14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently confirmed that its freeware anti-virus product Security Essentials would continue to work on Windows XP after its retirement and the company revealed another security product that will still provide support for this OS version beyond April.
The Malicious Software Removal Tool, an anti-malware app that helps you get rid of dangerous software, will still be available for Windows XP users after end-of-support comes, the company told us in a mailed statement.
“Yes, Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool is aligned with the company’s AntiMalware engines and signatures and as such, the removal tool will continue to be provided for Windows XP through July 14, 2015,” a company spokesperson explained.
Of course, Microsoft explained that even though so many security apps would keep working on Windows XP after April, users might get a false sense of security because it would be practically impossible to keep an unsupported operating system completely secure.
“However, it’s really important to note that PCs running Windows XP after April 8 2014, should not be considered truly protected, and it is important that business customers and consumers migrate to a current supported operating system so they can receive regular security updates to protect their computer from malicious attacks,” the spokesperson added.
“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.”
Most anti-virus vendors have already confirmed that they are planning to offer support for Windows XP for at least two more years, so the 13-year-old operating system might still live on in one way or another. It remains to be seen how many users actually realize the risks of staying on XP and decide to jump ship before April.