Security Updates for Windows XP
Microsoft reminded customers who are still running Windows XP that they will not receive security updates with today’s 05/13/2014 "Patch Tuesday" software event.
Despite Microsoft’s deviating from it’s previously stated policy of not providing security updates for XP, a patch for a vulnerability in Internet Explorer was recently done for Windows XP PCs, even though the software was technically DOA. There are rumors that this was done primarily to deflect possible criticism about the security vulnerability being discovered so soon after XP support was discontinued.
While Microsoft is aggressively trying to get customers to migrate to Windows 8.1, there are some glaring issues that were never properly addressed, such as:
- Many current PC users dislike the Metro UI so much that they are purchasing new computers with Windows 8.1 and getting downgrade license for Window 7.
- Many software developers have been holding off on developing applications for Windows 8.X certifications until Windows version 9 comes out, which is supposedly going to look and feel more like Windows 7. For this reason there are still many commonly used programs that are not certified for use with Windows 8.X.
- No clear upgrade process was developed for Windows XP users to easily migrate their data and programs to Windows 8.1 This means that doing so, requires a higher level of expertise, and assistance from trained professionals.
- Business and government proliferation of Windows XP installations is still very big. Recent estimates are that as much as 60 percent of the banking ATM’s in the U.S. are still running Windows XP, and that close to 30 percent of businesses are still running the operating system.
If you would like to find out if your current application software programs are compatible with Windows 8.1, please contact the CCS Retail Systems Support Department.