Can you believe that it’s been 15 years since Windows XP first came out? It has proved to be one of the most loved operating systems over the years and it still is being used by many people. According to NetMarketShare there are still 10.9% of computers running Windows XP, which is more than Windows 8.1 (9.56%) and only slightly less than Windows 10 (14.15%). It’s really amazing that an operating system developed over a decade ago is still widely used to date, but eventually all good things must come to an end. Major bugs have been discovered and Microsoft is not releasing new updates for Windows XP. Some attempts can be made to shore up security but it is a temporary solution.
Business Security
One of the biggest reasons you should be making a switch from Windows XP is the risk you are putting your PC and business in by using an insecure operating system. April 14th 2014 Microsoft will stop supporting the venerable OS which virtually makes your PC defenseless. Security experts believe hackers and cyber criminals may already be taking advantage of Window XP’s flaws and because Microsoft won’t be putting out new patches or updates to address these security issues. Even Google will discontinue its support for machines running Windows XP. However, Firefox among other options will be a secure bet for people sticking with Windows XP, but it is only a short term solution. At Heart of Texas IT we take network security very serious.
Modern Functionality
Windows XP may seem sufficient enough for some users, because it can run all the applications you need it to run, checks e-mails and surfs the web. Newer versions of Windows are more efficient and secure. Aero snap was introduced in Windows 7 and with it, you can drag up to maximize, drag down to minimize, and drag to the left or right to snap the window to the respective half of the display. Aero Snap basically makes your work smoother and makes it quicker. Once you’ve used it, you will regret all the time you spent dragging around windows in Windows XP. Windows 8 saves even more time by using a feature very similar to the Time Machine function on Mac OS X called File History. File History was introduced in Windows 8, and gives you a new way to protect your files. It supersedes the existing Windows Backup and Restore features of Windows 7. File History scans your files every hour or so, if you accidentally overwrite a file and change it up, but you want to go back to the way things were a few hours ago, you can restore the file from any point in the history. Another feature of Windows 8 and 10 is that it maintains itself so you don’t have to worry about any patching or updating. HOT IT offers several options for your businesses Backup and Disaster Recovery.
Windows XP has been one of the most reliable operating systems to come around. People have used and trusted it for years and a large number still do. However, times are changing and newer and more efficient operating systems have been introduced that are more practical to use. So it’s time your business let go and switch to a new operating system. Give us a call and we will get your business up to date.