Microsoft wants you to help loved ones get off Windows XP

By Konrad Krawczyk Published February 10, 2014

Microsoft is asking people to help their friends and family “get off” Windows XP, in an official blog post published by the tech giant.

“As a reader of this blog, it’s unlikely you are running Windows XP on your PC. However, you may know someone who is and have even served as their tech support,” writes Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc. “To help, we have created a special page on Windows.com that explains what ‘end of support’ means for people still on Windows XP and their options to stay protected after support ends on April 8th.”

Recommended Videos

LeBlanc then goes on to detail two options that Windows XP users have to upgrade. They can either use the Windows Upgrade Assistant to determine whether they can upgrade their current PC to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, or they can simply buy a new PC.

The decision to upgrade to Windows 8 or 8.1 is likely a tough choice for Windows XP users. There’s a notable amount of risk that comes with holding onto Windows XP once the April 8 “end of support” is upon us. So users of the outdated operating system must decide: Hold onto a more easily exploitable operating system, or spend hundreds of bucks for a system that has an OS that’s more secure, but significantly less liked by users, if market share numbers are any indication.

Though security experts might disagree with the former approach, the prospect of updating to Microsoft’s latest OS is a tough sell for the average Joe and Jane. Then again, there’s always Windows 7, which is the world’s most popular desktop operating system and can currently be had for around $100 on Newegg.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments below.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/RealCG Animation Studio

Konrad Krawczyk

Former Computing Editor

Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…

Topics

Computing

Google changes its Workspace privacy promise on ads, and opting out limits Personal Intelligence

Smarter AI answers, with a side order of ads.

AI mode in Google Search

There’s no such thing as a free recommendation. Google’s latest policy tweak is a clear reminder. Google has long promised that your Gmail, Drive, and Google Photos content never helps it personalize ads.

However, since October 16, 2026, its privacy policy adds a catch. The promise lapses if you let other ad-showing Google services use that content. That means using Personal Intelligence, an opt-in tool that lets Google’s AI search read your connected apps, does exactly that (via Google).

Computing

OpenAI is locking its most advanced AI models offline after a string of security scares

OpenAI’s fake internet is a safety fix and an admission.

Part of me is relieved that an AI lab is hitting the brakes. The other part wishes it hadn’t taken real incidents to get there.

OpenAI said Friday that its most advanced models will now train without live internet access. Instead, they’ll practice on a cached, simulated copy of the web.

Computing

Your Windows touchpad is about to make scrolling long pages way less tiring

Three touchpad tricks that make long documents feel a lot shorter.

Windows new scrolling feature

Today I learned about a touchpad tip that I think every Windows laptop user should know. Microsoft shared it as its Friday Windows tip of the day, and it’s all about scrolling.

If you read long documents, browse webpages, or write code on a Windows laptop, you know the drill. You swipe, lift your fingers, and swipe again until you reach the part you need. Microsoft has three touchpad features that cut down on all that swiping.