How To Update Internet Explorer On Windows Xp

On May 1^st Microsoft released a patch for Net Explorer that fixed the Zero-24-hour interval vulnerability for all versions of Internet Explorer (IE6-IE11). The update internet explorer for xp is remarkable considering Microsoft officially stated that they ceased support for Windows XP and IE up to version 8. IE 9 volition have support until 2017 according to Microsoft.

So what does this all mean? That Microsoft is a compulsive liar nearly ending support for IE8 and Windows XP? Not exactly, although y'all could certainly brand a case for it if any more patches are released for XP or IE8. This patch brings upwardly a few principal questions that deserve some thought.

If they ended support for Windows XP why did they release this patch?

There are multiple factors that contribute to the reply. First and foremost the Zero-day vulnerability was a massive security breach that would have pushed many users to use browsers other than IE. This is obviously terrible for Microsoft so a fast update was expected. Now there are a few reasons why Microsoft could have decided to patch older, unsupported systems.

The first being over a quarter of desktops still apply Windows XP. Upsetting a quarter of your user base by not updating security on a web browser that is congenital into their operating organisation is not how y'all breed loyal customers. Non patching this major security vulnerability would have pushed many off of XP, and perhaps off PC'due south entirely.

The 2nd reason is the timing of the security breach. Win XP and IE8 back up was pulled on April 8, and within a month the nil-day vulnerability was discovered. It happened too fast. A potentially disastrous flaw that could make using XP far besides unsafe to use happened well-nigh instantly (in the grand scheme of things). Brand no mistake Microsoft really wants XP to disappear, but they want the airplane to get downwardly slowly. They want the aeroplane to glide for a while with no turbulence, eventually landing softly in a field or on a runway. If they didn't patch this flaw that airplane would accept crashed and burned with no survivors.

The final reason is the severity of the issue. Had this been a smaller vulnerability I accept no doubtfulness Microsoft would accept put up the Windows 8.1 sign and said expert luck with XP. They would have pointed to the flaw as a sign of the hereafter of unsupported XP. Information technology all would have played out nicely for Microsoft, but instead there'south an piece of cake way for hackers to proceeds equal user rights. Non exactly an hands ignored issue, and so Microsoft was forced to fix information technology.

I know what all of this likely has you thinking, considering I've heard it many, many times when this topic is discussed.

XP does exactly what I need it to, I'g used to it, Microsoft volition clearly patch any large problems and Windows viii is trash. Why would I e'er change it?

The old, "If information technology ain't broke, don't fix it" adage is ever brought up when I speak to XP users. The truth of the matter is they're actually correct… for now.

XP works fine, information technology'southward still used effectually the globe and people take grown very comfortable with it. In the future withal XP is going to have quite a few issues, and major ones at that. If Microsoft doesn't desire you to apply XP, you can bet they will force yous to switch. New security breaches volition appear and Microsoft won't care one bit. Once again, they'll just put up the Windows 8 sign, tell you to upgrade every time a issues appears, and merely force a new operating system down your throat. They want you to switch to a new Os so they brand money, and somewhen even the most stubborn will have to listen.

XP was released for sale October 25^th 2001, and and then XP has had an astonishing 13 twelvemonth run. xiii years of relevance is something unheard of in the software world. This brings upwardly some other, more puzzling question.

Why won't XP just die?

I love this question because information technology started as a nifty story of success, and now is but a thorn in the side of Microsoft. What started out equally the poster male child of Microsoft products is now preventing them from selling their new desktops. People love XP so much they don't come across a betoken in upgrading because XP is only that practiced.

It won't burn out because information technology is being used in big corporations. The older, larger corporations invested a lot of money into their It when XP was yet being sold. It was new and far improve than older systems. Back so an upgrade to XP seemed similar the obvious choice as information technology did everything a corporation could want. It won't die because it still does everything a corporation could want and dream of. These are absolutely massive clients for Microsoft who don't want to reinvest in Information technology since it can be so expensive. XP still works for them and an upgrade seems like an unnecessary cost.

Now Microsoft has backed XP for this long in fear of upsetting these big clients, but it'southward been thirteen years. Back up is cut and these corporations still don't desire to reinvest the time and money into a new Information technology organization.

The time spent upgrading, a sometimes overlooked cistron, is actually pretty pregnant. According to interviews done past www.techrepublic.com it took companies nigh 18 months to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7. I imagine the learning curve for some of the employees was considerably longer than that. Out of the 12 CIO's interviewed v said they were not ready, or did not want to alter just yet.

But they, like everyone else, will have to.

But when?

I think the reply is that no i really knows. Microsoft stated that they are aiming to bring the crude 25% of all desktops running XP downwards to 20% by the end of 2014. This sounds pretty realistic, but after that it'due south difficult to definitively say when the number volition outset to plummet. Originally Microsoft had aimed to bring it down to 10% by the start of 2014, earlier they had even dropped back up for XP. With Windows viii being terrible and a few other factors already mentioned that goal didn't pan out. Win 8.1 is actually a nice improvement, over Win viii that is, every bit I have discussed before (Shameless plug for my Win 8.1 blog post ) but it's very unlike from Win XP. This makes people even more reluctant to upgrade therefore delaying the end of XP even further.

Windows 7 was pretty similar to XP, and is my personal favourite operating system. Microsoft doesn't sell it to the public anymore, and they charge a chip extra to sell information technology to corporations. So, unfortunately, Windows 7 just isn't a viable choice anymore.

Then hither'south my theory, people are only going to effort and wait as long every bit possible in an endeavor to make it to the side by side operating system. Windows 9 will hopefully be a little closer to XP and 7, and we tin all pray it won't experience like you're using a desktop sized phone.

However XP decides to go down it's had an admittedly fantastic run and will be remembered with fondness by its users for many years to come. Perhaps it'll fifty-fifty get a page in a history textbook i day.

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Sai Kit Chu

Sai Kit Chu is a Product Manager with CurrentWare. He enjoys helping businesses improve their employee productivity & data loss prevention efforts through the deployment of the CurrentWare solutions.