What will exactly happen to Windows XP users now?

Two days ago Microsoft’s official support for Windows XP ended. Despite the fact this was expected and that there is no need losing sleep over it, those whose computers still are running WinXP – and they are many – are still confused as to the eventual consequences of this termination and to how this may affect their machine. There have been countless articles in the media recently about this subject, but what users are looking for are simple, straight, clear answers, free of IT high-tech jargon.

Despite being 12 years old WinXP remains the version of MS-Windows that it the most trusted, the most “respected” to date, and by users and computer techies alike, what’s more. With its speed, ease of use and high degree of reliability and stability, WinXP is, by any measure, the most successful, longest serving Windows for small machines. Hence the fact that many are still clinging to it and are reluctant to move to Windows 7 (not a bad one after all) or to the loved-hated Windows 8. Unverified news that Windows 9 could be here in a year or two doesn’t change anything to the current situation.

Ending support for WinXP means that its makers will stop releasing updates for it. Updates are important for most of them are released to address security issues. It’s the usual cops and robbers game. With time hackers find flaws in systems. Then the systems’ makers find a counter-attack by releasing an update that addresses the specific flaw. That is until hackers-robbers find another vulnerability point in the system. It goes on and on.

Therefore ending support means ending updates, which in turn means increased vulnerability with time. It’s as if the manufacturer of the gun you have stopped making ammunition for it.

Again, in practical terms, Windows XP will slowly, though not surely, be more exposed to hacking with time. In reality chances are that a good Internet security programme like, for instance Kaspersky or BitDefender, in their strong versions, will be perfectly able to protect a WinXP-based computer, easily making up for any weakness or vulnerability that hackers or bad-intentioned people may uncover and that Microsoft itself won’t address anymore.

Users would also love to have an answer to another question, this time a direct, blunt one: “Should I give up on WinXP now and move up to Win7 or Win8?” Well, regardless of hacking and system exposure to risk, the answer is a frank “yes”.

In the realm of IT, 12 years is a very long time. Even if Microsoft didn’t stop supporting XP the system is showing its age. Applications of all kinds now rely on a computer and software structure referred to as 64-bit, as opposed to the older 32-bit. Only Windows versions starting with seven and up handle 64-bit computer architecture in a comfortable and powerful manner. And of course, 64-bit is better than 32-bit, understandably.

Therefore moving up from WinXP makes sense, and not for fear of seeing your WinXP attacked by malevolent hackers, but perhaps simply to stay in the race, to use the most up-to-date applications and computer features, for more efficient internet connectivity, wireless networking and countless other benefits.