If you’re still using Windows XP, it’s time to upgrade. What does that mean for Windows XP users? This means no technical support from Microsoft, no OS upgrades, and no security fixes or updates. Although Windows 7 is today used on over 40% of Windows-based computers, it too has been discontinued for general support as of January 2015, with extended support dropping in January 2020. Microsoft released the next significant OS version – Windows 7 in October 2009 to general availability (without mention here of the less popular Windows Vista). This is significant to all computer users concerned with vulnerability to hackers, cybercriminals, unauthorized access, or phishing schemes.

To users of XP, this meant that no additional support or security updates would be forthcoming. As most software companies do, Microsoft then focused on upgrades to their new offering, and discontinued enhancements to the Windows XP OS.Įxtended support for WIN XP was dropped in April 2014. However as technology advanced, Microsoft continued to build new functionality and performance features into each subsequent version of Windows, with Windows 10 being the most current and advanced version of the operating system ever released. Microsoft was hard at work developing Windows XP as early as the late 1990s, and began producing the OS for manufacturing in August 2001, with general availability reaching markets the following October.Įven today, nearly 2% of computers are running Windows XP, including a 34% share of computers that run Windows, in some countries. Stability improvements over prior Windows versions.Enhanced support for hardware devices and multimedia.First Windows version not based on MS DOS.First Windows OS offered in both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures.Windows XP offered many groundbreaking advances in technology and functionality:

Tech Radar estimates that over 500 million copies of the system were sold worldwide, making WIN XP the system of choice for both consumers and businesses alike.

Windows XP has been one of Microsoft’s most popular and enduring operating systems.

Win xp to win 10