Experts question Microsoft's decision to retire XP

[humble3d]

Experts question Microsoft's decision to retire XP

By Gregg Keizer
December 4, 2012 03:07 PM ET

In any case, it might not even make a difference. "Are the remaining XP machines actually updated? We don't know," said Kandek, referring to the common problem of unpatched PCs, no matter what operating systems they run. "Do they actually install them? Extending patches might not do anything."

In at least one instance, Microsoft stuck to its guns, and refused to patch vulnerable operating systems that had fallen off the support list just weeks earlier.

_http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9180035/Microsoft_ships_rush_patch_for_Windows_shortcut_bug

In August 2010, Microsoft issued an emergency patch -- often called an "out-of-band" update -- for a critical Windows shortcut bug that attackers had exploited with the infamous Stuxnet worm, which most now believe was aimed at Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities. But even though Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Windows 2000 had dropped off support the month before, Microsoft did not offer those PCs a patch.

_http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9185919/Is_Stuxnet_the_best_malware_ever_

The situation will be different in 2014, however: Users of Windows XP won't have a newer service pack to deploy, and XP will probably account for a still-significant portion of all Windows PCs, unlike Windows 2000 in mid-2010.
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According to data from Web metrics firm Net Applications and Computerworld's projections, XP will power more than 25% of the world's Windows PCs in April 2014. That's an enormous number.

And there are other considerations, said Miller.

"One of Microsoft's No. 1 customers is the U.S. government," Miller said. "Things are much different nowadays, it's a new age, with all these worms circulating in the Middle East. Cyber security is a national security matter now, and I wouldn't be surprised if the [u.S.] government didn't have an impact on Microsoft's decision as well."

Even some of those who bet on the "line in the sand" acknowledged that there were factors that might prompt Microsoft to erase that line.

"The only scenario I can see where they would extend support isn't a security scenario," said Pescatore. "The biggest issue facing Microsoft is the declining share of Windows on devices. So they might continue to patch as a business decision, (so) that by offering patches, they at least hold onto those people still running XP."

Cherry closed the circle on the debate, pointing to one of the driving philosophies at Microsoft over the last decade as proof.

"Microsoft has invested significant resources in its Trustworthy Computing initiative and I think that investment and preserving its now-better-reputation in this area would not allow them to have an XP that was doing harm," Cherry said. "They cannot allow a security vulnerability to cause harm."

Sounds simple.

But it's not, said Miller. "It's really a no-win situation for them," he said. "I wouldn't want to be on the committee at Microsoft that decides this."

_http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9234316/Experts_question_Microsoft_s_decision_to_retire_XP?taxonomyId=125&pageNumber=2

In a recent post on Wilders Forum, Marcin, MBAM CEO, is quoted in a post titled (MBAM 2.00 Beta Released) On Going Support for XP will continue from MBAM.


There is still a market for protection of XP based computers, so I assume that many other providers (Antivirus and Antimalware) will also continue with their support.

Because of Microsoft's end-of-life of XP, we are going to be needed more than ever. We will continue XP support for quite some time.

_http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=2320810&postcount=116

[Sonar]

Windows 7 = new win xp - stop crying and update.

Windows 7 lite should cover anyone's answers, these lite versions keep getting smaller and smaller as time goes by.

[MidnightDistortions]

Microsoft i think has enough on it's plate. Despite the fact many are still on XP, they are doing what's best for them. They don't want to keep on supporting a 12 year old OS. It may not be the best decision but they are doing it so they can focus on the other current OSs.

[SPECTRUM]

imho if microsft is going to stop XP support, then should at least release SP4 with all the current (200~) updates included there.

[CPowell46]

Microsoft can't "retire" XP. Only users can do that,and they won't do it.