30 Days Left Before Windows XP Ends On 8 April 2014

• Consumers and companies still on Windows XP at risk, missing out on what modern technology has to offer; 
• Microsoft launches two free tools to help users migrate from Windows XP

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 March, 2014 – Microsoft Malaysia (“Microsoft”) today reminded consumers and companies that support for the Windows XP operating system (“OS”) and Office 2003 will end on 8 April 2014, just about 30 days away. To help users make the move, Microsoft also announced two new free tools to help migrate from Windows XP called “PCmover Express for Windows XP“ as well as a detection software to help users who are unsure find out what version of the operating system they may be using called “AmIrunningXP.com“.

Additionally, as part of its on-going awareness effort, on 8 March 2014 at 3:00 p.m. local time, customers using Windows XP (Home and Professional editions) will receive a notification via Windows Update informing them of the support deadline and encouraging them to visit Windows.com to find out more about what end of support means for them.

Millions of PCs in Malaysia Exposed To Risk

With support ending for Windows XP and Office 2003 in about 30 days, consumers and companies actively using these software versions will be left without security patches and customer support. Based on an estimation using data from StatCounter, a free public tracker, and IDC Worldwide PC Tracker, Windows XP makes up about 14.4% of PCs in Malaysia. Although this represents a decline by 6.68% over the last one year, this still means that there are 2,553,952 PCs on Windows XP.

This means that millions of businesses and individuals in Malaysia still using the 12-year-old operating system (OS) daily and 10-year-old productivity suite, risk falling prey to harmful viruses, spyware, increasingly sophisticated security threats and other malware, as well as compromising their ability to be more productive and collaborative as the lack of technical support results in costly productivity loss for businesses in the event of computer downtime or software compatibility issues.

”Windows XP and Office 2003 were widely used and have helped hundreds of millions of people to get productive for both work and play. But 12 years later, the way people use technology has evolved. Just like you cannot imagine yourself using a mobile phone which is 12 years old, Windows XP and Office 2003 are no longer adequate for the new, always-on world that we live in,” said Amrita Sapre, Windows Business Group Lead for Microsoft Malaysia.

“When Windows XP was launched in October 2001, notebooks were brick-like with short battery life, as well as very expensive. About 8% of the world was using the Internet in 2001 compared to 39% today . We had personal digital assistant (PDA) devices with no access to the internet while the devices we know and love today are touch enabled and almost always connected via social tools and apps. Yet, while internet access brings lots of goodness, it’s also a hotbed for cyber criminals who go where the people go. So it’s really critical that consumers who still own Windows XP devices recognise that it’s not just about upgrading to something new. This is about protecting your home devices from security threats, especially if you are using the internet. Windows XP wasn’t designed for today’s mobile, always-connected lives, or for protecting businesses and individuals from the millions of new online security threats that have emerged,” added Amrita.

“At the same time, it is great to see an accelerated decline of Windows XP users and an increase in the combined Windows 7 and 8 users over the last 12 months in Malaysia. We’ve been working closely with local organisations to raise awareness of the need to modernize, especially for SMEs,” she explained.

Many consumers may brush off these security threats, thinking that malicious software and hackers will never target them. In reality, however, the personal information that have been amassed and shared throughout the years are valuable payloads for hackers. In addition, Microsoft’s latest Security Intelligence Report (Vol. 15) found Windows XP SP3 to be 5.68 times more vulnerable than Windows 8 RTM, along with a staggering 82.4% higher malware infection rate. The math is simple: the odds of one getting compromised and losing valuable personal information on a Windows XP machine is far higher than on a modern, Windows 8 devices. Furthermore, the average cost of a severe security breach for SMEs is US$54,000 to US$100,000 .

Dr. Amirudin Abdul Wahad, CEO of Cybersecurity Malaysia has also previously commented, “Whether you’re an SMB or consumer in Malaysia, the dangers of continued use of XP are real and the risks should not be under-estimated. Windows XP is three generations behind Microsoft’s most modern operating system so continuing to use PCs with XP is similar to driving a car without a seat belt or a motorbike without a helmet. The risks are real and the only way to protect yourself and the organization is to upgrade.”

Making The Switch And Getting To Modern

Retiring a product is a normal part of the product lifecycle. While most Microsoft software is supported for 10 years, Windows XP has been supported for more than 12 years, longer than any other Windows version.

To minimize this risk, consumers must upgrade to newer operating systems that not only offer enhanced security features like built-in firewall, anti-virus, and rootkit malware protection. Microsoft’s partners like Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba have also continued to innovate will new form factors such as tablets and convertibles with a wide range of affordable choices to suit any lifestyle. Windows 8.1 is also well optimized for both touch and non-touch scenarios, where the user may prefer to a mouse and keyboard.

According to Amrita, “Cost should no longer be a barrier. The average cost of a PC today is 40% less than in 2002. Millions of consumers in Malaysia have already made the move to Windows 8.1 and are enjoying the benefits of a clean, fast and integrated user experience.”

In addition, together with Office 365, Windows 8.1 offers a faster, safer, more productive and more personal experience that supports both work and personal life - from multi-tasking on Word, PowerPoint, email, while watching videos and music to connecting with friends and families. Cutting-edge productivity features built into Windows 8.1also include seamless cloud connectivity to OneDrive for storing documents; and an app store that contains more than 140,000 apps, including built-in favorites such as Mail, Calendar, and Skype.

Companies still on Windows XP and Office 2003 are missing out on tangible benefits of modernizing their IT investments from dramatically enhanced security, broad device choice to meet the needs of a mobile workforce, higher user productivity, and lower total cost of ownership through improved management capabilities. Windows 8.1 and Office 365 have also been designed specifically for today’s work environment. These new technologies provide people with a consistent and personalized experience no matter which device they are using or where they are working, enabling them to collaborate with colleagues and get business done more efficiently.

“In this digital age, we identify with the idea of being technologically ready in our operations to ensure the best possible service to our customers. We are a young startup, full of energy and buzzing with ideas, and we are sure the new Windows 8 devices and Office 365 will help portray a tech-savvy image to our customers,” said Melissa Lee, Managing Director of PerkPool, a local startup focused on providing employee benefits to other SMEs through leveraging bulk orders and winner of Microsoft’s recent “Get To Modern” contest.

“I look forward to experiencing seamless, more integrated and accessible user experience that comes with Windows 8 and Office 365. In order to manage and drive our business, Microsoft is definitely lending a helping hand by providing their technology expertise and full support by assuring our IT needs are taken care of which allows us to focus on managing and driving our business well, all with the help of Microsoft’s technology solutions,” Mellissa concluded.

Millions of other SMEs and individuals in Malaysia have already made the switch and are enjoying the benefits of a modern operating system and an advanced office software suite. Upgrading is easy and affordable, even for businesses and individuals who consider themselves to be non-tech-savvy users. Whether it is through buying new PCs from the broad range of Windows 8.1 devices on offer or upgrading existing PCs, SMEs will find it effortless with the help of special offers, migration assistance, and other helpful tools found at http://www.microsoft.com/business/en-my.

Amrita added: “The modern workforce requires the tools to allow them to stay productive anytime, anywhere, while businesses have an ever increasing need to protect data and ensure security, compliance and manageability. Windows 8.1 and Office 365 are designed with these needs in mind. These are the real needs that a 12-year-old OS can no longer address.”

Two New Free Tools To Migrate From Windows XP

Microsoft today launched two new free tools to help users migrate from Windows XP:
• Free Windows XP migration tool: PCmover Express for Windows XP. Microsoft has partnered with Laplink to provide PCmover Express for Windows XP, which copies a user’s files and settings from a Windows XP PC to a new device running Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. PCmover Express will be available for download www.windowsxp.com; and
• Windows OS automatic detection website: AmIrunningXP.com. For customers unsure of what version of Windows they are using, Microsoft is launching AmIRunningXP.com, a site designed to automatically detect if a PC is running Windows XP or a newer version of Windows like Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. If Windows XP is detected, the site provides links to more information on Windows XP end of support and guidance on how to upgrade to a modern OS.

“Whether it’s you, your family and loved ones, or your business - don’t be exposed to risk an unprotected PC. Upgrade to a Windows 8.1 device and Office 365 today, which contains everything you already need and love, and more,” said Amrita.

To find out more about or to buy Windows 8.1, please visit: www.windows.com

To find out more about, to try, or to buy the New Office, please visit: www.office.com