Microsoft to Extend Anti-Malware Support for Windows XP to 2015

Microsoft has announced plans to extend anti-malware support for Windows XP to 2015. This doesn’t mean the company has made a U-turn on its decision to end support for the venerable operating system on 8th April this year.

According to Microsoft, for enterprise customers, the extended technical support applies to the following applications, System Center Endpoint Protection, Forefront Client Security, Forefront Endpoint Protection and Windows Intune, running on Windows XP. For the man of the street, it applies to Microsoft Security Essentials.

Its extension for anti-malware support is to make the migration process, to alternative desktop operating systems, a smooth affair for affected, and diehard, Windows XP users. As a result, Microsoft will continue to offer anti-malware signature and product updates for Windows XP users through 14th July 2015. For hackers reportedly waiting to wreak havoc at the planned obsolescence of Windows XP, their plans may be thwarted to a certain degree. For more information, please visit Microsoft's Malware Protection Center.

(Source: Microsoft Malware Protection Center via Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows)

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