Microsoft urges XP users to migrate to Windows 7

by Stevie Smith - Dec 8 2009, 05:49

Here’s a little snippet of information likely to sit uncomfortably with any new Netbook owner who’s recently opted for a system with Windows XP as opposed to one equipped with Windows 7: Microsoft is ending support for XP on July 13 of 2010.

While Microsoft has never hidden its desire to pull the plug on its stalwart XP platform – and has tried to do so several times in the past – XP’s enduring popularity throughout the Vista compatibility debacle left the longstanding operating system granted a stay of execution via hot-selling ultra portable Netbook computers.

However, a stay of execution is not a reprieve and, as such, Microsoft has this week issued a blog post reminding XP users that the rug will be whipped from beneath the platform’s feet in the summer of 2010 – and that a migration to Windows 7 would be well advised to ensure continued support from the boffins in Redmond.

“We have created an End-of-Support-Solution Center to help with the planning of your migration strategy,” offered Microsoft’s Stephen Rose in the official blog posting.

The aforementioned resource centre offers a migration guide for those looking to move from Windows XP to Windows 7, along with a Windows 7 Automated Installation Kit, and a User State Migration Tool.

According to Information Week, Microsoft is still likely to provide stubborn XP users with more major security-based platform updates beyond July 13, although core service packs, performance patches and other non-critical releases will be withdrawn as the faithful OS is spun down.

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