If you have Windows XP, start preparing for its death

If you haven’t heard already, Microsoft will be ending support for Windows XP on April 8th, 2014.

What exactly does this mean? Well, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to use your computer running Windows XP after this date. Everything will still work just fine. You just won’t receive any more security updates from Microsoft.

This shouldn’t be taken lightly. These security updates often plug up security holes that might allow someone to access your computer without your authorization and/or trick you into downloading malware on to your computer.

What should I do?

Should you keep chugging along with Windows XP or move on? This one’s easy. You should move on. Or at the very least start preparing to move on. Heck, you’ve still got nearly 11 months to take action.

What does moving on entail? For some, it might mean upgrading their operating system to the latest and greatest version of Windows, which is Windows 8. For others it might mean buying a new computer that comes pre-installed with Windows 8.

Honestly, I can’t imagine the better option for anyone is to upgrade their operating system on their existing computer. Windows XP is nearly 12 years old which means most Windows XP owners have an old computer. Check that, an ancient computer. Which means, it is slow, lacks memory and probably still runs a 32-bit architecture. Putting Windows 8 on top of that would be a big mistake.

Windows 8? Really?

For those of you wincing at the thought of having a computer running Windows 8, let me say this. I sympathize with you. Windows 8 has its share of issues. But here’s what I think will happen. Between now and next April, Microsoft will release a service pack for Windows 8 that will bring back the “Start” button and allow people to boot directly to the desktop (two of the missing features Windows 8 users complain about the most).

In fact, I think Microsoft has to do this or they will risk alienating (or losing) a lot of Windows users, especially the millions of Windows XP users looking for a new home.

So start budgeting now. A decent new computer will run you between $400 – $600. You’ve got a little over 11 months to save up the money.