Mistake after mistake, patch after patch, Microsoft will soon be annoying Windows XP users with a warning that their operating system support will end on April 8, 2014. Do you think there are any XP users out there who don’t know that by now. It seems to me that Microsoft is stooping to new lows to try to sell an operating system that few people want. On April 8, 2014, the same date as the demise of XP, Microsoft will release Windows 8.1 Update 1 — the second major update to its ill-conceived, one-size-fits-all operating system which tries to please everyone, but pleases (based on sales) very few. The newest incarnation of Windows 8 will add more features for mouse and keyboard users, while keeping its touch-oriented start screen. If only they’d have done the right thing – one operating system for desktops and laptops and another for phones and tablets. You can’t find a Mac touchscreen, or a Chromebook touchscreen, or a Linux touchscreen — wonder why?
ANYWAY…
Next week,, Windows XP users will seeing warnings popping up on their screens reminding them to “upgrade” their computers. Actually they mean buy a new computer with Windows 8 (and its incarnations) on it, since very few XP computers will fully support Windows 8 in any of its versions.
Read on my friends…
Microsoft will use pop-ups to warn Windows XP users to upgrade
Microsoft is planning to use pop-up warnings to entice Windows XP users to upgrade. The software maker is ending support of XP on April 8th, and will start distributing notices next week to machines running the 12-year-old operating system. Pop-up warnings will appear on March 8th following the monthly patch cycle of Windows Update, and the notification will include a link to Microsoft’s Windows XP end of support site. The pop-up will continue on the 8th of every month unless Windows XP users check the “don’t show this message again” option.
Microsoft is also releasing a free transfer tool later this week that’s designed to migrate data from an old PC to a new device running Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1. The tool, developed by Laplink, will copy files, music, videos, emails, user profiles, and settings from an old PC to a new one. If a blue taskbar and green Start button hasn’t alerted you to the fact you’re running Windows XP, then Microsoft is also launching a sitefor consumers who are unsure whether they have XP or not. Like Microsoft’s support site, it will also encourage Windows XP users to upgrade to Windows 8.1.
Read the rest of this article from The Verge…
I suppose we should say “thank you” for the check box “DO not show this again”. Provided, of course, it will work this time. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if that check box is missing or made inactive. Hope you can tell us the number of the “update” they will sneak that pop-up into, so I can “uncheck it” in the download list.