Why you need to replace Windows XP
17 MAY 11
With the Windows XP "end-of-life" drawing nearer we believe that you need to be planning your upgrade to Windows 7 now. Microsoft have announced that 2014 will be the official end-of-life for Windows XP, but there are significant reasons why you shouldn't wait that long, and why your security could be at risk if you do.
Windows XP is the most commonly used PC operating system in the world today, and we certainly still have many clients operating on this platform. Windows XP was first released in 2001 which means this platform is 10 years old - and that is a very long time in the world of technology!
At Optimus Systems our recommendation is that you need to start planning your upgrade to Windows 7 now and below we'll explain why.
Technical Support
In April 2009 Microsoft moved Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) from "Mainstream Support" to "Extended Support". This means that Microsoft will continue to provide regular security updates, but technical support, warranty claims and design changes are no longer being offered.
Security Risk
In the first half of 2010, Windows XP SP3 computers were infected at a rate almost five times higher than Windows 7 computers. Much has changed since its release in 2001 and XP is simply too antiquated to combat modern-day hackers and virus writers.
Upgrade to Windows 7
Due to the above reasons we believe that you need to be planning your migration to Windows 7, so that you can make a smooth transition before problems are experienced and there is limited support. In your technology planning you need to be considering how you will facilitate the upgrade. There are two options for upgrading: 1) purchase new Windows 7 licenses and upgrade your current PCs, or 2) purchase new computers with Windows 7 pre-installed. Obviously the choice between these two options will depend on the age of your current PCs. If your PC's are only one or two years old, then option one will be perfectly suitable. However, if your PC's are older then you will need go with option two. Many older PCs are simply not powerful enough to run Windows 7, and even if they are, the investment to upgrade may exceed the value of the computer. Certainly, for computers that are at least four years old, it is more cost-effective to replace them with new computers that have Windows 7 pre-installed.
This is not something that needs to happen overnight, but if you start planning now then you could potentially phase this migration over a number of months spreading the cost of your technology spend.
If you would like to start planning for your Windows 7 migration please give the team at Optimus a call, and we'll happy to assist you.
Windows XP is the most commonly used PC operating system in the world today, and we certainly still have many clients operating on this platform. Windows XP was first released in 2001 which means this platform is 10 years old - and that is a very long time in the world of technology!
At Optimus Systems our recommendation is that you need to start planning your upgrade to Windows 7 now and below we'll explain why.
Technical Support
In April 2009 Microsoft moved Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) from "Mainstream Support" to "Extended Support". This means that Microsoft will continue to provide regular security updates, but technical support, warranty claims and design changes are no longer being offered.
Security Risk
In the first half of 2010, Windows XP SP3 computers were infected at a rate almost five times higher than Windows 7 computers. Much has changed since its release in 2001 and XP is simply too antiquated to combat modern-day hackers and virus writers.
Upgrade to Windows 7
Due to the above reasons we believe that you need to be planning your migration to Windows 7, so that you can make a smooth transition before problems are experienced and there is limited support. In your technology planning you need to be considering how you will facilitate the upgrade. There are two options for upgrading: 1) purchase new Windows 7 licenses and upgrade your current PCs, or 2) purchase new computers with Windows 7 pre-installed. Obviously the choice between these two options will depend on the age of your current PCs. If your PC's are only one or two years old, then option one will be perfectly suitable. However, if your PC's are older then you will need go with option two. Many older PCs are simply not powerful enough to run Windows 7, and even if they are, the investment to upgrade may exceed the value of the computer. Certainly, for computers that are at least four years old, it is more cost-effective to replace them with new computers that have Windows 7 pre-installed.
This is not something that needs to happen overnight, but if you start planning now then you could potentially phase this migration over a number of months spreading the cost of your technology spend.
If you would like to start planning for your Windows 7 migration please give the team at Optimus a call, and we'll happy to assist you.
