacy software – running in DOS even – that may not perform well in a newer platform. That said, upgrading may continue to take longer than Microsoft had hoped while customers seek out new solutions (and budgets) to replace their legacy software.
"Our goal is to provide great anti-malware solutions for our consumer and business customers," the blog adds. "We will continue to work with our customers and partners in doing so, and help our customers complete their migrations as Windows XP end of life approaches."
Microsoft will continue to provide updates to its anti-malware signatures and engine for Windows XP users through July 14, 2015.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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theclash150 XP needs to be added to the "do not resuscitate" list! It's inhumane to keep it alive.Reply -
ta152h I have Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8.1. I had to finally retire Windows 2000. Windows XP is still, by far, the fastest, and does everything I need.Windows 7 is the worst, but it's still fine. It's bloated, slow, but not too difficult to work with. Windows 8.1 is missing a real start button, but at least is faster than Windows 7. It's a close call between Windows 7 and 8.1, but 8.1 has the extra speed.A lot of people just prefer XP, like I do, because it's so much faster, and it does what they need to do. It's hard to see the extra value in 7 or 8.1 in most situations.Reply -
FrankInKY @ ta152h I must agree, XP just works for me, other OSs need workarounds to get the job done. And XP is faster. What's not to like? I can do without the bling of Win7 and 8.Reply -
Morbus ReplyYes upgrade to NSA Inside Win 8
You do realize Windows 8 is way easier to hack than Windows 7, right? If you're running XP, chances are your machine is part of several botnets and you don't even know it.A lol. -
NightLight people, let go of ALL older operatings systems, it's OVER! thumb me down all you want!Reply -
theclash150 @ta152hBootup time != speed. In most other metrics Windows 7 wipes the floor with XP.Reply