Windows Xp has been the darling of Microsoft way back October, 2001 before Windows 7 landed in October, 2009. After 13 years of service Windows has announced it has issued the last security update for the Windows XP and Office 2003 on Tuesday (08/04/2014).
Users will no longer receive security patches and other technical supports from Microsoft unless they are part of businesses and governments who have exclusive agreement with the Redmond based company and are also paying for custom support.
“Microsoft has provided support for Windows XP for the past 12 years. But now the time has come for us, along with our hardware and software partners, to invest our resources toward supporting more recent technologies so that we can continue to deliver great new experiences,” wrote Microsoft in an official announcement.
Security experts are advising users still on the operating not to fall prey of cyber thieves and they also face very high risk of infection. According to research, about 20 to 25 percent of users still stuck with XP after there had been three major releases of Windows since 2001.
A total of 11 vulnerabilities were addressed by the final update, seven for XP and four for Office 2003. Windows XP is one of the most successful products ever. It took Windows 7 several years to overtake Windows XP as the most popular desktop operating system.
Users can continue to use the Windows Xp and Office 2003 but as time goes on there will be they will be more vulnerable to malwares and other security risks. Microsoft recommends users to upgrade their PC to models that can make run Windows 8.1 and also gave instructions of how to move data from windows XP to 8.1.
