Small Business

Microsoft Officially Pulls the Plug on Windows XP. Now What?

By Rick Broida

Updated on: July 1, 2008 / 12:26 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

As you may have heard, yesterday was the end of the road for Windows XP -- the operating system most people really liked (except for its gaping security holes). What does this mean for you and your business? AppScout offers 10 things you need to know about the end of Windows XP, including:

Microsoft isn't "pulling" anything. Windows XP could still be available on retail shelves (real and online) if inventories exists. Search Gateway for Windows XP and you can find Win XP SP2 for $299 (you'd then download the SP3 update).
Microsoft will supply patches (mostly for security) until 2014 and offer per-call support (once you're past your two-free-call limit--and not counting unlimited installation support) for $59 a call, also until 2014.
Virtually all versions of Windows XP are covered by Extended Support.

In other words, although XP is no longer in production, you can still get many more years of life from the OS. I'm glad, because it's still my primary operating system, and definitely my favorite. (I've tried, Vista, I really have, and you just annoy the bejeezus out of me.) Any thoughts to share on XP's untimely (and largely unwelcome) demise? Hit the Comments and lets have a little OS wake.