As of April 8, 2014, the support for the Windows XP and the Office 2003 came to an end. Microsoft says that 10 years of software is equals to 100years in technology, making the software prone to many defaults and attacks.

“These products were released over 10 years ago, and have had free updates over that decade. We will no longer continue to release these updates, but even if we 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 has changed—for the better,” says Microsoft. “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.”

They further said that using the Window XP after the April date will be putting business at risk as there is no quick fixes that can replace a critical OS update.

The company further said that there issies that users should be wary of:

• 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.
• 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 andOffice 2003 updates.
• Discontinued support – Because our updates often fixed problems before you were aware of them, you may have never needed our 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.
• Downtime – The risks of system failure and business disruption could increase because ofthe End of Support, lack of supported software, and aging hardware runningWindows XP. Even a system running an updated anti-virus or modern browser isnot safe from potential issues that may cause downtime

“We want you to be safer by making sure you aren’t running Windows XP and Office 2003 by April 8, 2014. Protecting you and your business is our first priority. It’s also important for us to help you make the right IT decision and give your business the best chance at success. Here are four key reasons why small- and mid-sized businesses are choosing Windows 8.1 and Office 365—the modern Microsoft platform,” says Microsoft.

Together Windows and Office are the gold standard for business platforms. By joining over one billion users worldwide, your communication with potential customers is less likely to be disrupted, and you’ll limit training costs as you upgrade to a familiar environment. Only Windows enables a consistent experience across devices by allowing users to sync personalization settings, apps, and data across tablets, laptops, desktops, and all-in-ones. This means getting work done is easier, no matter where you go.

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