As we expect for some time, Microsoft has finally ended support for its Windows Vista operating systems this week. The change comes into into effect from April 11, in the very same day Microsoft has begun rolling out Windows 10 Creators Update to all its users.
The Windows Vista has been receiving some software updates for the last 10 years, but the Microsoft has decided that the time they have to move on.
The company notes on support website say, “As of April 11, 2017, Windows Vista customers will no longer receive any new security updates, non-security hotfixes, paid or free assisted support options or online technical content updates from the Microsoft.”
Data coming from the netmarketshare shows that move would impact only about 0.72% of all desktop users out there, but that number is still a significant figure, considering many of the Windows Vista computers are still used in various business environments.
From a November report in Duo Security, 65% of the security company’s clients’ still use Vista. The threat this poses to the whole enterprise networks is amplified by the continuous use of a still older operating system within the business environments: Windows XP. This platform currently has around 7.44% of the desktop operating system market, yet it has not received updates since 2014.
Since the support has now come top an end, Windows Vista will continue to work just as before, only thing is that it will become more vulnerable to security risks. Furthermore, Internet Explorer 9, which is running on Vista, is not supported either, meaning that the users are exposed to even more threats while they are browsing the web with that application.
“Also, as more software and hardware manufacturers continue to optimise for more recent versions of Windows, you can expect to encounter more apps and devices that do not work with Windows Vista,” Microsoft says.