Windows XP support from Microsoft ending in early 2014

Microsoft has announced already that certain older versions of Windows have been removed from support:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/end-support

This is one of the few places I've seen an official, albeit tangential, statement that Windows XP SP3 - the *last* version of Windows XP - will be out of support on April 8, 2014:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307853

That seems a long way off, but if you have a corporate strategy that still includes Windows XP - either by preference or due to an application requirement or limitation – or if you have an old Windows XP machine around that’s just sitting there providing some function it’s always provided just fine - it's time to have a firm plan now to upgrade from Windows XP in the next calendar year. Yes, that a year ahead of the official termination of support. Still, that is our recommendation – no sense running into an externally imposed deadline.

Having an operating system exit support may not sound like an urgent matter, but it is since it means that updates will no longer be provide. This includes *security* updates, even for identified security problems for which there is no defense.

It’s important. Windows 7 is a very solid, very usable system. Windows 8 will be out this year. Windows Vista is a memory. Windows XP is a relic. 

It’s time.

We can help!

Windows 7 - installation experience

Having used it now for about 18 hours, I really like Windows 7.  It has a ton of refinements that make it easier to use.  It's much faster than Vista, and is rock solid so far. 

I installed it over the top of Vista on my own laptop - I always experiment on myself first!

I downloaded the upgrade advisor, http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15, and ran it.  It identified a handful of programs I'd installed that needed to be updated to run with Windows 7.  I also upgraded to Norton Internet Security 2010, just to be sure.

I decided to install as an upgrade, rather than starting from scratch.  The installation took almost 3 hours.  It didn't ask me a thing after it got started.  I just watched it go.  Remember, I have a TON of software installed on my machine - more than most people. 

As it started, it identified two additional pieces of software that I needed to update for Vista. N.B.: the majority of the total of 10 programs I was advised to update were Lenovo utility programs, most of which I don't seem to need, since I just removed them and haven't reinstalled them.

There have been NO wrinkles after the update, with one exception, and that's a program I use extensively.  This program, the very cool MaxiVista, isn't something normal people would use, though, and the only action I had to take was to uninstall and reinstall it.  It adds virtual display drivers, and they needed to be added in to 7 directly.

All in all, very easy, if a bit slow.  I understand that a clean install can take mere minutes.  This would be because a clean install doesn't have to preserve and update all the settings and programs from the previous operating system.

If I were a normal person would I pay $219.00 for the Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade?  Probably not.  The upgrade to 7 Professional for $200 or to Home Premium for $120, maybe. 

I would without hesitation buy a new machine with Windows 7 instead of either the aging Windows XP or the much (and unjustifiably) maligned Windows Vista, though!