You have just less than 6 months to upgrade the Windows XP OS before it reaches the end-of-support dateline (8th April 2014). In Singapore, more than 600,000 computers are still not updated to the next OSes.
Here is the Press Release regarding this matter.
Press Release
Over 600,000 PCs in Singapore need upgrades with six months left before Microsoft Ends Support for Windows XP
10% of PCs in Singapore will no longer receive OS updates from Microsoft from 8 April 2014
Singapore – 9th October, 2013 – Microsoft today reminded businesses and consumers in Singapore with PCs still running Windows XP that it will officially retire service and support for Windows XP in six months’ time, on 8 April 2014. With half a year left to this crucial milestone, there are over 600,000 PCs in Singapore, or one in 10 PCs, which are still running on Windows XP, an 11-year-old operating system no longer capable of handling sophisticated cyber-attacks and demands for more data privacy and productivity.
After 8 April 2014, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, non-security related fixes, online technical content updates or phone technical assistance for Windows XP. This means users will no longer receive the updates that help protect PCs from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. This may result in downtime and software compatibility issues.
Microsoft urged all businesses and consumers still using PCs running on Windows XP to upgrade to either Windows 7 or Windows 8. According to the findings of Microsoft’s Security Intelligence Report, Volume 14, released in April 2013, Windows XP with SP3 is up to 56.5 times more vulnerable than Windows 8 RTMi.
StatCounter figures for September 2013 show that Windows XP still accounts for approximately 10% of PCs in Singapore. That’s still equivalent to over 600,000 PCs, above the half-million mark. On the bright side, as of September 2013, consumers and businesses have been slowly upgrading to newer versions of the operating system, and at least 58% of PCs are now on Windows 7 and 8.
John Fernandes, Chief Marketing & Operations Officer, Microsoft Singapore, said: “While we understand that some consumers and businesses may prefer the familiar Windows XP interface, they really need to consider newer operating systems like Windows 7 or 8 in order to modernize their computing devices and to address sophisticated threats which could result in additional costs associated with support and business continuity. With the typical deployment times for upgrades spanning more than six months for mid-sized businesses, we are really concerned that some companies in Singapore are cutting it too close to the end of service date. We’re absolutely committed to helping owners of Windows XP PCs upgrade and will continue all possible efforts along this path.”
Industry analysts have been advising businesses to move away from Windows XP over the past years. With six months to go before the end of service for Windows XP, IT analysts are stepping up their education efforts to drive a greater sense of urgency.
“Time is running out,” says Handoko Andi, Manager of Client Devices Research at IDC Asia/Pacific. “In order to make sure that PCs continue to be securely supported and operational, both consumers and businesses alike should be migrating to newer versions of the operating system now, given the termination of extended support for Windows XP in just six months’ time.”
Charlie Dai, Principal Consulting Analyst, Enterprise Architecture, Forrester Research, made the following comments in his blog post, “Take a forward thinking, while pragmatic approach to Windows Migration”, on 17th September 2013: “Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 have been widely used on the client side and server side. Very few companies have put Windows migration on its IT evolution roadmap. However, I believe the time is now for IT professionals to seriously consider putting Windows upgrade into the IT road map for the next 6 months as Windows XP and the pirated OS won’t be viable much longer to support your business. We believe that Windows will continue to be a leading operating system as the base experience for IT professionals in 90% of companies globally is still on Windows. The upcoming availability of Windows 8.1 also provides substantial reasons for companies to migrate.”
Customers can visit the Windows Upgrade Centre website, which features insights from analysts and customers on their XP OS migration journey, and the latest special offers from Microsoft’s partners.
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