If you're still using the much beloved Windows XP operating system, you're now officially in for a rough ride. In short, new hardware out on the market is supporting XP to a decreasing degree. As with Moore's Law wherein the capability of computer technology doubles every 18 months, the availability of drivers compatible with Windows XP is decreasing by arguably the same rate. Ergo, if for whatever reason, you are compelled to continue supporting XP in your environment, stick to older hardware. Whether you keep it longer or buy it used, you'll experience much greater success in finding available drivers for Windows XP.
Particularly since the release of Intel's 8th generation chipsets, hardware drivers are more commonly exclusionary of XP as well as Vista (no big shock…) We've recently witnessed some new hardware released that only has about 20-30% support for new drivers. Of course, this will be relative to OEM component manufacturer.
None of this is surprising. This trend is entirely consistent with XP's prominent predecessor, Windows 2000 which was officially deprecated in June of 2005 after 6 years in the field.
Big Bang has a history of supporting deprecated Windows operating systems at least through their extended support as our customers often require or desire to use legacy operating systems. For instance, we supported Windows 2000 until it was no longer feasible (sometime around July of 2010, a full 5 years past its official support termination). The main deciding factor, outside of evolving kernel code, is obviously the production of drivers by OEM's. While drivers may be available for older hardware, as discussed previously, newer hardware produced either cannot support the old methods of accessing features or OEM's lose interest in producing drivers to suit the newer components. That said, although we at Big Bang have many tricks up our sleeves, we do not write our own drivers.
So, use Windows XP at your own risk and if you choose to continue, get yourself some previous generation hardware. Either way, Big Bang will be there as long as we can to help you make it work!
End of support refers to the date when Microsoft no longer provides automatic fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. This is the time to make sure you have the latest available service pack installed. Without Microsoft support, you will no longer receive security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software that can steal your personal information. For more information go to Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
* Support for Windows 7 RTM without service packs ended on April 9, 2013. Be sure to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 today to continue to receive support and updates.