Microsoft to inform Windows XP users of end of support via popup

Microsoft plans to notify current Windows XP users of the April 8 end of support by onscreen pop-up notifications starting on Saturday. XP is almost 13 years old and has proven to be a great success, but Microsoft wants users to upgrade to newer OSes, which are more secure - and provide easier integration and compliance.

Microsoft is using the PCmover Express service designed to copy data and settings from XP machines to a newer version of Windows. There are a number of different software tools available that should help make switching easier, though businesses hopefully have some type of migration plans of some sort in place.

Users either refusing - or are unable - to upgrade from XP to Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 face an even higher number of potential security threats.

XP still controls almost 29 percent of the worldwide desktop OS market, indicating a large number of users are about to upgrade to a newer OS.