Despite reports to the contrary, Microsoft says it will stop serving software updates to versions of Windows XP in China on April 8, just like every other version of the 12-year-old operating system.
An official Microsoft post on Sina Weibo (a popular social network in China) was interpreted as a reprieve for Chinese-based Windows XP users regarding the April 8 end of support deadline. However, ZDNet reached out to Microsoft, which denied that the company will offer an extension of support for Windows XP users located within China’s borders.
That said, all is not lost for China’s Windows XP users: Redmond will partner with Chinese Internet security companies in an effort to continue offering support to the aged OS. Individual security companies may continue to provide updates for XP users, who still make up 57 percent of China’s PC users, but that doesn’t change the fact that Microsoft plans to close the curtain on Windows XP support come April 8.
Those running Windows XP will begin seeing popup notifications on their desktops on March 8, informing them that the end is near. Only users of Windows XP Home or Professional Edition who have Windows Update automatically enabled will see the update. The popups will continue to appear on the 8th of every month, but at least they can be disabled, which we recently confirmed with Microsoft.
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