Hi All,
I wanted to get a quick overview out on Windows XP and its End of Life. As you may or may not know, Windows XP is no longer be supported by Microsoft as of April 8th 2014. Microsoft has been trying to get people off of Windows XP for many years now. Fun fact – Windows XP came out on August 24, 2001.
If you have Windows XP, your computers will still function, Microsoft just won’t push out windows updates anymore, there is a theory that attackers will target Windows XP after this date, but with Proper User Security, Antivirus Protection, Enterprise Grade Firewalls, and Malware Protection you should be safe, notice I said should. The best course of action is to get rid of the XP Boxes to be ultimately safe and secure. We also advise letting us disable all web browsing on any Windows XP Machine to futher secure it.
This is the same reason the highest version of Internet Explorer you can get on Windows XP is 8.0, IE9, 10, and 11 were not developed with support for XP. Threats like Cryptolocker (Link about a Law Firm who was attacked) are causing a real problem, and we fear that Windows XP will be the target. In recent months, we are seeing more and more windows XP machines coming into our shop infected. Info on reloading a desktop is here -> http://support.bigsurtech.com/2015/01/formatting-a-windows-desktop-info-inside/ Save money and time, replace windows XP NOW.
There is also the current reality that many software vendors no longer write programs that work on Windows XP or Vista. Most currently made software is coded for Windows 7 or Windows 8 – it may run on Windows XP or Vista – but its not intended. In all honesty, chances are the windows XP machines are really old anyway, and it’s a good time to replace them. PC’s have come down in price over the past few years. Technically Windows XP is 4 Versions old as Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 are all far newer. (Windows 10 Is getting ready to be released)
Here is a good article on the situation on CNN. http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/29/technology/enterprise/windows-xp/
The Official Page from Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/endofsupport.aspx
Also, you should note. Most computers that have Windows XP can be formatted to Windows 7 without issues. Sometimes we need to buy memory, and a valid copy of Windows 7 or Office. Here is what an existing migration looks like. Just remember, if it’s a slow Windows XP machine, it will be a slow Windows 7 Machine.
- Backup your files to USB or Server (30 Mins to 60 Mins Depending on size of data)
- Format Computer with Windows 7 and Apply all Updates (2 Hours Estimate)
- Restore your files from USB (30 Mins to 60 Mins Depending on size of data)
- Re-install Office and apply updates, and other software that you need (You may also need to buy Office) (45 Mins)
- Install Printer and setup for user (30 Mins)
So all in all, we are looking at 4 to 5 Hours to re-do an existing machine, at our base rate of $130.00 Hour if we are onsite that’s $650.00 (or so) To change an existing machine to Windows 7. This doesn’t count, Office $219.00 (link) or Windows 8.1 Pro Upgrade (to run 7) $199.00 (link), or Memory ($50.00). So think about it, that’s like $1200.00+ To make an old PC somewhat newer.
Or… (and this is what we prefer)
You buy a known good / New Desktop for about $400 – $600, and Migrate the data which could be an hour or so. I would highly recommend that you work with Joe on quotes for PC’s and Office Volume Agreements. Just to give you an idea. This is a good entry level machine. HP 3500 Microtower Essential PC E3T54UT#ABA – http://tinyurl.com/qjb4smu
Sometimes re-working old machines is not worth the cost, especially if we do all the work and the hardware dies in a few months anyway, then its all a waste. The odd part about this all is it’s almost the same price to do a migration to windows 7 versus buying a new machine.
If you want to chat about this, do let me know.