Microsoft Windows XP Support End Date Set for April 8, 2014; Microsoft Tells Businesses to Start Transitioning

The countdown has started for the end of Microsoft's Windows XP.

Launched in 2001, Windows XP went on to become one of the most popular operating systems for the company. In 365 days, Microsoft will no longer support the 12-year-old Windows browser.

"Simply, it means you should take action to move off of Windows XP," wrote Stephen Rose on the Windows blog. "After April 8, 2014, there will be no new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates."

Microsoft is asking businesses that utilize Windows XP to perform a clean installation to either Windows 7 or Windows 8.

What could happen if one fails to upgrade to a new operating system?

According to Microsoft:

- "Security & Compliance Risks: Unsupported and unpatched environments are vulnerable to security risks. This may result in an officially recognized control failure by an internal or external audit body, leading to suspension of certifications, and/or public notification of the organization's inability to maintain its systems and customer information."

- "Lack of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) & Hardware Manufacturers support: Back in 2011, many independent software vendors (ISVs) were already unlikely to support new versions of applications on Windows XP."

According to Microsoft's Erwin Visser, businesses are missing on IT investments and benefits for not installing the latest operating systems.

"Recognizing that not all situations are alike, businesses may need to take different approaches to their operating system migrations due to the specific needs of their environment," wrote Visser. "For some, moving their full company to Windows 8 will be the best choice, and for others it may be migrating first to Windows 7. Still, for many, it will be deploying Windows 8 side-by-side with Windows 7 for key scenarios, such as Windows 8 tablets for mobile users."

To show how dominant Windows XP still is as of March 2013, according to NetMarketShare, it is the second most utilized desktop operating system with 38.73 percent, behind Windows 7's 44.73 percent.