Microsoft drops support for XP
Users in need of a new suite will have to upgrade
Dubai: Microsoft has confirmed that the upcoming Office 2013 will not support Windows XP or Vista, meaning users who need or want a new suite will have to upgrade to Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2012 to run it.
Users will also need a computer with at least a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM for the 32-bit version (2GB for the 64-bit version), at least 3GB of free hard disk space and a graphics card that can provide at least 1,024-by-576 resolution.
The PC specs shouldn’t be a challenge for most users. But the OS requirement may prove problematic.
Vista users have been dropping tremendously, most of them likely upgrading to Windows 7. Recent stats from Net Applications showed Vista’s market share at less than 7 per cent in June.
But Windows XP is hanging on after more than ten years.
Though Windows 7 is likely to claim the top spot this month, XP still holds more than 40 per cent of the market, according to Net Applications.
Some XP computers are too old to even run Windows 8 so it’s probably better to just buy a whole new computer at that point.
Extended technical support for Windows XP will also end in April 2014, which means no more patches, bug fixes, or other updates.
Microsoft has revealed no release date for Office 2013.
But even by the time Office 2013 launches, XP is still expected to hold a healthy chunk of the market, leaving a lot of people unable to run the new suite.
The easiest is that people on Windows XP or Vista machines can upgrade to Windows 8 for only $40 (Dh146.92) through a digital download once it launches on October 26.
