Microsoft extends updates for Windows XP security software by 15 months

Microsoft is not totally ending support for its 12-year-old Windows XP operating system by April 8 as it earlier announced—instead, it will continue to update security software for the aging OS for 15 months, or until July 14, 2015.

In a blog post, Microsoft said this will allow organizations to complete their migration from XP to newer versions of Windows or to other OSes.

"To help organizations complete their migrations, Microsoft will continue to provide updates to our antimalware signatures and engine for Windows XP users through July 14, 2015," it said.

Microsoft said this applies to System Center Endpoint Protection, Forefront Client Security, Forefront Endpoint Protection and Windows Intune running XP for enterprise customers.

For consumers, this applies to Microsoft Security Essentials, it added.

However, Microsoft said the extension will not affect the end-of-support date of Windows XP, and reiterated its advice to upgrade to newer versions of Windows.

"Our research shows that the effectiveness of antimalware solutions on out-of-support operating systems is limited. Running a well-protected solution starts with using modern software and hardware designed to help protect against today’s threat landscape," it added.

In the meantime, Microsoft recommended best practices to protect PCs such as:

• Using modern software that has advanced security technologies and is supported with regular security updates,
• Regularly applying security updates for all software installed
• Running up-to-date anti-virus software

"Our goal is to provide great antimalware solutions for our consumer and business customers. We will continue to work with our customers and partners in doing so, and help our customers complete their migrations as Windows XP end of life approaches," it said.

A separate report on The Next Web said that while Microsoft will still update its security products for an additional 15 months, Windows XP still will no longer be a supported OS come April.

It added Microsoft is in a tricky situation as it needs to push people off XP to more secure products, "and the best way to do that is to stick to its end of support date."

"On the other hand, there are still so many millions of Windows XP users out there that leaving them completely vulnerable could cause more harm than good," it said. — VC, GMA News