Microsoft's Ticking Time Bomb Is Windows XP

Hugh Pickens DOT Com writes "Shona Ghosh writes at PC Pro that the final deadline for Windows XP support in April 2014 will act as the starting pistol for developing new exploits as hackers reverse-engineer patches issued for Windows 7 or Windows 8 to scout for XP vulnerabilities. "The very first month that Microsoft releases security updates for supported versions of Windows, attackers will reverse-engineer those updates, find the vulnerabilities and test Windows XP to see if it shares [them]," says Tim Rains, the director of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing group. Microsoft says that XP shared 30 security holes with Windows 7 and Windows 8 between July 2012 and July 2013. Gregg Keizer says that if a major chunk of the world's PCs remains tied to XP, as seems certain, Microsoft will face an unenviable choice: Stick to plan and put millions of customers at risk from malware infection, or backtrack from long-standing policies and proclamations." (Read on for more.)

"In either case, it will face a public relations backlash, whether from customers who complain they've been forsaken or those angry at Microsoft for pushing them to upgrade when, in the end, they didn't need to." Microsoft makes little or no revenue from customers with old PCs, and desperately wants them to buy a new Windows system of some sort. "It's very easy to say 'just upgrade,' but not all business can do so," says Lawrence Pingree, citing money, resources and mission-critical software. "One of the main reasons why people cannot leave XP is compatibility with other software." Nor is Microsoft blameless. XP has hung around because of the mistakes Microsoft made with Windows Vista, the OS flop that outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer copped to as his biggest regret. If Vista had been more like Windows 7, or had shipped at its original "Longhorn" timetable of 2004, then been followed three years later by Windows 7, XP would not have had the opportunity to lock up the ecosystem for a decade. Pingree has a suggestion for Microsoft. ""If it's such a big problem, maybe they should offer an 'Extended Life' [support] subscription and charge for it.""

Re:The Solution is Obvious

[rmdingler]

There will be no second act here if the protagonist solves the dilemma in the opening minutes sir.

Re:Microsoft isn't Putting Customers at Risk

[linebackn]

Microsoft isn't putting customers at risk by not patching what will then be a 13-year old operating system. They had a full life cycle plan in place and customers have had many years advance notice to plan their transition. The lack of resources placed on transitioning legacy software to something other than an end-of-life OS is squarely the fault of the customers. The people in charge obviously don't place a great deal of importance on security or support. They have made their decision, let them suffer the consequences.

What do you mean you've never been to Alpha Centauri? Oh, for heaven's sake, mankind, it's only four light years away, you know. I'm sorry, but if you can't be bothered to take an interest in local affairs, that's your own lookout. Energize the demolition beam. I don't know, apathetic bloody planet, I've no sympathy at all.

Re:So upgrade already

[Anonymous Coward]

We still run XP on a few remaining machines and we don't really have the money do upgrade the. We aren't really making that much money, because that's not really the aim of the company - we essentially provide serviced offices* for self employed people (including the two directors). In essence, the company's aim it to provide employment for a whole bunch of people. Sure making a bit of money is nice, but at the moment, as long as we break even and the brokers make money, we're happy.

* Not just serviced offices - completely bespoke systems to do their job - we're the only company in the UK to do what we do.

Re:Really

[Anonymous Coward]

You're right. Better to save that $6.5 million and invest it for the inevitable $50 million malware cleanup.

Re:XP is a vulnerability itself.

[CronoCloud]

And don't even get me started with the piece of shit that is windows 8, linux users are not forced to use a half-tablet OS

Gnome 3 and Unity would like a word with you.

Re:First...

[Mister Liberty]

First...

to upgrade!

To Linux, I hope?

Re:First...

[SuricouRaven]

"AuthenticAMD"

I'm struck by an image of the AMD logo materializing a hand just to give the finger to GenuineIntel.

Re:Really

[goodmanj]

Do you have the $6.5 million Microsoft wants from our organization to upgrade our workstations to Windows 7? $6.5 million is a damn good reason not to upgrade.

Oh look guys, it's Target's CTO posting to Slashdot! Good to see you man, but I'm surprised you found time to hang out with us.

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