Microsoft extends some XP security support

Operating system still set for April axe but vendor extends some support programmes

Microsoft is planning on extending some security support for Windows XP past the widely publicised end-of-support date in April.

Thirteen-year-old Windows XP was always planned to be axed this April, and last year Microsoft, channel firms and migration specialists began to speak up about the benefits of migrating, a process which can take more than year.

After the cut-off date of 8 April, Microsoft will cease support for the OS which the software giant claims could leave users and businesses continuing to use it open to a range of security risks.

In order to combat such risks and help businesses complete their migration, Microsoft has said it will continue to provide updates to some anti-malware programmes until 14 July next year.

For enterprise customers, the extension applies to System Centre Endpoint Protection, Windows Intune and Forefront Client Security and Endpoint Protection products which run on Windows XP. For consumers, the Security Essentials product running on XP will continue to be supported until summer 2015.

But Microsoft insisted that, despite the lifeline, XP will still be an unsupported OS from 8 April.

"Microsoft has announced the Windows XP end-of-support date of 8 April," it said in a blog post. "After this date, Windows XP will no longer be a supported operating system.

"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."