Microsoft asks for help coaxing users to ditch Windows XP

Microsoft is impoloring its technically astute customers to help friends and family who are still running Windows XP get rid of the soon-to-be-retired operating system.

The Redmond, Washington company’s appeal was akin to General Motors asking customers to help the Detroit automaker sell new 2014 Cadillac Escalades, or General Mills asking consumers to convince friends to switch from their monochrome Cheerios breakfast cereal to something more colorful, like Trix or Lucky Charms.

“Today marks 60 days until the end of support for Windows XP and we need your help spreading the word to ensure people are safe and secure on modern up-to-date PCs,” said Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc, a spokesperson who frequently blogs for the firm. “As a reader of this blog, it’s unlikely you are running Windows XP on your PC. However, you may know someone who is and have even served as their tech support.”

Microsoft will deliver the last public patches for Windows XP on April 8, after which users will be on their own, and—as security professionals have pointed out—be in the crosshairs of cybercriminals.

LeBlanc suggested readers assist others in either upgrading their current Windows XP system to Windows 8.1—assuming the hardware is up to snuff—or help them purchase a new PC to replace their aged machine.

He drew the line at asking that they pitch a few dollars into the new PC pot for those friends and family members.

LeBlanc’s pitch was the most flagrant by Microsoft so far in its years-long drumbeat to smother Windows XP, and an unprecedented plea that could easily be viewed as a desperate, last-ditch move to suppress XP.

One reader certainly seemed to think so. “My friends and family will kill me if their PCs are upgraded to Windows 8.1,” contended peter jj in a comment appended to LeBlanc’s blog.

:story: PCWorld