If you’re a small-to-midsize business owner still using computers running on the Windows XP operating system, enough is enough! The end is here. Since April 8, 2014, Microsoft has stopped supporting XP. Whether you’re migrating from XP out of this sheer necessity, or you’ve been contemplating upgrading to a newer Windows operating system anyhow, here are a few things to consider.
Take Full Advantage of Newer Deployment and Management Options
There will naturally be a significant amount of retraining and app testing needed when you migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7, 8 or 10. This may be the right time to upgrade your server and all desktop platforms to the most recent releases. On the server front, Windows Server 2012 R2 offers small businesses improved storage, virtualization, uptime, and much wider support for mobile devices.
Seek Outside Help
Anyone still running XP to this date has been living in borrowed time. Although Microsoft has extended its offering of anti-malware updates to XP users through July 2015, since April 8th, your business was more susceptible to cyber-security threats if you were not fully migrated to Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10. Organizing a full-scale migration at this juncture may require the help of an expert Managed Service Provider (MSP) in your area who can use various automated tools to simplify migration processes.
Update Hardware
If you’re still running Windows XP, chances are you’re using outdated hardware as well. Any machine currently running slow with XP will most likely be unable to handle a Win7, Win8 or Win10 upgrade. Although it’s more expensive, updating hardware in conjunction with upgrading your operating system may save you money in the long run. Not to mention make for happier workers. This may also be a good time to fully embrace the bring-your-own-device workplace.
Alter Your Approach Moving Forward
Windows XP is fifteen years old. It was introduced one month prior to the September 11th terrorist attacks. Beyonce was topping the charts… as a member of Destiny’s Child. Friends reigned supreme as the number #1 show on network television. Support for Windows XP was supposed to end in 2011 but the poorly received release of Windows Vista offered a reprieve that is very unlikely to be repeated.
