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Windows XP will continue to get security updates in China

by Mark Tyson on 3 March 2014, 11:45

Tags: Bing, Windows XP

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Microsoft confirmed Sunday that it is making an exception to the end of extended support for Windows XP in China. PC World reports that Microsoft is partnering with several Chinese internet firms to provide updates and support for the aging OS in that country – past the 8th April deadline. Meanwhile there has been speculation that Microsoft is prepping a version of Windows 8.1 that will be distributed for free. The 'Windows 8.1 with Bing' OS could be used to make 'Bingbooks' at Chomebook rivalling prices suggests The Inq.

China contains lots of PCs with Windows XP on them. It is apparently widely pirated and installed upon nearly 60 per cent of the systems which connect to the internet in China. As well as the piracy problem there is a big security problem though, as 70 per cent of the computers sporting Windows XP haven't ever patched their systems with Windows Update in the past 13 years, according to Microsoft.

From a machine translation of Microsoft's Weibo post you can see that Chinese internet giant Tencent is going to provide extra security to Windows XP users. Also Microsoft reminds users of the enhanced utility and security of its new OSes. Perhaps they can install...

Windows 8.1 with Bing

Just before the weekend we saw a few rumours about a Windows 8.1 SKU called 'Windows 8.1 with Bing', being free or available at cut price. Pundits have guessed that this version of Windows might make money for Microsoft by bundling Bing services. In the US users can get 'rewards' by using the Bing toolbar – perhaps that toolbar installation would be an important part of the free OS offering.

ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley has asked her contacts about this edition of Windows and it seems, for now, like it is "a kind of placeholder for the future when consumer operating systems are, basically, free". So it is an interesting development that is being worked upon but not ready for prime-time. However, if Microsoft want to combat Google's ChromeOS with a free versions of Windows, sooner would be better.



HEXUS Forums :: 18 Comments

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Could Microsoft possibly get even more schizophrenic?
Will be exciting to see, when the first post-8 April Windows XP update arrives… ;)
aidanjt
Could Microsoft possibly get even more schizophrenic?
I'm not sure what you are getting at. Microsoft are worried that their operating system is being eroded by people using platforms which satisfy their needs, but cost a lot less (ie Tablets). They are also responding to the fact than an OS isn't really what's wanted, but an ecosystem. People want their apps, music, games, videos etc.

Having a product offering for that space makes sense.

Otherwise you behave like Xerox, be too focused.
TheAnimus
People want their apps, music, games, videos etc.
This person doesn't, i want to choose my own apps, music, games, videos etc.
If it is Microsoft offering those then fine, but if it isn't i want to be the one doing the choosing.

What gets me is in the article it says 70 percent of Chinese users haven't used Windows update in 13 years, why would people not keep their system up to date.
Meanwhile there has been speculation that Microsoft is prepping a version of Windows 8.1 that will be distributed for free.
So now they're planning to GIVE 8.1 away - not exactly a ringing endorsement.