Most of the computers in the world currently run Windows XP, but those that do may have major problems in the not so distant future
It’s official. One year from today Microsoft will no longer support Windows XP. Beginning April 8, 2014 if you’re running Windows XP you can expect to receive absolutely zero Windows Updates to your OS.
The technological minority may wonder, “Who on earth cares about Windows XP?”, but the majority of users in the world don’t exactly ask the same.
According to NewMarketShare.com almost 40% of all PC’s in the world still run Windows XP.
Now again, to some that may not be amazing, but when you consider that Microsoft has come out with 3 subsequent operating systems versions (Vista, 7 and now 
combined with the fact that Windows XP came out in October of 2001, it should at least the raise some eyebrows with regards to the in-necessity for consumers to actually adopt new Microsoft’s latest and greatest operating system.
One commenter on the subject of XP’s expiring support said that, “I’d rather have software that works than software that’s supported?” That’s true. It should be noted though that an unsupported OS is bound for a world of trouble in today’s connected Internet environment. The fact that Windows XP is dropped from support means that it will surely be a target for Internet exploits and that means that a very large percentage of computer users will be affected.
I feel as thoguh a bit of personal opinion needs to be interjected here on the matter of XP’s PC dominance though. When we think about the users of Windows XP, it’s obviously not those that can typically afford iPads, new laptops or even the least expensive netbooks. Sure, you have Internet cafes and the like that have remained on the expiring XP to avoid licensing a new Microsoft OS every year as they’re released, but reality has it that It’s mostly the most disadvantaged in the worlds society that still remain on these older operating systems, such as XP. If you’ve ever stepped foot into a 3rd world country, that fact becomes immediately apparent and unfortunately it is also those that are most disadvantaged that are soon the be at the greatest risk of having PC’s made inoperable due to a now antiquated and unsupported OS.
As for the more fortunate in life. Well, you can’t buy Windows 8 Pro for $40 anymore as described in our “Windows 8: Microsoft May Soon Cash In On The Expiry Of Old OS Support” article, but if you feel it worth it, you can go ahead and dish out $289 for the upgrade.
