Windows XP is over

Windows XP goes. The operating system of Microsoft, launched on 25 October 2001 , we said goodbye. Redmond today issued a last fix pack (the famous patch Tuesday) and urges the ultimate users of the operating system to migrate to a newer version of Windows . Microsoft gave a press conference yesterday evening, while focusing on its plans for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 update, also reported on the risks faced by users who still use the old OS.

On April 8, 2014 therefore marks the end of support for Windows XP. Microsoft will no longer publish any update of its operating system. Only companies can obtain updates from Microsoft updates sold at exorbitant prices because they require costly development teams. For the general public, no further update will be not released, except that published today. Clearly, what does all this mean? Here's a little summary of what you need to know:

• If you still use Windows XP today, all is not lost. The latest patches from being published , you theoretically still a few days before the first security vulnerabilities of the OS will be exposed by hackers. But it is imperative to hurry.
• The risk that the victim OS are significant security vulnerabilities are enormous. Windows XP is still installed about 27% of users worldwide, hackers already grind brains to discover vulnerabilities in the OS, which their will undoubtedly infect a machine, take control, to retrieve personal information from the remote user, etc..
• It is imperative to migrate to a newer system . It may be Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 Update (or even Vista, why not) or a Linux distribution. Note also that, to switch from Windows XP to a much more recent version of the system, and without loss of data, Microsoft recommends the application Laplink PCmover Express .
• If you wish to continue to use Windows XP temporarily, install a complete security solution. It will not protect you 100%, but will limit the damage until full migration.
• Finally, perhaps more anecdotal, Office 2003 is also patched today for the last time. The office suite can also be a victim of security breaches, it is strongly advised to migrate to a newer version of Office, or failing version to opt for a free solution as Appache OpenOffice .

Finally, for more details, please see our big file on the migration of Windows XP to Windows 7 or Windows 8 , as well as our FAQs stop supporting Windows XP .