Microsoft Support ending April 8, 2014

1. MicrosoftSupport ending April 8, 2014 Windows XP Microsoft Office 2003 Exchange Server 2003

2. What does “support ending” mean? Technical assistance will no longer be available. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/end-support-help#find_topsupport An unsupported version of Windows will no longer receive software updates from Windows Update. These include security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, which can steal your personal information. Windows Update also installs the latest software updates to improve the reliability of Windows—new drivers for your hardware and more. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/what-does-end-of-support-mean Can I still use Microsoft programs that are no longer supported? Even if you have an unsupported version of Windows XP or Windows Vista without any service packs, Windows will continue to start and run as usual. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/what-does-end-of-support-mean

3. If I have to re-install Windows XP after will I be able to activate it? Lincoln Spector, PCWorld, Mar 8, 2012 But Microsoft has assured me that they will continue to activate XP. Their exact words: "The end of Windows XP support will not affect activation, but rather security updates and phone/online technical support.“ Nevertheless, I highly recommend that XP diehards, assuming they can afford it, upgrade to Windows 7 this year. And specifically that they go for Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate Editions. Why? Because these editions support XP Mode--XP running in a virtual machine. I haven't seen any definitive statement that Windows 8 will offer that. http://www.pcworld.com/article/250774/will_i_be_able_to_activate_xp_after_2014_.html Will previously issued Service Packs and updates be available? Derrick Wlodarz, Technibble.com Microsoft will keep hosting all patches and service packs released through April of 2014, but no NEW updates will be released after this date. http://www.technibble.com/windows-xp-support-ends-in-april-2014-what-technicians-need-to-know/

4. If I can still use Windows XP why do I care if Microsoft no longer supports it? • Initially, you probably won’t have any problem using Windows XP. Make sure SP3 and all available updates are installed. • However, over time: • 1. Hackers will take advantage of security holes in Windows XP to exploit computers. • But XP has been out for years, haven’t all the security issues been fixed? • New security issues are discovered all the time • Installing or updating software applications can reveal a previously unknown issue. • Hardware and software vendors will stop supporting their products for use with Windows XP. • Internet Explorer 8 is the latest version of IE that works with Windows XP. Currently, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome (and possibly other browsers) still work with XP. As websites are updated to take advantage of newer browser capabilities, older browsers may only be able to display limited content or may not display some sites at all.

5. What Windows XP's 'end of life' means for you Kim Komando - 5-1-2013 If you do use Windows XP after April 2014, it's basically at your own risk. Having security software installed will help, but it will get more and more dangerous to use as time goes on. I don't recommend using a Windows XP computer as your main computer after next April. You will want to start using a new operating system. If you plan to stick with Windows, that means upgrading to 7 or 8. You could upgrade Windows on your existing computer. However, if your computer is more than three years old, I'd buy a new one. Even today's budget computers can outperform computers from 2010 and earlier. http://www.komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=14405

6. What Happens to Customer PCs on XP After April 8, 2014? Derrick Wlodarz, Technibble.com Nothing, really. They will continue to work as normal and there will not be any kind of limitations imposed on the OS crippling its usage. But it’s the unknown that users should be warned about to the fullest extent. Microsoft has publicly stated that no new patches will be released for the OS after April 2014 (outside of very critical security flaws found.) Just as is the case for Windows 98 and Windows 2000 now, driver releases for new hardware that comes out will start to become non-existent for XP likely around or slightly after the April 2014 timeline. Customers who purchase new hardware even for otherwise fully capable systems may start to run into compatibility issues. Third party solutions arise to get around these driver issues, but they are not always 100% guaranteed for all scenarios. The bottom line? Using XP after April 2014 is an “at your own risk” situation for customers. http://www.technibble.com/windows-xp-support-ends-in-april-2014-what-technicians-need-to-know/

7. Options for replacing Windows XP (no particular order) • Purchase Windows 8 computer • Remove XP from computer and install Linux • Purchase Windows 8 computer, but use Desktop interface • Purchase tablet for Internet applications and use XP computer for non-Internet applications • Upgrade to Windows 7 (may no longer be available) • Purchase Mac • Purchase Windows 7 computer • Purchase Google Chromebook

8. Lincoln Spector, PC World article, Sept 12, 2013 Unfortunately, Microsoft no longer offers software that will tell if your current hardware can manage Windows 7. But it offers similar software for Windows 8, and the hardware requirements aren't that different. To see if your PC will likely handle Windows 7, go to Microsoft's Buy Windows 8 page http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/buy click the Get Started button, and download and run the Upgrade Assistant program. If your PC passes the test, you won't have to buy a new PC -- although you may want to in order to get more powerful hardware. Here are some more tips from PC World to help with upgrading http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047297/yes-you-can-still-upgrade-to-windows-7.html Will my computer run Windows 7?

9. Can I purchase Windows 7 or a computer with Windows 7? Ed Bott for The Ed Bott Report - July 27, 2012 Microsoft’s sales lifecycle for Windows (which is different from its support lifecycle) specifies that retailers will be able to sell the boxed version of Windows 7 until at least October 25, 2013, and OEMs can sell PCs with Windows 7 pre-loaded until October 25, 2014. If Windows 8 gets any pushback from consumers and small businesses, we could see big OEMs continuing to offer Windows 7 as an option on its non-touch-enabled PCs for two more years, with Windows 8 as the default option for tablets and touch-enabled PCs. And on top of all that, you and your business have downgrade rights. When purchased with a new PC, Windows 8 Pro incorporates license terms similar to those of its predecessors, including the right to downgrade to Windows 7 Professional. When you buy a new PC with Windows 8 Pro installed,  you can legally replace it with a copy of Windows 7 Professional. http://www.zdnet.com/how-to-skip-windows-8-and-continue-using-windows-7-7000001734/

10. Can I purchase Windows 7 or a computer with Windows 7? (con’t) Dell still has Windows 7 PCs, and they're on sale Rick Broida, CNet, July 22, 2013 It's time to decide if you're really going to choose an old operating system over a new one. All this is just my way of saying, I don't like Windows 8, but I've learned to live with it -- and my productivity hasn't suffered. You can still get a Windows 7 machine if you want one, but stop and ask yourself if you really want one. It won't accomplish the goal of "sending Microsoft a message." The only real way to do that is to buy a Mac. http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33153_7-57594772-10391733/dell-still-has-windows-7-pcs-and-theyre-on-sale/

11. If I purchase something else, what can I do with my old XP computer? Kim Komando: There are a few repurposing tricks you can try. For example, an old computer can make a great DVR. Some people like to use old computers to practice upgrades or fixing problems. Since you don't have to worry about breaking it, this could save money in the long run. You can even keep the computer hooked up to type documents or play games. If you go this route, keep it disconnected from the Internet. Otherwise, a hacker could find a way into your computer and steal some of your information. http://www.komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=14405&page=4

12. Office 2003 August 29, 2013 article from CSO on end of support "From a security perspective, Office 2003 will become more attackable over time,"Qualys CTO Wolfgang Kandek said in an interview.“ We habitually find problems today in Office 2003. That will not stop next year just because Microsoft stops supporting it.“ "The net effect will be that two or three months after support stops, a toolkit will appear on the market that allows even the unsophisticated attacker to exploit vulnerabilities in the program," Kandek added. Imperva's CTO, Amichai Shulman, said Microsoft can expect to see a large population of users continue to use Office 2003, and hackers will continue to poke holes in at after support is terminated, only there won't be any more "Patch Tuesdays" to save the day. "This is the reality of good software," Shulman said. "It stays in use long after it has been declared EOL. The business value it brings is so high, and the cost and time of replacing it is so high,  that users accept the implied security risk." CSO provides news, analysis and research on a broad range of security and risk management topics. Areas of focus include information security, physical security, business continuity, identity and access management, loss prevention and more. http://www.csoonline.com/article/738914/office-2003-s-burial-will-resurrect-hacker-activity

13. Continuing to use Office 2003 comments from windowssecrets.com forum retired geek: “That all depends on how you use Office. If you don't download documents from the internet and don't get them as attachments from others you shouldn't have much to worry about. If you set your macro security to High you also shouldn't have much to worry about. IMHO. Also make sure you're running a good AV program or two.” cmptrgy: “I still use Office 2000 which includes Word & Excel 2000 without any problems, so I don't think you will have any problems with Word 2013.--- Install the Microsoft Office Compatibility pack if you haven't done so already, make sure all your Microsoft updates are always up to date and ensure your AV program(s) and maintenance program(s) also up to date & always in order.” jjfreedman: “This is probably not an issue for you, but just something you should be aware of: Even with the Compatibility Pack, Word 2003 can't open .dotx or .dotm templates. Not only can't you base documents on those templates, you can't even open them to take a look at what they contain. If someone sends you one, you'll have to ask them to save it in .dot format, if they can do that without losing their function (for example, if they've used content controls). “ http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread.php/156464-Word-2003-after-April-2014

14. Continuing to use Office 2003 comments from windowssecrets.com forum (continued) greytech: “I help many retired folk with their computing needs and have found the biggest problem with those on Office 2003 is handling .docx and .xlsx files. Most have the compatibility pack installed but that doesn't always work opening email attachments directly, no problem if they remember to save them first. Lately I have switched most of them to Libre Office 4 because they found it difficult to justify spending GBP90+,(USD150) for the current version. Libre Office looks like Office 2003 but can handle all the formats like Office 2013. A few users I also changed over from XP to Linux at the same time so they could eke out a few more years out of their 256MB or 512MB PC without getting into setting tar motion. My personal opinion is to choose between amortizing the cost of updating to the current version with the relearning required or updating to one of the free options, my choice Libre Office 4. Staying with Office 2003 with the compatibility pack is not a good option, not because of security issues, but file compatibility issues. “ http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread.php/156464-Word-2003-after-April-2014

15. Options for replacing Office 2003 (no particular order) • Purchase new version of Microsoft Office • only option available if you require Outlook • Apparently Microsoft officially ended sales of Office 2010 just a few days after the release of Office 2013 (January 29, 2013). Vendors who had stock on hand are still able to sell it. • http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-quietly-ends-office-2010-sales • Current versions are Office 2013 (available in different combinations of programs) and Office 365 (subscription based). • Purchase individual program, if only using one program, e.g., use word processing but don’t need spreadsheet or presentation programs. • Purchase other office suite, e.g., WordPerfect Office, Corel Office, Kingsoft Office, etc. • Purchase individual programs from different vendors. • Free office suite, e.g., Libre Office, Apache Open Office, Kingsoft Office • Free Cloud suite, e.g., Google Drive, ThinkFree Online • NOTE: If you often receive Microsoft Office files from others or send files to people who have Microsoft Office, make sure the suite you chose can open/save to Microsoft formats

16. ADDITIONAL ARTICLES The Death of Windows XP BryDarComputer– September 30, 2013 For those of you who are planning to stick with Windows XP even after Microsoft discontinues support on April 8, 2014, this topic is for you. http://brydarcomputer.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/the-death-of-windows-xp/5 The Risk of Running Windows XP After Support Ends April 2014 Tim Rains – Microsoft Security Blog – August 15, 2013 What is the risk of continuing to run Windows XP after its end of support date?  One risk is that attackers will have the advantage over defenders who choose to run Windows XP because attackers will likely have more information about vulnerabilities in Windows XP than defenders. Let me explain why this will be the case. http://blogs.technet.com/b/security/archive/2013/08/06/the-risk-of-running-windows-xp-after-support-ends.aspx Prepare now to survive the end of Windows XP Tony Bradley - April 19, 2013 If you’re still running a 12-year-old operating system, it's reasonable to assume that you’re not using cutting-edge hardware. In making a switch from Windows XP to a newer OS, you might face the issue of whether your hardware can keep up. Of course, you don’t have to use Microsoft Windows at all. You could switch from Windows to Linux. On the one hand, if your budget won’t allow you to invest in new hardware right now, you could switch to Linux. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2033609/prepare-now-to-survive-the-end-of-windows-xp.html

17. ADDITIONAL ARTICLES (continued) XP, Office 2003 and SBS 2003 end of life in April 2014. What does that mean for Small Business? September 24, 2013 Categories: Microsoft by Michael Patrick Every desktop running any version of Windows XP, including thin clients that are required to be in HIPAA and or PCI compliance are affected. http://mirazon.com/xp-office-2003-sbs-2003-end-life-april-2014-mean-small-business/ Windows XP post April 2014: Non-Microsoft support emerges ----This is a paid option for large companies Toby Wolpe – ZDNet – September 6, 2013 With roughly seven months to go until Windows XP's end-of-life deadline, an alternative to Microsoft support has appeared in the form of Arkoon's EXP. http://www.zdnet.com/windows-xp-post-april-2014-non-microsoft-support-emerges-7000020291/ Related article published on May 30, 2013 in StormShield http://www.arkoon.net/en/stormshield-2/arkoon-annonce-son-offre-de-service-extended-xp-pour-assurer-le-maintien-en-conditions-de-securite-des-postes-sous-windows-xp-apres-avril-2014/

18. ADDITIONAL ARTICLES (continued) Microsoft will craft XP patches after April '14, but not for you Gregg Keizer, Computerworld, August 26, 2013 Just because Microsoft doesn't plan on giving Windows XP patches to the public after April 8, 2014, doesn't mean it's going to stop making those patches. In fact, Microsoft will be creating security updates for Windows XP for months -- years, even -- after it halts their delivery to the general public. Those patches will come from a program called "Custom Support," an after-retirement contract designed for very large customers who have not, for whatever reason, moved on from an older OS. As part of Custom Support -- which according to analysts, costs about $200 per PC for the first year and more each succeeding year -- participants receive patches for vulnerabilities rated "critical" by Microsoft. Bugs ranked as "important," the next step down in Microsoft's four-level threat scoring system, are not automatically patched. Instead, Custom Support contract holders must pay extra for those. Flaws pegged as "moderate" or "low" are not patched at all. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9241912/Microsoft_will_craft_XP_patches_after_April_14_but_not_for_you?pageNumber=1

19. ADDITIONAL ARTICLES by Larry Piper What the Windows Xpocalypse Means for You Make Use Of, – Nov 19, 2013 Some history of Windows releases, some comments about 85% of Britain’s health care & 75% of all U.S. ATMs run on XP, and the impression that the three alternative costs (new hardware/software, custom support or possible security fines) are about equal for large companies. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-the-windows-xpocalypse-means-for-you/?utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_source=2012-11-19 Where you can buy Windows 7 Computers BlairTG is an authorized reseller of Dell computers. The sell used desktops in the $119-159 range and laptops slightly over $200. Each comes with Win 7 Home Premium, 2G RAM and some useful programs like OpenOffice. http://www.blairtg.com Where you can buy Windows 7 Computers At least two shops in Midland (Computers to Go, in the mall and Compucon, on the circle) are selling XP desktops for ~$99.