FAQ's & Tips

Windows XP is going away, what is the real concern?

– Kyle Kontney

Windows XP had a good long run from 2001 to 2014. Awesome! Now Microsoft is dropping main support for XP April 8th, 2014. Boo! Sad! Actually, a good thing. If you are running Windows XP of any kind, please don't be offended by this statement. In fact, if you are a Windows XP user here are some facts that you should know:

• Windows XP was made back in 2001 – I am not sure about you, but we all felt and looked different in 2001. 2001 in today's computing world is ancient and outdated.
• Microsoft wanted a 10 year operating system – Well they got 10 years and 3 extra ones thrown in!
• There has been 3 Operating Systems since Windows XP – Windows Vista (not so good), Windows 7 and Windows 8.
• You were never so secure – Microsoft designed Microsoft XP to be easy for developers to create software for. It was easy, too easy. In fact any software developer could write software that actually got directly onto the system and its' files and damage your PC. So it was too easy for virus writers to write viruses to exploit and damage Windows.

So, what is the real problem? The Real problem with Windows XP being retired is that it is most likely on hardware that is outside of its' "Healthy to still use" phase. Windows Vista Came out in 2007 (7 years ago). Microsoft still allowed you to by Windows XP PC's until 2008. So that means your PC is 6+ years old. Now, the national average for lifespan of PC's in the home is 4 to 6 years. The national average for PC's in the business setting is 3 to 5 years.

Our concern is that if you have Windows XP, it is most likely on hardware that is well outside its' usability range and will fail at any time. Having a PC "just die" is the hardest type of PC to replace for the following reasons:

• Possibly no Backup – All your files are now gone, including e-mail, iTunes and Pictures.
• Buying a PC under duress – Because of the sudden loss of your PC, you might purchase a PC from a "Big Box" store and it will be residential grade and will fail in 1 to 2 years (maybe 3 if you are lucky).
• We cannot move everything easily – When a PC dies we cannot study how it was setup. Details cannot be studied and reconfigured on the new PC. Certain settings would be lost or near-impossible to transfer.
• Downtime – If your hardware fails unexpectedly the problem is your downtime will be much longer and more costly especially on your business.
• Extra Emergency Cost – If you need us to stop our projects and regular work, there might be emergency "stop everything and help us" fees that go along with the project of setting up the new PC.

So what is the solution? Replace your PC-Period! Do it before your PC dies. Come see us and purchase a Business Grade PC that will last 4 to 6 years. Let us transfer your data, settings, mail, iTunes and files to the new PC. Not under duress. Not in a panic. Not guessing how the PC was setup. Rather in a controlled and successful manner.

Goodbye XP, you served us well.

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