Skip to main content

Microsoft really wants you to ditch XP, offers gift card and other incentives to upgrade

In case you somehow haven’t already heard, in less than a month Microsoft will stop offering support for Windows XP. That’s right folks, come April 8, there’ll be no more software or security updates for the aging operating system, leaving machines still running it exposed to all kinds of potential issues, some of them rather unpleasant.

According to data from StatCounter, about 18 percent of computers around the world are still running XP, a factor which may have prompted Microsoft to launch a final push to get stragglers to upgrade.

Recommended Videos

No, this “final push” doesn’t involve dark-clad Microsoft minions turning up in the small hours to offer a quiet word in your ear about why you really should ditch XP, but instead centers on a few incentives that it hopes might motivate you into taking action, prompting you to finally put the old OS to bed.

The incentives include a $50 gift card, 90 days of free support, and free help with data transfer if you buy a brand new Windows machine from its online store.

The listed machines include four desktops ranging from $700 to $1300, and four laptops priced between $280 and $700. A bunch of 2-in-1 PCs and tablets are also available.

The gift card is clearly the most attractive part of the deal, but be aware that it can only be spent on something from Microsoft’s online store.

The free “premium” support comes via phone, chat, and sales channels and covers “virtually anything” – as long as it concerns your new computer, of course.

As for the free data transfer, the computer giant has partnered with data migration service Laplink to help you easily transfer all your files, settings, and user profiles from your old machine to your new one.

Final note – the offer is available till April 30 or “while supplies last.” Oh, and don’t forget: “Microsoft reserves the right to modify or discontinue offers at any time.” So if you’re thinking of taking advantage of this particular one, better get your skates on.

[Microsoft’s Windows offer for XP users]

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
An elegant Mac app has turned my basic tasks into a whole lot of fun
Who knew switching between apps could be so much easier and elegant?
Employing the Dory app switcher on a MacBook Air

The concept of an app switcher tool is rather odd. After all, why would you need a tool for jumping between apps, when the Command+Tab shortcut works just fine and the three-finger swipe opens the Mission Control on the Mac? Well, there are solutions that work better. 

Second, when you bring the mouse and keyboard combo into the picture, the fluid convenience of the trackpad gesture flies out the window. Over the years, the developer community has produced some real app switcher gems. 

Read more
Upgrade to the Alienware 18 Area-51 gaming laptop with RTX 5070 Ti — $500 off!
The Alienware 18 Area-51 Gaming Laptop on a white background.

You should be ready to spend a lot if you want a powerful gaming laptop, but you should also be on the lookout for potential savings. Now's a great time to check out Alienware deals because of Dell's Black Friday in July sale, which includes a fantastic offer for the Alienware 18 Area-51 gaming laptop. This configuration with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card is down from $3,300 to $2,800, which is still expensive, but you wouldn't want to miss this chance at $500 in savings. You have to hurry though, as stocks may run out at any moment!

Buy Now

Read more
Save $100 on our pick for the best printer
HP includes full ink bottles with the Smart Tank 7602.

What do we need to print these days? Tax forms, student essays, and clearly-legible letters? Not so much. Bright invites, pictures, and presentation accompaniments? Yes, yes, and yes! In today's world, the typical person's needs in an inkjet printer are far different than the last time you were likely to have bought a printer. And the industry is catching up. Right now, our pick for the overall best printer of 2025 is $100 off as part of early Prime Day deals. That makes the $450 printer just $350 if you buy now. Plus, it comes with two years of HP's ink included. So, tap the button below to go check out the HP Smart Tank 7602 for yourself or keep reading to see what we like about it and what we found out during our review.

BUY NOW

Read more