Windows XP - End of Support from Microsoft

Windows XP End of Support. What does this mean for me? 

April 8, 2014, marks the End of Support for Windows XP and Office 2003.  What does “End of Support” actually mean? 

After April 8, 2014, there will be no more updates or support for Windows XP and Office 2003. These products were released over 10 years ago, and have had free updates over that decade. Microsoft will no longer continue to release these updates, but even if they did, these products were designed for a different era of technology and are now impractical for a modern business. Along with that, the opportunities technology offers your business have changed—for the better! Newer products are designed to take advantage of the massive growth of the Internet and mobility to offer great new ways to work, reach more customers, and grow faster. It’s this combination of risk and opportunity that make it the right time to move off Windows XP

How can “End of Support” affect my business? 
We won’t sugarcoat it: If you are running Windows XP after April 8, 2014, you are putting your business at risk—and please don’t believe anyone who claims that quick fixes can replace a critical OS update. There are genuine and important issues you should be aware of: 

1) Security Risk
-Without critical updates, your PC will be susceptible to attacks that take advantage of vulnerabilities. These attacks not only cause downtime but can also put your customers’ information or your own business data at risk. 

2) Software Issues
-Most software and hardware vendors will no longer support products that are running on Windows XP, as they are unable to get Windows XP and Office 2003 updates. 

3) Discontinued Support
-Because Microsoft updates often fixed problems before you were aware of them, you may have never needed tech support. But now that these updates are to stop, new problems may arise—only now there will be no one to contact for tech support.

4) Downtime
-The risks of system failure and business disruption could increase because of the End of Support, lack of supported software, and aging hardware running Windows XP. Even a system running an updated anti-virus or modern browser is not safe from potential issues that may cause downtime.

Upgrade your computer operating system today. Rhode Island PC in Exeter offers affordable upgrade solutions for your home or business computers. Most upgrades are completed within 24 hours, and we migrate your data documents over to your new Windows system. Call today, 401-484-7870 - or visit our store located in the Oak Harbour Plaza on Rt. 2 (567 South County Trail, Exeter, RI).