XP Dies in 34 Days, Has 29 Percent of Market: Here's Microsoft's Plan
We've warned you time and time again -- if you're running Windows XP, you need to upgrade, either your PCs, or at least the operating system. To be fair, the 29 percent of the population that is still actively using XP are probably either companies with proprietary software that isn't compatible with Windows 7 or 8.1, or people in developing countries, but still, if any of your firm's computers are on XP, upgrade.
Why? End of life means no more security updates. It means your PC (and your law firm's client files) becomes a hacker's dream. And Microsoft, ever mindful of the 29 percent of the world that hasn't upgraded (that's roughly 19 percent more of a market share than Windows 8 and 8.1 combined, by the way), has a plan to poke and prod you into upgrading.
It involves nagging and possible freebies.
Are You Running XP?
If you somehow aren't sure if you are running XP (it looks like this), Microsoft has created a site called AmIRunningXP.com (that's easy to remember) that will tell you.
Support for XP ends on April 8, 2014.
Microsoft Really Wants You to Upgrade
According to the Windows Experience Blog, in four days, Microsoft will pop up a reminder telling everyone on XP that they have one month left to live. Thereafter, a reminder will pop up (unless the recipient elects to end the nagging) on the eighth of every month.
If you're looking to upgrade, believe it or not, your best move might be to wait a few weeks. Rumor has it that Microsoft is preparing a new low or no cost version of Windows 8.1, one that will likely be greatly locked down and/or integrated with Bing, and used as a carrot to encourage upgrading from either XP or 7, reports Ars Technica.
Other rumors say that the new version could be trimmed down to work on older hardware. (Geek Sidebar: MS has done this previously, with Windows FLP, a super-stripped down version of XP for ancient computers, then with Windows Thin PC, based on Windows 7).
And if you do decide to upgrade, after you pay for your OS upgrade (or Microsoft releases one for free), MS has partnered with LapLink to provide a free PC Mover tool to migrate all of your files over gratis. Nothing beats free.
Are you still on XP? Seriously? Why? Tweet us about it @FindLawLP.
Related Resources:
- 'Kill-Switch' Legislation Pending; Will it Kill Phone Theft? (FindLaw's Technologist Blog)
- Smartphone Roundup: iOS Security Flaw, Blackphone, BlackBerry Q20 (FindLaw's Technologist Blog)
- Are Lawyers Really Flocking to Macs, iPhones, and iPads? (FindLaw's Technologist Blog)
