Bekker's Blog

Blog archive

The Windows XP Deadline Cometh

Now that it's April 2013, that means there are approximately 365 shopping days until the official end of support for Windows XP.

All of Microsoft's many customers for Windows XP, which was on sale between 2001 and 2010, must be off the OS by April 8, 2014. To paraphrase what they say in the bar at closing time: "You don't have to go to Windows 8, but you can't stay here."

The doorway could get crowded in the rush for the exits. As of March, data from Net Applications still put Windows XP market share at 39 percent of all PCs worldwide.

In technical terms, Microsoft is ending extended support for Windows XP. That means no more public, paid support per incident, per hour or otherwise; no more security updates; and no more guarantees that there will be Windows XP information in the Microsoft Knowledge Base or in other online resources. Some large customers had hoped for an out in something called custom support contracts. Analysts at Gartner Inc. have discouraged customers from going that route, arguing that the contracts cost more than customers commonly anticipate and that an upgrade to Windows 7 (Gartner's recommended post-Windows XP path) may actually cost less.

In any case, partners can anticipate another reminder in a few months at the annual Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC). Each of the last two years, Microsoft executives have told partners how many days remain until Windows XP support ends. When the WPC starts July 8, there will be 275 days left.

Posted by Scott Bekker on April 03, 2013


Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.