14 DAY TRIAL // Windows XP remains a surprisingly popular operating system less than six months before its retirement date, so Microsoft keeps urging everyone to make the move to a newer platform as soon as possible.
Redmond’s efforts are also supported by authorities across the world, who believe that Windows XP is no longer a secure operating system.
Transport for London, for example, is planning to migrate all its Windows XP workstations to Windows 7 or even Mac OS X, and recommends all British users to do the same.
Steve Townsend, chief information officer of TfL, told V3 in an interview that Apple’s Mac OS X should really be considered an option right now, while Windows 8 is yet to be in the cards for the time being.
“We used to do desktop refreshes every five years, hence why we are now in an XP environment, but we need to move to a constant wave of refreshes. The IT industry is moving so fast and the latest browser editions don't really sit well with Windows XP,” he was quoted as saying.
“[Early on] those staff who are being given access to new Windows desktops will be moved to Windows 7. Personally I have always been an Apple man. I've owned Macs for 10 years or more, not just since it's got trendy.”
As far as Windows 8 is concerned, Townsend explained that he first wanted to see others in the industry deploying the operating system and only then make the move to this modern platform.
“Windows 8 is in our sights but it is relatively new. We are not a bleeding-edge test bed for technology and want to see Windows 8 deployed across the industry first so we can learn from mistakes.”
At this point, Windows XP is holding a market share bigger than 30 percent, which is a bit worrying for Microsoft, as it plans to discontinue the OS on April 8, 2014. Windows 8, on the other hand, powers less than 8 percent of computers worldwide.