Microsoft Extends Windows XP Anti-Malware Updates One Year

It was made known that after April 8, 2014 Microsoft’s Windows XP will no longer be a supported operating system. Recently, Microsoft announced that they will still continue providing anti-malware signature updates for XP users through July 14, 2015. This move is designed to help businesses and customers complete their migrations from XP to a newer operating system as Windows XP end of life come near.

The extended support is particularly limited to anti-malware signatures in Security Essentials only. “Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, online technical content updates, nonsecurity hotfixes and other updates.” Therefore, if you are an XP user and have not migrated yet it is advised to download and install the free Security Essentials if you haven’t done so as it will no longer be available for download after this April.

Computer experts says XP users have the option to install other third party anti-malware software which promises to continue to receive updates on XP for another year, however to keep your computer system fully protected, upgrading to a newer OS will be a wise move because after XP security support goes end-of-life, its users are vulnerably exposed to security risks and using an up-to-date anti-virus alone might not be an enough protection.