After April 8, 2014, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC. Microsoft will also stop providing Microsoft Security Essentials for download on Windows XP on this date. (If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you will continue to receive antimalware signature updates for a limited time, but this does not mean that your PC will be secure because Microsoft will no longer be providing security updates to help protect your PC.)

If you continue to use Windows XP after support ends, your computer will still work but it might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Also, as more software and hardware manufacturers continue to optimize for more recent versions of Windows, you can expect to encounter greater numbers of apps and devices that do not work with Windows XP.

What does it mean if my version of Windows is no longer supported?

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.

Support end dates

Here are the dates when support will end for PCs running Windows XP and Windows Vista without the latest service packs:

·         Support for Windows XP is ending on April 8, 2014. For more information, see Support is ending for Windows XP.

·         Support for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) ended on July 12, 2011. To continue support, make sure you've installed Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2).

·         Support for Windows Vista without any service packs ended on April 13, 2010. To continue support, make sure you've installed Windows Vista SP2.

·         Support for Windows XP SP2 ended on July 13, 2010. To continue support, make sure you've installed Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). For more information, see Learn how to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3).

Note

• There's no SP3 for the 64-bit version of Windows XP. If you're running the 64-bit version of Windows XP with SP2, you have the latest service pack and will continue to be eligible for support and receive updates until April 8, 2014.

If your version of Windows is still supported, you should always be sure to install the latest updates or service packs for Windows. You can download and install these through Windows Update.

·         For information about using Windows Update in Windows XP, see Stay up to date automatically.

·         For information about using Windows Update in Windows Vista, see Install Windows updates.

·         For information about using Windows Update in Windows 7, see Install Windows updates.

·         For information about using Windows Update in Windows 8.1, see Windows Update: frequently asked questions.

Windows will continue to run

Even if you have an unsupported version of Windows XP or Windows Vista without any service packs, Windows will continue to start and run.

How do I stay protected?

To stay protected after support ends, you have two options:

Upgrade your current PC

Very few older computers will be able to run Windows 8.1, which is the latest version of Windows. We recommend that you download and run the Windows Upgrade Assistant to check if your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 8.1 and then follow the steps in the tutorial to upgrade if your PC is able. For more detailed information, read the FAQ.

·         Download and run the Windows Upgrade Assistant

·         Tutorial: Upgrade to Windows 8.1 from Windows XP

Get a new PC

If your current PC can't run Windows 8.1, it might be time to consider shopping for a new one.  The new computers today are more powerful, lightweight, and stylish than ever before-and with an average price that's considerably less expensive than the average PC was 10 years ago.